Ravyn Lenae — Blue Island

"Never Let Me Go" builds on Chuck Jackson's "Love of You," a 1978 soul record you mostly cannot stream, and ends with Lenae's grandfather on the phone asking whether the albums are selling. They are: "Love Me Not" reached No. 5 on the Hot 100 a full year after release, and Blue Island, out August 7 on Atlantic, answers arrival with a pop swing. 2000s indie guitars on "Handle," Doechii kept restrained on "Babygirl," Dominic Fike playing the loyal dog on "Reputation." Critics split on whether the pivot fully commits; the back half settles it, and Clash landed at 8/10. A 22-date North American run opens at Portola on September 20 with Nourished By Time on select dates.