Carter Ray – Forever, Plus One (2023)
“A man’s got to know his limitations…” – this is one of my favourite Clint Eastwood quotes, taken from the film Magnum Force. Carter Ray may know his limitations, but he completely exceeds them transcending what it means to be an artist in the 21st century. Featuring in various publications, such as TPJL News, York Calling, Sinusoidal Music, We Write About Music and Music For All, Ray is reaching audiences across the globe. Further accolades include the award of ‘Best Drama’ at the QueerX LA Film Festival for his short film, The Change Up.
An influential advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, US-based Carter Ray has been documenting his transition from female to male online. Not only is he accomplishing his aim of raising awareness of gender identity and being trans, but also hopes to reach young trans folk declaring validation and “the belief that no dream is too big…” A theme set in both his filmography and his music – the latest track being ‘Forever, Plus One’.
Following his single ‘Heavenly Bodies’, ‘Forever, Plus One’ adopts a softer, more sensitive approach as compared to the previous release. Reminiscent of Charlie Puth and Justin Bieber with an Ed Sheeran sliver running through the track, ‘Forever, Plus One’ is intimate and elegant with a nostalgic 90s/early-2000 flair. What I find intriguing is how the ballad has a simplistic ambience but is a harmonic, kaleidoscopic combination of piano, drums, synths and a hopelessly beautiful string section interspersed through the melody. Add Ray’s mellifluous vocals and you have a song to pick at your heart, send chills down your spine and leave you utterly intoxicated.
Many pop singles such as ‘Forever, Plus One’ have a mild melancholic tinge to the heavenly melody; however, ‘Forever, Plus One’ removes the melancholy replacing it with an intense hopefulness. Penned as a tribute to his wife, Bird, Ray tells us how we can come back from toxic relationships where we believe unconditional love does not exist to a romance filled with pure bliss and unselfish acceptance. Vulnerable and innocent, but mature with a sophisticated tone, Carter Ray embraces listeners and leaves them a little tearful with ‘Forever, Plus One’.
For more from Carter Ray, check out his Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
