Rae Morris
Album: Unguarded
Label: Atlantic
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.raemorris.co.uk

I first heard Blackpool born Rae Morris in 2013. She has that sort of voice that makes you stop and listen and then wait to hear who was singing. Her voice has an ethereal quality not unlike Kate Bush at times.

This album is Rae's first and the release coincides with the start of a national tour. A number of earlier EP's are available too. She has been performing professionally since 2011 and has already built up a huge following and supported a number of major acts. She started playing the piano at the age of four. A childhood prodigy perhaps!

Rae's music does not fit easily into any specific genre. There is a bit of something for everyone from folk, to soft rock pop. Most of the arrangements are delightfully understated and produced with the piano playing a major part unsurprisingly. I read in one review that Rae was being described as a less annoying Ellie Goulding. Not sure if that is a complement or an insult. In either case, Rae is really nothing like Ellie and is very much her own woman and performer.

This is an album of high quality music. The first track "Skin" can be seen on YouTube with a very imaginative video to accompany it. A number of her videos can be seen there too so if you are not sure what she is like, take a look and a listen. So far after a few listens I have not found a track that I want to skip through. "Under the shadows" is a good example of what Rae can produce and would be a great live track. This is definitely a Kate Bush inspired track.

"Closer" has a touch of Rumer about it and comfortably demonstrates the breadth of Rae's musical abilities. The title track "Unguarded" is the one track to listen to if you wish to determine whether or not you will like this supremely gifted performer.

From my point of view, this is an instantly likeable and listenable album full of both catchy and at times haunting music. A long and very successful career beckons.

Rory Stanbridge