The thrill remains undiminished for Raye, as the "Born Again" singer (Rachel Keen by birth) shares insights into where she envisions her career headed following three Grammy nominations last year and a 2026 nod for Best Music Film for her concert video Live At the Royal Albert Hall. For Raye, her most thrilling prospect is introducing a new collection of songs to her fans with her still-untitled sophomore album, which will include her 2025 single "WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!".
"I'm hyper-fixated on that right now," the 28-year-old shared exclusively with E! News. "I'm just focused on the album. I just want to do a great job." And Raye is already working on how she'll perform her new songs on her accompanying tour, THIS TOUR MAY CONTAIN NEW MUSIC, which kicks off in Poland on Jan. 22.
"I don't want this album to sound like a studio album," she explained. "I don't want it to sound like it was made in the studio." Indeed, the "Escapism" artist feels most authentic when she's performing her songs for an audience. "The last two to three years of my life have been about live music," Raye continued. "I feel so myself on stage and sharing that moment with talented musicians who all bring their own personality and character to the performance."
Another aim for her next chapter? To create music that she wants to make and "be in control" of how she shares it. "The goal is to be art—music I love," Raye said. "Music that gives me butterflies inside of my stomach. The goals are that and that's really beautiful."
That's why saying yes to singing at the unveiling of Bloomingdale's 2025 Holiday Campaign, Happy Together, in New York City on Nov. 19 was a no-brainer. "I was very happy to be invited to sing at this very fabulous moment," Raye gushed, adding that she had a blast checking out the campaign's immersive store windows and magical in-store experiences. "I know this is a big Christmas moment and it was very, very beautiful. It was a very iconic moment."
And while she's certainly got her goals mapped out over the next year when it comes to her music, the "Oscar Winning Tears" artist isn't only prioritizing her career as of late. In fact, she's also nailed down a few requirements for her future husband—who she hopes to find in "three and a half years".
"I'm a words of affirmation person, that's my love language, so I need a communicator," Raye said. "Another thing I'm looking for—and I know they all say this on Love Island—but a sense of humor is very important. He's got to be charming, charismatic." She added, "Discipline is also very important."
