Raye Announces Second Album ‘This Music May Contain Hope’

British Grammy-nominated artist Raye has announced her second studio album, 'This Music May Contain Hope,' set to arrive on March 27, 2026. The release marks a significant moment for the BRIT Award and GRAMMY Award-winning performer, who is preparing for an extensive touring schedule that includes her own headline dates and supporting appearances at major international venues.

Background

Raye has established herself as one of Britain's most successful contemporary artists in recent years. The four-time Grammy Award-nominated singer has built a reputation for thoughtful, emotionally resonant music that resonates with audiences worldwide. Her first studio album laid the groundwork for her success, and this sophomore effort represents her next chapter as an artist.

The new album comes at a busy period in Raye's career. Beyond the album announcement, she is gearing up for two separate touring commitments that will keep her on the road throughout the first half of 2026 and into the fall. This dual touring schedule demonstrates the level of momentum she currently has in the music industry.

Key Details

The album is structured around a unique concept that divides the project into four distinct sections, each representing a different season. On the vinyl format, each side of the double-vinyl release represents one of these seasons. According to the artist's description, the album takes listeners on a sonic journey that begins with darkness and ends with light, suggesting a narrative arc across the entire project.

One of the album's standout tracks is 'Where Is My Husband?', which has already achieved global success and will be included on the full release. Pre-orders for the album are currently available through Raye's official store in both digital and physical formats.

The Tour Plans

Raye will launch her own headlining tour titled 'This Tour May Contain New Music,' which will take her across Europe and North America. The European dates begin in February 2026, with stops in Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Cologne, and Zurich. Following the initial European run, she will perform multiple nights in London and Dublin before heading to North America.

Her North American tour begins in April 2026 and includes performances at major venues across the United States and Canada, including stops in Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago, Montreal, Toronto, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and numerous other cities through May. Additionally, Raye will support Bruno Mars on the North American leg of his stadium tour 'The Romantic Tour,' which includes dates throughout September and October 2026 at major venues.

What This Means

The album announcement reflects Raye's evolution as an artist and her commitment to creating music with purpose and meaning. In discussing the project, she explained her philosophy behind the work and what she hopes listeners will take from it.

"Music is medicine, I've always said that. I guess I'm in the process of making medicine for myself that I can share with the world. I want us all to say to ourselves that it's going to be all right, and I'm going to have faith in the seeds that I've planted beneath the snow. I wanted to create something that is a hug, bed or soft place for that person who needs it."

This statement reveals Raye's intention to craft an album that offers comfort and hope to listeners during challenging times. The concept of seasons and the journey from darkness to light suggests she is exploring themes of change, growth, and resilience throughout the project.

For the music industry, the release represents another major album launch from a major British artist in 2026. The combination of strong pre-order availability, extensive touring plans, and an already successful single demonstrates confidence in the project's commercial and critical potential. The timing of the release, coming in late March, positions it well for spring and summer radio play and touring momentum.

The dual touring approach also shows how established artists are maximizing their visibility by both headlining their own shows and appearing as support acts at major stadium tours. This strategy allows Raye to reach both dedicated fans at her own concerts and new audiences at the Bruno Mars dates.

Fans interested in the album can pre-order it now, with the full release arriving on March 27, 2026.