Ruby
Macy Gray · 2018
43 min · 12 tracks · rhythm and blues
A vibrant fusion of soulful melodies and candid lyrics, reflecting on love, identity, and societal issues with Macy Gray's signature raspy voice.
Top tracks — play these first
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Buddha Start here — Opening the album with a reflective tone, this track establishes Gray's exploration of spirituality and self-acceptance, setting the emotional landscape for the rest of the record.
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Cold World — This song captures a sense of vulnerability and disillusionment with modern life, highlighted by Gray's emotive delivery and poignant lyrics that resonate deeply.
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Witness — Closing the album powerfully, this track combines intimate storytelling with a broader commentary on societal issues, showcasing Gray's ability to blend personal and universal themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends personal themes with strong melodies, though it doesn't fully stand out in its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that sets a reflective tone, followed by a shift to more upbeat songs in the middle.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- introspective themes of love
- soulful melodies for contemplation
- consistent flow for focused listening
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone singles approach
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality with introspective themes and contemporary sound.
- Career context
- Released in 2018, Ruby is Macy Gray's sixth studio album, following her 2012 record, Covered. At this stage in her career, Gray was exploring new themes and sounds while maintaining her distinct vocal style, aiming to reconnect with her fanbase after a lengthy hiatus from original material.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Erykah Badu· Lauryn Hill· Amy Winehouse
Tracklist
- 1 Buddha Start here 4:11
- 2 Cold World 3:06
- 3 Over You 3:46
- 4 White Man 3:13
- 5 Tell Me 3:30
- 6 Sugar Daddy 3:38
- 7 When It Ends 4:32
- 8 Just Like Jenny 2:58
- 9 Jealousy 3:49
- 10 Shenanigans 2:42
- 11 But He Loves Me 3:41
- 12 Witness 4:16
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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