Ravyn Lenae says “fuck all of that” on her new album ‘Blue Island’

Ravyn Lenae has announced her third studio album, ‘Blue Island’, due for release on 7th August via Atlantic Records.

The Chicago artist has also shared new single ‘Handle’, alongside a music video that marks the first time she's incorporated choreography into one of her visuals. The track follows recent releases ‘Reputation’, featuring Dominic Fike, and ‘Bobby’.

Executive produced by longtime collaborator Dahi, ‘Blue Island’ arrives after a breakthrough period for Lenae, whose single ‘Love Me Not’ became a global hit, reaching Number 2 in the UK and Number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Discussing the album, Lenae said: “‘Blue Island’ is a point of arrival, and feeling set in my ways and in who I am, and feeling free of any of those preconceived notions about Blackness or what I had to be in the past. So I think now it’s fun to challenge the idea of what R&B is supposed to sound like, what pop is supposed to sound like… and really say ‘fuck all of that’ and do my own thing.”

Drawing inspiration from artists including Santigold, Janet Jackson and Tracy Chapman, as well as Blondie, The Sundays and The Cranberries, ‘Blue Island’ explores identity, transformation and self-definition while pushing beyond traditional genre boundaries.

Lenae will support the album with a run of festival appearances this summer, including Primavera Sound, Governors Ball, All Points East, Rock en Seine, Pukkelpop and Electric Picnic.