Opener "Buddha" features a guitar solo by Gary Clark Jr. and background vocals with a gospel feel, alternating an uplifting refrain of being "alright now" with the knowing "our days are numbered." The ultra-romantic "Over You" — "I haven't had a drink since my last one/No clouds in my sky but I'm on one" — has a dynamic horn arrangement and a catchy refrain and sounds most like her early hits. It's followed by "White Man" — no extra credit for guessing who Gray is singing about — whose hatred, judgment and offensive chatter may end up hurting him.

"Sugar Daddy" is a bubbly collaboration with Meghan Trainor, whose influence is evident already on the piano introduction and cooing backing vocals, while "When It Ends" is all drama underpinned by a slinky bass line.

"But He Loves Me" is such a plausible description of when our instinct for self-preservation fails us that it sounds almost like a parody, while reggae-tinged closer "Witness" is among the album's musical peaks.

Producers Johan Carlsson, Tommy Brown and Tommy (Lumpkins) Parker may have helped boost Gray's confidence and "Ruby" is a sure-footed album set in a mischievous heart of gold.