Raie – Young Love (2023)
This might be The Other Side Reviews’ introduction to singer-songwriter Raie, but she has entertained the masses with her insatiable voice for decades. Embracing music at a young age, she sang for audiences at various contests in Scotland. The UK-based singer made her debut on tour with guitarist Dan Cochrane and has continued to perform at top live music venues including the Purcell Room, The Albany Theatre, and Hammersmith Apollo. Yet, while her confident and engaging performances win her followers at gigs, her music is turning heads across the globe winning hearts far beyond her UK borders.
Drawing on a combined love of Americana and country, Raie and her band (who all happen to have illustrious careers spanning…oh, a while) create music that is “edgy, rich and full of real-life experiences…” Using this personal narrative, ‘Young Love’ is an intimate insight to the first real love of one’s life and besotted innocence. Donny Osmond called it “puppy love” with his retro pop twist, but Raie captures the pure passion behind the naïve sentiment with an Americana-filled blaze of glory.
The theme may be a seemingly simple one, but the human heart is a complex thing, and who knows the intricacy of a besotted teenager? Penned as a real-life tale of Raie and her first beau at age 15, the poetic words of ‘Young Love’ read like something from a young girl’s diary. Raie’s bold, rich, warm vocals embrace the passion behind this infatuation; however, a sliver of vulnerability and fearfulness of how joy can quickly turn to tragedy flutters on the edges. Trailing off with the miserable words “you are gone” turns a cheerful melody into something more poignant.
Lyrics and rich vocals aside, ‘Young Love’ is swept up in a warm veil of Americana for people to enjoy. Strong drums are matched with dynamic guitars oscillating between the forcefulness of rock and the softness of country. Infectious riffs collide with emotive vocals giving the nostalgic laidback track a contemporary edginess transcending decades, distance and generations. In line with the rollercoaster of emotions, the scorching guitar slides lifting our souls; but it merely ends in a flip with downcast tones to peter out in a tear-jerking softness.
For more from Raie, check out her official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Discover more astounding Americana tunes on The Other Side Reviews Americana playlist:
