When Scottish soul singer Brooke Combe released her debut single ‘Are You With Me?’ in 2021, it didn’t feel that it would be too long until she had the world at her feet. The glitz of her voice promised an emerging talent that could not only show off its flair but provide a glimpse into the artist she could become. Its clap-along, sing-along chorus was one of the years’ most infectious singles, a feat impressive to pull off at your first attempt. What followed was a flurry of impressive tracks that ended up with the release of the EP ‘Black Is The New Gold’ – a 24 minute display of supreme talent. If it wasn’t clear before it was then – it was becoming increasingly hard for the Edinburgh-born singer to do much wrong. After beginning to write for her debut album, however, Combe felt constrained by the record label she was attached to. The decision to leave was ultimately bold (and fitting to her music) and after teaming up with The Coral’s frontman James Skelly, everything was back on track for Combe to make her mark.
First-released single of the new era strangely closes the new album out, but if you’re ever going to give a good impression it may as well be while the night closes. The titular track is not only supremely catchy but grand in nature. Its sweeping strings sound like they were stripped straight off of a Bond track, and Combe’s voice only adds to the cinematic feeling that sweeps you up so easily. It’s an easily identifiable common theme for the rest of the album – the vocal performances are welcomed so easily to your ear that makes it hard to ever stop listening. Most recently released single and simultaneous album opener ‘This Town’ kicks into a groove that never lets go. Its ‘la-la-la’s’ helps it have the feel of a radio-friendly track but it never loses its edge, instead only adding to the ever-growing catalogue of Combe’s hits. Meanwhile, followup ‘Guilt’ has horns and acoustic guitars mixing for a deadly combination, feeling inspired not just from those who laid the foundations of the modern era like legend Stevie Wonder, but also contemporaries such as the Austin natives Black Pumas.
As with all debut albums, the artists’ influences can come thick and fast through their own story. While that is the case here, it’s never to Combe’s detriment. Leaning on the greats that have come before her only allows her to put on a fresh spin with her powerful voice. ‘Leave Me The Fuck Alone’ takes an obvious page out of Amy Winehouse’s songwriting book but the performance comes across as heartfelt and true to anyone who will listen. As much as Combe’s vocals often take centre stage, there’s still room throughout for her band to shine. ‘If I Could Only Be Yours’ has excellent and diverse guitar playing throughout, with its flashy chords and lead lines that fuzz their way through the chorus. ‘Butterfly’ is equally stunning and an easy choice for standout; a track laden with a never-give-in attitude that is only uplifted by its instrumental.
It’s always something to get excited about when a new talent such as this emerges, with a clear pathway in sight to becoming a prominent voice in the scene. Michael Kiwanuka’s debut album felt like the beginning of something special; Olivia Dean’s 2024 Glastonbury performance equally so. Brooke Combe’s emergence might show that there’s room for one more at the table.
Words by Niall McGreevy