Following the release of her first full-length album, My 21st Century Blues, Raye returns with a new track, “Genesis.” While her previous works are masterpieces in their own right, this song stands out for its raw passion, intricate composition, and unique personality. “Genesis.” may indeed be one of her finest creations to date, proving Raye’s continuous growth as an artist. More than that, “Genesis.” is arguably a strong contender for Song of the Year!
Discover with us what makes this track unique and masterful and let us know your opinion in the comments!
“Genesis.” Act I, II & III
The song is structured in three distinct yet interconnected acts, varying in genre, style, flow and thematic perspective. The journey begins with the initial “talking stage,” switching to R&B and rap in the second act, and finally ending with a ’50s rockabilly and bluesy jazz vibe.
Beyond these genres shifts, “Genesis.” crosses three completely different atmospheres. The initial act is a bluesy and theatrical monologue that mirrors Raye’s only full-length album My 21st Century Blues‘ first song “Introduction.” The song then proceeds with a more aggressive and contemporary second act, finally concluding with edgy yet classic climax of energy that pays homage to the music of the past.
Despite the stark contrasts, the three sections blend seamlessly. Although each transition is defined, the flow never stops, and the initial sense of desperation progresses and results into the super positivism of the final section. And while the first act explores Raye’s personal emotions, the final act includes her audience in the manifestation of the “happily ever after” that seems to be not only a dream, but also an imminent reality.
Christianity and Religion: the End and the Beginning in Metaphors
The richness of detail in “Genesis.” explains the time Raye took before finally dropping the song since she first started teasing it. One of the key elements worth investigating is the connection between “Genesis.” and religion.
The Metaphor Behind the Title
As the title suggests, “Genesis.” is entirely based on the religious metaphor of birth and new life, or, in Raye’s case, rebirth. The song addresses concepts such as depression, substance abuse, addiction to phones and electronic devices, the need to feel loved, the desire to discover one’s worth – concepts that seem to refer to the idea of “end” in terms of emotional value and conclusion. The song’s key concept in fact is not the mere description of feelings and problems, but rather the need to see the end of this situation in order to be able to “see the light.”
In particular, the initial overwhelming depression sets the foundations for a path of growth, hinting at the need for light and change. In the first act, Raye acknowledges her issues and distances herself from immediate escapes such as phone or substances. The final solution is clear: overcoming addictions, thus preventing her return to the past, is the only solution for the current state she finds herself drowning in.
The Meaning of Seven
The number seven plays a significant role in the track. It references the number of days it took the Christian God to create the world, aligning with the concept of genesis itself. Moreover, this symbolism is present in the song’s exact seven-minute length, adding another layer of meaning to the track.
Additionally, the figure of the devil appears as well. As per usual, the black angel is used as a metaphor for darkness and the abyss Raye virtually keeps falling in. The devil initially appears in the song’s first act in the verse:
Curtains closed, bed bound, amphetamines
Mmm, and this devil on my shoulder, man, I’m tryna to shake him off
The figure appears once again in the second act in the following line:
I see a sad little sinner in the mirror
The devil works hard like my liver
I don’t wanna be alive, but I don’t wanna die
A fistful of pills, you’re a nobody
The word appears a total of six times throughout the song, which is, infamously, the number associated with the devil, ultimately highlighting Raye’s meticulous attention to detail in the creation of “Genesis.”
“The Only Thing Which Darkness Cannot Coexist is Light”
In opposition to the devil and its dark connotations, impersonating substance abuse, self-hatred, and depression, light serves as a core and recurring element throughout the entire work. The song’s title is immediately explained in the line, “The only thing which darkness cannot coexist is the light.”
Present in all sections of the song, light is the element that connects the three acts, defining a plot that starts in darkness, develops through struggle, and finally resolves in a message of hope, self-trust and personal growth.
Let there be light
Self-references and the continuity of Raye’s work
The lyricism not only portrays a detailed picture of Raye’s current state of mind, but also a comparison to her past emotions, with multiple references to her previous work. In doing so, she provides a sense of continuity in her musical and stylistic evolution while leaning into a more jazzy and bluesy harmony. An example of continuity appears in the title, where the period follows the format chosen for her previous releases, underlining the theme of continuity throughout her work. In this way, Raye seems to recollect memories and emotions, returning to her past and creating a vivid and clear bridge with her old self to shape a new image for persona for the future.
Why is “Genesis.” so good?
Besides the production and rich metaphors behind the song, what truly makes “Genesis.” a powerhouse is Raye’s artistic vision and musical experience. Her voice, notably strong and beautifully refined, gives life to the song with flawless vibratos, meticulous scat and angelic harmonizations.
In addition, Raye’s great visualization and storytelling allow her work to connect with her audience, creating a bond between the listener and her personal world. Through elegant yet raw lyricism, Raye manages to evoke images that the public can feel and empathize with, while, thanks to her incredible vocal abilities, she defines characters and roles inside her head, awakening the painful, overwhelming and arguably invincible thoughts corrupting her mind. Behind great lyricism lies in fact the accurate portrayal of its meaning. In this sense, Raye’s precise stylistic choices (such as hitting higher notes when impersonating her demons) allow these dark thoughts to take control over the song, manipulating her life’s narrative.
“It is so much more than just a song”
After the release, Raye went on her social media and shared an open-hearted reflection on her work on “Genesis.”
“It kind of hurts a bit to call this piece of music a ‘single’ because it is so much more than just a song to me.
This song is a 7 minute labour of love I have been working on since 2022, I have chipped away at, scrutinised, replaced, redone, passionately sculpted this song to become what you will hear in 7 days.There is a Nina Simone quote which is everything to me: ‘It is an artists duty to reflect the times,’ and the best way I believe I can try to do this is through my art, and I have tried my utmost to do so inside this song. Inside my dear Genesis.”
