With each new release, Ian Rae reminds us that the boundaries of genre are more like suggestions than rules. His latest single, Rio in the Rain, is yet another step in his mission to “RAEcreate”—his word for reimagining and reinventing music across all genres. From cinematic soundscapes to trance, neoclassical to folk, Rae’s musical journey has never stayed in one lane. But this time, he takes us somewhere warm, melancholic, and completely transportive: a rainy day in Rio de Janeiro.
Released on May 10, Rio in the Rain is a Bossa Nova-inspired instrumental that blends Latin rhythms, subtle jazz flourishes, and nostalgic mood with remarkable elegance. It’s a love letter to the Brazil of the imagination—but grounded in a very real experience: Ian’s one and only day in Rio, which turned out to be soaked in rain. Inspired by Antônio Carlos Jobim’s classic The Girl from Ipanema, Rae pays tribute to that iconic mood, but with a bittersweet twist. The sun never came out. The girl never walked by. And yet, something poetic was born.
From the first note, Rio in the Rain feels cinematic. The melodies are gentle, swaying like palm trees in a storm, with a rhythm that moves like footsteps on a wet boardwalk. It’s smooth, restrained, and beautifully arranged—jazz-laced piano chords and subtle guitar work give it texture, while the relaxed groove keeps everything flowing. There’s a sense of longing in the song’s core, a quiet wistfulness that doesn’t overplay its hand. It’s music that invites you to drift and reflect.
While the song is instrumental, Rae hasn’t left lyrics out of the equation. In fact, he’s written some himself—and they read like a short film in verse:
When I see the raindrops on my window pane / That’s when I remember Rio in the rain…
It’s easy to imagine these words sung in a smoky jazz bar, but Rae has a broader vision. He hopes lyricists and vocalists around the world will bring their own interpretations to the piece—translating or rewriting the lyrics in their own languages, and adding vocals in English, Portuguese, Spanish, or whatever speaks to them. With fans in over 140 countries and especially strong followings in Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina, the song feels like an open invitation to global collaboration.
There’s a gentle humor behind the story, too. The track was born not out of samba-drenched sunshine but from Ian’s disappointment—waiting on Ipanema Beach, rain pouring down, and the famous girl nowhere in sight. Yet Rio in the Rain doesn’t dwell in gloom. It’s affectionate, romantic, and full of heart.
As Rae continues to release music across an astonishing range of styles, Rio in the Rain stands out for its quiet sophistication and transportive feel. It’s not flashy, and it doesn’t need to be. It’s a mood piece, a memory in melody, and a reminder that sometimes, even a washed-out day can inspire something beautiful.
And if this track is any sign of what’s to come, Rae’s upcoming EPs—Sleeping Angel (due June 1) and No Time For Tears(June 28)—will be worth watching out for.
Rio in the Rain is a gentle, jazzy journey to a rainy beach in Brazil—a song that blends Bossa Nova warmth with cinematic depth. Ian Rae once again proves that he’s not interested in fitting into any musical mold. Instead, he creates his own—and invites the world to join him.
Connect with IAN RAE on
English