There is no way to describe this EP other than “I WILL.” Victor Ray, a 24-year-old from Newcastle, England who used to perform on the streets for money, has risen into the amazingly soulful R&B artist he is today, and this EP is a golden testament to that, especially because of the title. This was his fourth EP, which was released on April 11, 2025, but the three that came before it were “i was.” “i felt.” and “I TRIED.,” Just the title in all caps makes it so much more meaningful, creating a poetic list that really shows that he is committed to pursuing his dream by saying “I WILL.”
I would say I have been listening to his music for almost a year now, starting with his song “Halfway There,” but it didn’t take long for him to become one of my favorite artists of all time. His vocals, his attitude and even his story makes his music even more worthwhile.
The first song “Hearts Break and People Change” was his first single of 2025, released on March 7. It started the album off with a song that makes you bop your head as his powerful lyrics start to rattle your brain. A lot of his songs are like that, if not all, but this one in particular I believe really hits this fact home. Talking about accepting a relationship that was toxic and having difficulty leaving was what this song focused on, and every word choice made the song so impactful even though the writing itself is very simple.
Next, there was “Sticks and Stones” featuring Kojey Radical and Strandz. It’s the only non-single on the EP, being released in November of 2024. It’s a faster song, but it talks about where he came from and how he got away from that place that tried to keep him from pursuing what he wanted to do. The song talked about how he was avoiding the fear of failure and being confined to the stereotype of becoming a nobody by pushing through with his pure determination. This song has one of the deeper underlying messages of this EP, although all of these songs provide context into who he is and his background. Even so, this song hits just the same as the first. With the pairing of two other artists, it allows his vocals to mix with their styles of rapping while allowing him to stand out. Each of the three had their own verse, and it really allowed all of them to have their own emotions shown through their words with similar stories that intertwine with Ray’s choruses.
“Still The Same” has been one of my favorites for a while now, first released on September 17, 2024. The song is Ray expressing how he won’t change with his rising popularity, saying “I’ll still be the same / even when my name’s in the hall of fame.” I think a lot of celebrities have let their fame get to their head, but through this song and after listening to his music for a while, I truly believe his words. Through busking, he really learned to be humble and patient, and those are attributes I believe he will carry with him for a lifetime. I wouldn’t call this a slow song, but it’s slower than the first two, creating a good balance in the pacing of the EP as a whole. His vocals, as usual, are amazing in this song, and once again, his lyrics convey his message clearly.
Finally, the EP finishes off with my personal favorite, “World At My Feet.” It was the only song to be released as part of the collection and not before. It really shows through his powerful voice what it took to get where he is now and a commitment to what lies ahead of him. I will say this for every song I hear of his: His vocals are some of the best I have ever heard in my life. The beat is amazing, too, with a low guitar riff and a simple yet effective drum beat to back up the power in his voice. The lyrics reinforce how hard he has worked to become the artist he is, and how much opportunity he has at his feet because of that dedication.
I wish the EP were longer, just so I could listen to more of his music, but a part of its power is from how short it is. I advise that you do not stop at this EP. There are so many other songs that I listen to every single day, and on his Instagram, he occasionally posts himself singing portions of popular songs, like “Ordinary” by Alex Warren and “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley, which he was accompanied by Teddy Swims, another one of my favorite artists.
All in all, it makes me excited to hear more. Currently, Ray’s on his “I AM.” tour through the U.K., Australia, France and North America. I would have gone to one of his concerts if he were coming any closer to Keene than Brooklyn, but nonetheless, I feel it is mandatory to go to a concert of his someday, especially after this EP.
Hayley Doda can be contacted at
hayley@kscequinox.com
