Sheena-Rae
Sheena-Rae opens up about the inspiration behind her haunting new single SECRETS, discussing rumours, creative independence, layered vocal production, and how personal experiences shaped one of her most atmospheric releases to date.
1.”SECRETS” explores the paranoia and uncertainty that come with rumours and hidden conversations. What inspired you to write about this particular experience, and was it drawn from personal events?
Yes, the song was inspired by personal experiences. It was a time I found myself in a situation where assumptions and rumours were spread about me when I was no longer there to defend myself, and it was strange to hear heightened versions of events that didn’t happen like how things were spread. It made me think how quickly people fill in gaps when they don’t know the full story, yet so easy to do in a tight circle. This inspired me to write SECRETS, which in general isn’t about one specific incident. It’s about that feeling of losing control of your own narrative and wondering what’s been said when you’re not in the room. I think most people can relate to that in some way.
2. The song makes creative use of whispered vocals to recreate the feeling of people talking behind your back. How did you develop this idea, and what effect were you hoping it would have on listeners?
The idea with the whispered vocals came once I had recorded all the vocals. I wanted listeners to feel like they were inside the story rather than just hearing it. When rumours are spread, it can feel like there are conversations happening all around you that you aren’t a part of, so the whispers was a way of recreating that atmosphere. I hoped it would make the song feel more immersive and unsettling, while still being catchy and melodic.
3. Your music combines dark pop atmospheres with trap influences. What attracts you to this style, and how do you balance emotional storytelling with modern production elements?
The producer I worked with on this song sent me this instrumental first. I’ve always been drawn to music that feels cinematic and emotional but still has an edge. Dark pop gives a lot of space to tell stories, while trap inspired production adds energy and tension. From this production, this immediately made me think about rumours being spread behind your back and hidden conversations; I was going through my experience at the same time also. The atmosphere of the track naturally inspired the concept. Once I had the idea, I focused on matching the lyrics and melodies to the mood of the production, so the storytelling and the music felt connected.
4. You recorded and layered all of the vocals yourself from your home studio setup. What was the most challenging part of creating the vocal arrangements for “SECRETS,” and how important is creative independence to your artistic identity?
The biggest challenge was making all the layers feel intentional rather than crowded. There are lots of harmonies, ad libs and whispered textures throughout the song, so it took time to find the right balance. Yet recording harmonies and ad libs is one of my favourite things to do when making music. Creative independence is really important to me because it allows me to experiment and trust my instincts and ideas already in my brain. Being able to record at home means I can follow ideas and inspiration as soon as it pops into my head and build songs exactly how I imagine them.
5. The production by KALYXBEATS plays a major role in shaping the song’s haunting mood. What was it about the instrumental that immediately connected with you, and how did the collaboration develop from there?
What immediately stood out to me was the atmosphere, eery but very modern. The instrumental felt mysterious and slightly tense, which matched the emotion I wanted to explore in the lyrics. There is also a small melodic motif that repeats itself throughout the track which caught my attention. As soon as I heard it, I could already imagine the story taking shape. From there, I built the song around that mood, adding vocal layers and textures which enhanced the feeling of paranoia running throughout SECRETS.
6. You’ve been building your presence through showcases and open mic performances across London, with a headline show planned for later this year. How have live performances influenced your growth as an artist, and what can fans expect from your upcoming shows?
Performing live has definitely helped me grow in confidence and become more comfortable sharing my music with new audiences. Every open mic and showcase is different, and I enjoy the challenge of connecting a room of people who may be listening to my music for the first time. It’s also pushed me to develop as a performer and trust myself more on stage. For my upcoming shows, people can expect honest storytelling, strong vocal and a mix of emotional and empowering upbeat songs. I’m excited to perform SECRETS live. Additionally, I am working with some talented musicians to do some live gigs soon including covers as well as originals.