Shanae returns with new single 'Illusions'
Image: Jade D’Amico
Today Sydney R&B singer Shanae, formerly known as MADAM3EMPRESS, returns with her first new music in over a year with the single ‘Illusions’.
The song is a silky smooth R&B-pop track with a tinkling electronic background beat which glides effortlessly into your head and refuses to leave. Shanae’s voice purrs with a calmness and focus as she struggles with the intangibility of emotions and not knowing if she is truly feeling love for her partner. The controlled restraint of her voice as she grapples with her feelings makes her vulnerability all the more powerful.
“‘Illusions’ is super personal to me, and one of the most vulnerable songs I’ve ever written,” Shanae says. “I wrote the song with my producer Rory Noble quite some time ago, and it’s about questioning ‘how do you know if you’re in love?’, which is something I was experiencing at the time.”
Shanae was born in Sydney to South African parents and divided her childhood between Australia and South Africa. With her musical roots in gospel and Cape-Townian Jazz, plus her love for neo-soul, R&B and hip-hop, Shanae creates music that mixes genres and remains beholden to none. She released her debut single ‘Come On Over’ in 2021 followed by ‘Locking Eyes’ and ‘Some Kind Of Way’, all of which have accumulated streams in the hundreds of thousands.
Last month she was selected to perform as part of the Live Nation Ones To Watch showcase, a prestigious program which has seen artists such as Dua Lipa and BENEE pass through in years past. In a country that has not traditionally produced big names in the R&B genre, with her stunning voice, warm immersive music and electric stage presence, Shanae has the potential to be Australia’s next breakthrough star. This latest era of her burgeoning career is one to fall in love with, and with more music on the horizon this is just the beginning with more excellence to come.
‘Illusions’ is out now via Warner Music Australia. You can download and stream here.
To keep up with all things Shanae you can follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
