Live Review Rae Morris, Electric Brixton, London 12th February 2015

A twinkling music-box melody seeps from the stage as the lights dim. The six screens that adorn the boards wink at a sold out Electric Brixton as Rae Morris and her band enter, leaning straight into ‘Skin’. The audience is under her trance from the off. As the opening track for tonight shrinks in a quiet whir, the screens do the same, leaving a lone spotlight on Rae poised behind her piano.

From the percussive potential of ‘Unguarded’, through the arms-length intimacy of ‘Closer’ until the outstretched celebration of ‘Under The Shadows’, tonight is all about movement. The shoulder dance from behind the piano and the smile that flits across her face, Rae is unwavering.

Backed by an impressive light show and a three-piece band, the quiet beauty of ‘Unguarded’ is amplified, steering it towards moments of twinkling euphoria and downright awe. Every word is pointed and every pause, deliberate. Fryars, who opened the show in a blitz of thundering electro-pop, joins Rae for rendition of ‘Cold’ with his soulful performance highlighting the lofty heights she conquers with ease.

Rae drives the show with confidence. Her voice is flawless and every track shines under the hues of orange and purple; the only time this wavers is when she allows herself to embrace the occasion. The disbelieving grin as the crowd erupts in applause, her vocal quiver as she tries to express what it all means and her reluctance to leave the stage, as she stands breathing in every moment. Rae Morris is at home in the spotlight and as she leans back, crying out “The only way is up again,” you can’t help but agree.