RAYE’s Stolen Car Containing Her Songwriting Books Recovered: “Never Give Up Hope”

RAYE has some good news to share: the car that was reported stolen last year has been located and recovered, and—crucially—her songwriting notebooks were returned untouched.

In an Instagram post last fall the south London singer-songwriter revealed that her vehicle had been taken on her birthday and, with it, notes for her next record. At the time she warned that the incident had stalled work on a follow-up to her acclaimed debut, My 21st Century Blues (2023).

Speaking with Capital FM on Oct. 27, RAYE explained that police contacted her a few months ago to say they had found the vehicle. She confirmed the notebooks were still inside and undisturbed, calling the outcome a relief and urging people not to lose hope.

Concrete details about the 28-year-old’s sophomore album—title and exact release date—remain unrevealed, though the project is slated to arrive sometime in 2026. Fans can pre-order the record, currently listed as Album 2, through her official store.

RAYE previewed material from the new record on Sept. 19 with the lead single, “Where Is My Husband!” — a performance that followed her brass-band appearance on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage earlier in the summer.

The single reached No. 3 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart and climbed to No. 67 on the Billboard Hot 100. To support the release she has announced the This Tour May Contain New Music trek, which will visit the U.K., Europe and North America in early 2026.

A headline highlight of the tour is a six-night residency at London’s O2 Arena — a milestone RAYE called both thrilling and daunting when speaking to Billboard UK at the Ivors Academy Ceremony in September. “That’s a big job — six nights,” she said. “I want to give the best show possible.”

Note: Billboard’s Live Music Summit takes place in Los Angeles on Nov. 3. For tickets and details, visit the event website.

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