Ravyn Lenae releases 'Blue Island' album blending R&B and pop

Ravyn Lenae has issued her third studio album, Blue Island, a project she says is meant to free herself from “preconceived notions about Blackness” and the expectations placed on her as an R&B artist. The record expands her sound with pop‑tinged R&B, ’00s indie‑rock, ’80s new‑wave and electro‑funk elements, and includes tracks that shift midway, such as the synth‑pop “Saturday Night” and the sci‑fi‑esque “Wish You Well.”

The album features a collaboration with rapper Doechii on “Babygirl,” production by DJ Dahi, and contributions from multi‑instrumentalist Ely Rise and guitarist Flanafi. Its title references the Chicago suburb where Lenae was born, underscoring a homecoming theme as she experiments with the sounds of her upbringing while retaining her signature breathy soprano.