Brooke Combe’s ascent to prominence has been nothing short of superb. It’s seen the Edinburgh-born singer-songwriter go from selling out King Tut’s, signing to Island Records and being named ‘Best Female Breakthrough’ at The Scottish Music Awards. Yet, an asyndetic list of achievements is worthless without a trophy to show for them. It was only a matter of time before the soulful singer did her foregoing success justice and present to the world her first body of work: Black Is The New Gold. An 8-song mixtape that is rooted in maturity yet stems from naivety in adolescence, as it oscillates between themes of identity and love through soul and funk centred compositions.
Are You With Me? opens the record and instantly captures the attention of listeners and critics alike through its funky percussion and melodic chorus. Her aptitude as a lyricist also shines throughout this track; a powerful message is told through a voice that is patently connected to its purpose, a feat that is replicated in tracks like Why’d You Say You Loved Me and Over You.
The mixtape’s mature sonority and distinctive nature continues to Impress You as a listener and the title track Black Is The New Gold, optimises this. Released earlier this year, the song focuses on ‘exploring more of [Brooke’s] black roots, lyrically and musically’. Her eclectic influences protrude throughout this track and the mixtape as a whole; a fusion of the 90s R&B played in her parents’ house, as well as the Motown in her grandparents. Further complemented by her own lyrical idiosyncrasies, of whom Fleetwood Mac and Arctic Monkeys are named inspirations.
On the second listen of Black Is The New Gold your ears steer away from the funky basslines and insatiable rhythms as the mixtape’s production immerses you as a listener – courtesy of The Coral’s James Skelly, an accomplished musician and producer. Compositions like A-Game and Impress You are quintessential of Skelly’s proficiency, never overwhelming the listener but still producing vast texture’s that generate power whilst maintaining Coombe’s fluency and control as a singer, modelled by songs like Talkin’ Bout Heartaches and Miss Me Now.
‘You’ve had your story / time to tell you mine.’ A potent and appropriate message heard in the mixtape’s finale, Over You. The conclusion that reinforces Combe’s songwriting prowess as an affirmed instrumental fuelled by distorted guitars and syncopated chords becomes the foundation for a narrative exploring blossoming in isolation, a statement not only applicable to romance but also the Scottish singer’s music, in a male dominated industry, Combe is leaving a resounding impression that stands her apart from her contemporaries.
Black Is The New Gold is an assured debut written with poise and fluency, inaugurating a distinct sonority that steers away from the conformities of pop yet remains serenely familiar to the listener through its retro origins. Brooke Combe is no doubt in ascendency to stardom, she’s firmly established herself, unlocking the freedom to now develop and experiment with her sound further. An exciting prospect that many will eagerly await.
Written by Jude Keenleyside