Raye’s Award-Winning Album

In the news: The story

Read a 97-word news story: Raye’s Bold Record Takes the Mercury Prize

British singer Raye has won the 2026 Mercury Prize for her second album, This Music May Contain Hope. The award comes with £25,000 and recognises a standout British or Irish record. Raye’s creative album mixes pop with the sound of big bands and old Hollywood musicals. The record follows a relationship ending and its main character finding strength again. A stolen car caused a long delay in making the album, but Raye later managed to recover her notebooks and song ideas. She says the difficult experience helped her become more resilient and shaped the path she took.

Vocabulary: Words in the news

6 items

Discussion: Music that makes a statement

2 discussion questions

• What makes an album feel special or memorable to you?
• Would you rather hear music that feels familiar or something unusual? Why?

Discussion: When plans change

2 discussion questions

• Have you ever had a delay or setback that changed what you decided to do?
• What helps you recover when something important goes wrong?

Discussion: What should prizes celebrate?

2 discussion questions

• What kinds of achievement deserve an award, in your opinion?
• Should music prizes celebrate popular success, originality, or both? Why?