On her long awaited debut album Debo Ray, the Boston based artist bursts on to the scene.

This is a record that is both reclamation and revelation. And it is a fearless one too with its exploration of musical genres as well as themes of identity, truth and artistic power.

From the opening notes of “Tell Me What You Want,” Ray makes her intentions clear. The track folds slick R&B rhythms into a spitfire rap verse, a bold and immediate sign that Ray’s musical instincts refuse to stay in one lane.

Her voice is a chameleon. Breathy and intimate one moment, bold and commanding the next. Although the album orbits R&B and soul, it is laced with unexpected detours.

“Feelin’ Lucky” bounces with a playful pop sparkle, while “You Read Me Wrong” takes an unexpected turn with the edge of electric guitar, layered vocals and a tight drum groove adding a fresh twist to the sound.

There are some jazz fingerprints all over Debo Ray, not just in the harmonic choices or instrumental flourishes, but in the spirit of improvisation that runs through every arrangement.

But what grounds this album is Ray’s emotional candor. “Gaslight” is devastating in its directness, navigating the toxic terrain of manipulation with clarity as well as fire. “Take That”, which is the final track and perhaps the heart of the record, is a triumph of self possession. You can really feel the quiet power of someone who is no longer asking for permission to speak and share their story.

Ray’s songwriting is personal without being insular. Her stories are hers, but they speak to anyone who has been underestimated, held back, or told to shrink. And there is healing in these songs too. Not because they wrap things up neatly, but because they are unafraid to show the mess, the beauty and the transformation.

Debo shares:

“This album marks a change in my creative life. After many years of interpreting the music of others, I decided to put my life in all it’s complexity out there in hopes that others are feeling some of the same things and we can connect and maybe I can bring some joy and peace.

It’s been a bit daunting as I’ve always been reticent to be too “out there” with my feelings but very rewarding thus far and I’m changing for the better in many ways as a result”.

Debo Ray, then, isn’t just a promising debut. This is the sound of an artist in full bloom. With fearless musical arrangements, a magnetic vocal presence as well as commitment to her art, Debo Ray has carved out a space that is entirely her own.

You can find out more about Debo Ray on her Website and social media channels Facebook and Instagram

Stream music on Spotify and Apple Music

About Debo Ray

Debo Ray is a Grammy nominated vocalist, composer and educator whose work spans jazz, pop, soul and beyond.

A graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a background in classical composition and vocal performance, Debo is well known for her music and her electrifying screen presence.

Debo Ray now steps fully into her own spotlight with a sound that is as dynamic as it is emotionally honest.