To close the intro track of Lily Rayne’s newest EP, the question of “what are we running for?” is only made more conspicuous by its answer: “It’s better if you don’t know,” a softly-concerned voice asserts, sirens echoing in the distance. It’s left ambiguous if the pair in this scene are being pursued by the sirens or fleeing their presence; regardless, something worthy of attention is afoot. That something may just be Rayne herself: the music that follows this sequence brings Rayne and her world into tighter focus, flowing between states of ambivalence, peace, dreams, and fears with calculated ease. Her topic of choice is just as malleable as her arena, as Rayne shows a natural chameleonism in the different styles she adopts throughout the project. 

As the sirens sound, the light shines brightest on Rayne as the main character, but she works impressively well with her chosen partners in crime on the EP. The PHABO collaboration of “Floating” concedes more to the featured artist in its arrangement, but that isn’t to say Rayne is out of place. Her calm and cool delivery transforms into transcendent triumph, shifting the terms on her own accord while proving a fitting compliment to PHABO’s warm presence. Just as she is prone to do elsewhere on SIRENS, Rayne turns on a dime on the subsequent “Onna Market,” which she shares with FELIX!. Taking on a more steadily-boisterous approach to the lowkey intimidation of the track, Rayne and FELIX! don’t need to flex their muscles to show their strengths. 

‍

‍

There’s little relenting through the 10 tracks that define SIRENS, with Rayne striving to keep things fresh and interesting through her production choices. She executive produced the project alongside Mike Blud, Derek Spence, and Saint Ev, worthy companions in crafting a fluid mixture of hip-hop, R&B, dancehall, and Jersey drill to honorable standards. Never are Rayne’s intentions scattered or competing, but rather they are pure and in service to her impulses. The writing on the project, from the verses to the hooks to the small interludes that add adequate narrative, feels authentic in a way that is hard to diminish. “Notcha Girl” and “Liar” give the EP a flourishing finish with the former’s infectious melody and the latter’s commitment to closure, bringing SIRENS to a close with a flurry of themes and styles explored on the project. “Liar” is a satisfactory resolution and may give the best impression of Lily Rayne in a single track, but there is plenty more to love in the depth of SIRENS.

‍