Rahe: Out of the Box

Originally hailing from Spain, Tucson-based singer-songwriter/guitarist Rahe (pronounced "Ray") has rapidly established herself as a noteworthy new voice in the music. While not yet a household name, Rahe may change that following the release of her debut, Out of the Box, a musical outing of wonderful creativity.

Clocking in at a relatively modest 32 minutes of music, spread out over eight tracks, Out of the Box nevertheless manages to traverse a wide gamut of styles, including slow burning R&B, flamenco, easygoing acoustic pop, and jazz-infused bossa nova. For many artists, this might represent a troubling situation, in which genre-hopping is driven merely by novelty over artistic merit. However, Rahe mostly rises to the challenge by demonstrating a proficiency and easy comfort with the many styles in which she engages her songwriting. Indeed, under her guidance, jumping from the edgy rocksteady of "Two Steps Back" to the luxurious, Astrud Gilberto-styled lines of "Pensando" largely feels natural and comfortable.

Ultimately, Out of the Box serves as a testament to the music that can be achieved in any genre, when a talented artist is joined by like-minded collaborators in a free and creative environment. Rahe has made a meaningful statement with her debut release, one that rewards over repeated listens.