In Rotation: Talia Rae

Before she was sharing a stage with the legendary Stevie Nicks at British Summer Time, East London’s Talia Rae was cutting her teeth performing in a local chicken shop. That is the exact trajectory you expect from an artist who heard Amy Winehouse’s *Frank* for the first time and decided right then that a singing career was a non-negotiable reality. Rae formally introduced herself on her debut EP *Shadows* with a blunt mission statement: “This is who I am, take it or leave it.” You hear that unvarnished truth all over the title track, where she proves she can carry a song entirely on the weight of her vocal runs. On her recent single “Princess Treatment,” she aims directly at low-effort men masquerading as emotionally evolved partners. The production rides a steady R&B beat under catchy melodic textures. Her vocals draw immediate parallels to Ariana Grande’s upper-register agility. She anchors those acrobatic highs with the unmistakable grit of her hometown. Then you have “Rocket Woman,” where she shifts the mood entirely. The track explores introspection and the thrill of unknown danger, paired with a visual that places her in an underwater escape. She builds two opposing worlds—one grounded in reality, the other built for pure escapism. The momentum is translating offline right now. Independent radio across the States is catching on, with stations from WXPN in Pennsylvania to KRCL in Salt Lake City putting her in rotation this month. She is also gearing up for a heavy touring schedule. After recording music with David Gray, she joins him for a two-night run at The Anvil in Basingstoke this July, followed by her own headline dates at London’s SJQ and Dublin’s Upstairs At Whelans in October. She has the voice, the pen, and the nerve to back it all up. Check it out below.