Raynes turns envy into a sharp self reflection on latest release “Josephine”

Raynes infuses “Josephine,” a playful take on the familiar tale of jealousy behind Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” with wit, tension, and self-awareness. Here the question shifts to the man at the center of the story, what if the rival he fears is largely a creature of his own imagination? Underneath the crunchy guitars and charged disco pulse, the song examines how envy can warp self worth and turn insecurity into imagined competition. Raynes sustains the concept without losing the emotional punch, making for a record that's fun and illuminating. “Josephine” ultimately questions whether another person was ever the real threat.