Corinne Bailey Rae Releases New Music Video 'New York Transit Queen'

Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae has unveiled her latest music video for the riot grrrl punk-inspired single, 'New York Transit Queen.' Drawing inspiration from Audrey Smaltz, the winner of the Miss New York Transit pageant, Bailey Rae explains that Smaltz's rebellious spirit transformed the song into a powerful anthem.

The track 'New York Transit Queen' is receiving high praise from critics. The Observer describes it as an "exciting post-punk glam thrash," likening it to Santigold dismantling Blur's 'Song 2.' Billboard notes the song's craggy garage guitars and bratty chant of a chorus, capturing the story of a 17-year-old subway fare skipper. Meanwhile, The Forty Five highlights the confident and cocky nature of the track, comparing it to M.I.A.'s 'Paper Planes' and The Ting Tings' 'That's Not My Name.'

'Black Rainbows' explores a wide range of themes, drawing inspiration from encounters with objects in the Arts Bank—a curated collection of Black archives. The album delves into topics such as Black femininity, Spell Work, Inner Space/Outer Space, time collapse, ancestors, and music as a vessel for transcendence.

Bailey Rae will embark on a tour across the United States from September 5 to October 7, with performances at renowned venues like Yale University's Schwarzman Center, New York's National Jazz Museum in Harlem, and the University of Chicago's Rockefeller Memorial Chapel.

Additionally, she has scheduled three special shows at London's Ladbroke Hall on October 25, 26, and 28. Fans can also catch her at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival in Cork City, Ireland, on October 29, as well as at various shows in Spain.