Photo: WENN
Only a few weeks after the release of her debut album Unguarded, Rae Morris steps on stage at the Electric Brixton and captivates a sold out show.
She's no stranger to collaborating with some of the most exciting names in the industry, but with the release of her successful debut, it's exciting to see this talented young performer own the stage in London to celebrate: “I never dreamt I’d play a gig this big!”
It’s Rae and a grand piano, but production-wise it feels like so much more. The set is experimental as she drifts from her emotional tracks to the synthesised tones of the more upbeat singles. With a slight nervous charm, she begins with the album’s opening track ‘Skin’, before later proudly launching into ‘Closer’, which is met with warmth and enthusiasm by all.
The heart-wrenching fan favourite ‘Don’t Go’ was a main highlight, emotive enough to make a middle-aged bald concert-goer or two visibly reach tears. Standing in the spotlight, she went on to deliver the impressively poignant ‘Up Again’, a track featured on Clean Bandit’s debut. As the night draws to a close, Rae tentatively asks “Are you sure this is OK?” before launching into an encore - her modesty is endearing but the audience warmly reassures her.
Rae is a talented songwriter and her powerful lyrics are only enhanced through her elastic and manoeuvrable vocals, which soar and flutter through each moment. You can’t help but fall for her; this 21-year-old has a sweet innocence to her, but a wisdom and strength in her voice that can fill up an entire venue. It’s thrilling to see pop’s most promising talent get the credit she deserves. The only thing wrong with the set was that it had to come to an end.
