Since signing with Island Records last year, we've been patiently waiting, hands outstretched, for a body of work from Ray BLK. Now, two years since her Durt mini-album, the South East Londoner is ready to present her new project Empress, available to buy, stream and download now.

Throughout eight tracks, Ray BLK explores emotional but important topics such as police brutality and youth violence (see: "Run Run"), as well as empowering topics such as womanhood and embracing herself as a woman of colour in songs like the title track "Empress". But these aren't gimmicks or something to just fit the times; the songwriting and execution portray her genuine feelings towards these topics, which are scattered throughout the project.

As always, Ray BLK's vocals are a joy to behold, and over a variety of instrumentals (including a flip on a Tupac classic) truly show her living up to the potential that she showed when she became the first unsigned act to top the BBC Sound Of... list in 2017. Now we're even more excited for the album, but you can listen to this latest project below.