If you love RAYE’s “Where Is My Husband!”, start with Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Christina Aguilera, Celeste and Olivia Dean.

All five artists explore different parts of the sound that makes RAYE’s recording so irresistible.

Some specialise in vintage soul.

Others bring theatrical vocals, enormous horns or the sort of dramatic songwriting that makes an ordinary romantic problem sound like the most important event in the world.

“Where Is My Husband!” became one of Britain’s biggest hits of 2026, reaching No. 1 in January and remaining among the year’s strongest-performing songs.

But it also represents something more interesting than a conventional pop success.

RAYE has helped bring older musical styles back into mainstream pop without simply imitating the past.

The recording combines soul, jazz, R&B and contemporary production.

Here are fifteen songs that capture different parts of that sound.

What makes “Where Is My Husband!” sound so distinctive?

The first thing you’ll notice is the voice.

RAYE performs with extraordinary personality.

She can sound frustrated, playful, dramatic and completely serious within a few seconds.

Then there’s the rhythm.

The drums and bass create a groove that feels familiar to listeners who enjoy classic soul.

The brass and vocal arrangements add theatricality.

Producer Mike Sabath has explained that despite the recording’s enormous sound, its instrumental foundation is relatively simple.

Much of the drama comes from RAYE herself.

That’s an important distinction.

The track doesn’t need hundreds of production layers.

It needs an exceptional singer with an excellent song.

1. Amy Winehouse – Valerie

Perhaps the most obvious recommendation.

Mark Ronson’s version of “Valerie”, featuring Amy Winehouse, transforms an indie-rock original into something that sounds like vintage soul.

The horns are bright.

The rhythm is playful.

Winehouse’s delivery is full of personality.

Both artists make relatively ordinary relationship situations sound dramatically entertaining.

If you enjoy RAYE’s theatrical phrasing, start here.

2. Duffy – Mercy

Another excellent match.

Duffy’s “Mercy” combines retro-soul production with an instantly recognisable vocal.

The groove feels rooted in older R&B.

But the recording has enough pop energy to reach far beyond traditional soul audiences.

Duffy’s voice is rougher and less theatrical than RAYE’s.

Still, the combination of rhythm and romantic frustration makes the connection obvious.

3. Christina Aguilera – Candyman

For something more playful.

“Candyman” draws from 1940s swing and close-harmony vocal music.

The arrangement is deliberately theatrical.

Brass.

Rhythmic energy.

Layered vocals.

Aguilera also shares RAYE’s willingness to perform with considerable vocal intensity.

If the exaggerated personality of “Where Is My Husband!” is what you enjoy, this is an excellent next song.

4. RAYE – Worth It.

Don’t overlook RAYE’s own catalogue.

“Worth It.” is one of the clearest examples of her jazz and soul influences.

The recording combines warm instrumentation with intimate romantic songwriting.

It’s less frantic than “Where Is My Husband!”.

But the musical DNA is closely related.

The arrangement gives RAYE space to demonstrate her remarkable phrasing and vocal control.

5. Celeste – Stop This Flame

One of the strongest British soul recommendations.

Celeste combines an expressive voice with dramatic arrangements.

“Stop This Flame” has an infectious rhythmic foundation.

The vocal moves naturally between restraint and enormous power.

It’s especially suitable for listeners who enjoy the vintage character of RAYE’s production but want to discover another contemporary artist.

6. Olivia Dean – Man I Need

A slightly warmer recommendation.

Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need” is more relaxed and optimistic.

But the recording draws from similar soul and R&B traditions.

Both artists understand the value of groove.

They also place enormous importance on vocal personality.

If you enjoy the contemporary revival of classic soul-pop, these two songs belong in the same playlist.

7. Shirley Bassey – Big Spender

Now go much further backwards.

“Big Spender” became closely associated with Shirley Bassey, whose enormous vocal personality helped make it a signature recording.

The song comes from the musical Sweet Charity.

Its theatrical approach should appeal immediately to RAYE listeners.

Both recordings feature a woman addressing romantic possibilities with considerable confidence.

The musical styles differ.

The performance attitude is surprisingly similar.

8. Janelle Monáe – Tightrope

For the funkier side.

“Tightrope” combines classic funk influences with modern production.

The rhythm is sharp.

The brass is energetic.

Monáe’s vocal delivery is playful and controlled.

If RAYE’s groove is what you love most, this song is an excellent next step.

It’s also a useful introduction to Monáe’s broader catalogue.

9. Paloma Faith – Upside Down

A particularly good recommendation for British listeners.

“Upside Down” combines retro-pop influences with a theatrical vocal.

Faith brings a slightly exaggerated character to her performances.

The result is playful rather than emotionally restrained.

If you enjoy the sense that RAYE is almost performing a musical-theatre scene, Paloma Faith is worth exploring.

10. Beyoncé – Love on Top

For pure vocal energy.

Beyoncé’s “Love on Top” draws heavily from classic R&B.

The arrangement is bright and celebratory.

The key changes have become legendary.

Like RAYE, Beyoncé makes technical vocal ability feel entertaining rather than academic.

The song also demonstrates how timeless traditional R&B songwriting can become when performed by an exceptional singer.

11. Sienna Spiro – Great Expectation

For listeners who prefer the dramatic side of RAYE.

Sienna Spiro’s “Great Expectation” is slower and more cinematic.

The arrangement places considerable emphasis on piano, strings and vocals.

The emotional intensity is enormous.

If “Where Is My Husband!” made you appreciate singers who can carry a recording through personality alone, Spiro should be near the top of your list.

12. Amy Winehouse – Rehab

A second Winehouse recommendation is justified.

“Rehab” combines brassy retro-soul production with sharp, conversational songwriting.

The rhythm is immediate.

The lyrics are direct.

Winehouse’s vocal sounds almost effortless.

RAYE has a similar talent for turning difficult personal experiences into recordings with enormous musical personality.

The subject matter is different, but the approach overlaps.

13. Jessie Ware – Pearls

A more disco-oriented recommendation.

Jessie Ware combines sophisticated pop production with expressive vocals.

“Pearls” has enormous dancefloor energy.

Its theatrical arrangement creates a sense of celebration.

It’s less obviously influenced by vintage soul than RAYE’s recording.

But listeners who enjoy dramatic, rhythmically driven pop may love it.

14. Leon Bridges – Bad Bad News

A brilliant bridge between older soul and modern production.

Leon Bridges developed a reputation for music influenced by classic R&B.

“Bad Bad News” has a relaxed jazz-funk groove.

The arrangement is sophisticated without becoming complicated.

It’s a particularly good recommendation for anyone interested in the musicianship behind contemporary soul-pop.

15. Noisettes – Never Forget You

An underrated British pop-soul connection.

Shingai Shoniwa’s distinctive voice gives the recording enormous personality.

The song combines retro-pop influences with energetic production.

Like RAYE, Noisettes created music that feels joyful even when the emotional message is more complicated.

It’s an excellent discovery for listeners interested in British alternative soul.

What genre is “Where Is My Husband!”?

Soul-pop.

Contemporary R&B.

Jazz-influenced pop.

There are also strong references to 1960s girl-group music and theatrical pop.

That explains why a playlist containing Amy Winehouse, Shirley Bassey, Janelle Monáe and Christina Aguilera can still make sense.

All four occupy different parts of the same musical family.

Which three songs sound most similar?

Start with:

Amy Winehouse – Valerie.

Duffy – Mercy.

Celeste – Stop This Flame.

Those three offer the closest combination of strong vocals, vintage influences and energetic arrangements.

Then explore Christina Aguilera and Shirley Bassey if you enjoy the theatrical side.

Why are retro-soul songs becoming popular again?

Because strong songwriting doesn’t expire.

Musical trends change constantly.

But listeners continue connecting with:

memorable melodies

expressive voices

strong rhythms

and emotionally direct lyrics.

RAYE’s success demonstrates that a recording doesn’t need to imitate the newest electronic production trend to become a major hit.

Sometimes the best way forward is to borrow something brilliant from the past.

Where should you go next?

Follow the influences.

Start with modern British soul.

Then explore Amy Winehouse and Duffy.

Move backwards into Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Shirley Bassey.

You’ll begin hearing how RAYE connects several generations of popular music.

And you may discover that “Where Is My Husband!” isn’t simply one of your favourite current songs.

It’s your introduction to an enormous musical tradition.