Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s collaboration “Rein Me In” has set a new benchmark in U.K. chart history, securing its 16th consecutive week at No. 1 and becoming the longest-running No. 1 single by a British act. This achievement surpasses the previous record held by Wet Wet Wet’s “Love Is All Around,” which spent 15 weeks at the top in 1994, and ties with Bryan Adams’ “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” as the second-longest-running No. 1 single in Official U.K. Singles Chart history, behind Frankie Laine’s “I Believe” (18 weeks in 1953). The milestone marks a significant chapter in the song’s journey, which began over a year earlier. “Rein Me In” first appeared on Fender’s Mercury Prize-winning 2025 album People Watching and was later remixed with a new verse from Dean in 2025. The collaboration, which initially took 35 weeks to climb to No. 1, set a record for the longest ascent to the chart summit. Its eventual success in February 2026 was celebrated with a public-voted song of the year win at the 2026 BRIT Awards. Fender expressed his excitement about the record-breaking run, calling it “ridiculous” and highlighting the song’s universal appeal. He credited Olivia Dean’s contribution for expanding the track’s narrative, making it resonate with a broader audience. “There’s two sides to the story,” he said, adding that the song’s infectious energy has made it a “banger” that “officially” deserves its status. The achievement was also praised by industry figures. Ben Mortimer, president of Polydor Label Group (Fender’s label), emphasized the song’s rare quality and the team’s dedication to its growth. “Watching it build has been incredibly rewarding,” he said, noting that sustained success requires both talented artists and a committed team. Jo Charrington, president of Capitol U.K.#brit_awards #olivia_dean #rein_me_in #british_act #sam_fender
RAYE: THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. Album Review | Pitchfork The British singer’s second album is all curated melancholy and aestheticized heartache, winding its way through jazz, orchestral pop, and R&B with melodramatic flair. Rock bottom, for RAYE, has immaculate production value. On THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE., her second record, she renders despair beautiful in Parisian noir, adorned in a crimson dress, waterproof mascara, and Jimmy Choos that click-clack on wet cobblestone. The British singer narrates her heartbreak with a Bridget Jones charm: She’s seven Negronis deep, listening to Édith Piaf, indulging in a piece of chocolate cake. Even the thunder arrives on cue, accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra. This is curated melancholy, a 73-minute melodrama where sorrow is filtered through an Old Hollywood lens until it sparkles. “I’ll be sad and beautiful,” she pledges on “Winter Woman.”, and for the duration of the record, she never breaks character. There’s a reason behind this drama queen’s theatrics. Before My 21st Century Blues made RAYE the first woman to win Songwriter of the Year at the BRIT Awards, she spent seven years at Polydor watching her songs get shelved or handed to others. She’d had success with some singles, but claimed her label wouldn’t let her release a full album—so she left, and released her debut independently. Finally she held the microphone; this follow-up is the sound of someone who has decided she will never hand it back. In a pop industry that rewards front-loaded hooks, TikTok-ified bridges, and short runtimes, RAYE chooses to be inconvenient. She lets 17 tracks sprawl across four season-themed acts, favoring slow builds, spoken-word tangents, and four-, five-, six-minute songs that save their plot twists for the end. Some listeners might skip ahead. Their loss.#brit_awards #raye #pitchfork #polydor #london_symphony_orchestra
RAYE Reveals Tracklist for Upcoming Album 'This Music May Contain Hope' RAYE has unveiled the tracklist for her second studio album, This Music May Contain Hope, set to release on March 27. The project follows her award-winning debut, My 21st Century Blues, and includes previously released singles such as the hit "WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!" The album's title, which includes a playful line from the track "Choose your season, claim your title," hints at themes of resilience and self-discovery. The artist performed a medley of new songs at the BRIT Awards in Manchester last month, showcasing her dynamic stage presence. This performance came after a successful UK arena tour, which sold out multiple venues. A review of one of her shows at London's The O2 praised her as "Britain’s most versatile and beguiling pop star," highlighting her ability to command large crowds with effortless charisma. The album's release is anticipated to build on RAYE's growing reputation for blending emotional storytelling with infectious pop melodies. While specific track details were not disclosed in the announcement, the project's title suggests a reflective yet hopeful tone, aligning with her recent focus on personal growth and artistic evolution. The announcement was accompanied by a social media post from RAYE, emphasizing the album's significance as a continuation of her musical journey. Fans and critics alike are eager to see how this follow-up expands on her debut's success, with expectations high for its emotional depth and sonic experimentation.#brit_awards #this_music_may_contain_hope #rayer #the_o2 #my_21st_century_blues
Harry Styles: A Subtle Album Amidst Hype The release of Harry Styles’s fourth solo album has been met with immense anticipation, reflecting his status as a major pop figure. In the UK, record stores opened early to accommodate fans eager to purchase copies immediately. Styles has also been named curator of this year’s Meltdown festival, an honor previously given to artists like David Bowie and Patti Smith. His recent performance at the Brit Awards featured a choreographed rendition of the album’s lead single, Aperture, alongside a comedic skit that served as a promotional highlight for the project. The tour, however, prioritizes residencies in key locations, with 30 dates at New York’s Madison Square Garden alone, suggesting a strategy to capitalize on fan loyalty rather than traditional touring. The album itself, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, leans into a subdued, atmospheric sound that diverges from Styles’s earlier pop anthems like Watermelon Sugar. Tracks such as American Girls and Paint By Numbers blend mid-tempo house beats with piano melodies or acoustic introspection, evoking a mood of quiet introspection. Even Are You Listening Yet?—which incorporates a dance rhythm and spoken-word elements—feels deliberately understated, with its structure blurring the line between verse and chorus. This approach creates a cohesive, album-like experience, avoiding the fragmented feel of a collection of singles. Yet, the album’s subtlety occasionally feels like a drawback. While moments like the echoing breakbeat of Season 2 Weight Loss or the gauzy electronics of Carla’s Song showcase meticulous craftsmanship, other tracks, such as The Waiting Game or Taste Back, lack the memorability of Styles’s previous work. The lyrics, too, resist straightforward interpretation.#aperture #harry_styles #madison_square_garden #meltdown_festival #brit_awards
