9/10

In what is already shaping up to be another male dominated music scene amongst debut artists, Rae Morris has bulldozed her way through the drab and uninteresting pop records of the moment to deliver what could already be the best new album of the year. With an already expectant fanbase who have fallen for her, thanks to her debut singles 'Closer' and 'Cold', her debut album 'Unguarded' is filled to the brim with exceptional songwriting and shows her as a incredible emerging talent in British music.

Coming across as a early Ellie Goulding mixed with the catchy songwriting prowess as Coldplay, Morris' first full-length has that rare ability to turn a sombre production style into truly anthemic works of pop glory. Her soft yet distinguishable voice holds a central presence on the record, allowing the songs and instrumentation to add lift and power to her vocals and give the album a real sense of euphoria in places. Something that most pop records seem to lack and helps her stand apart from all the lacklustre attempts we usually hear today.

'Unguarded' is certainly the debut any new artist would kill for. Its instantly memorable songs and larger-than-life presence keeps the album running through your head long after you've finished listening, and shows great promise for her in the years to come.