Brooke Combe - Dancing at The Edge of The World (Album Review)
Monday, 03 February 2025
Written by Chris Connor
Photo: Sam Crowston
Brooke Coombe has really made a name for herself of late thanks to a throwback approach that dials up the sound and feeling of Northern soul classics. The Scottish vocalist may have appeared on some listeners’ radar thanks to her work on Courteeners’ ‘Pink Cactus Café’ but with her debut LP she steps out on her own in wonderful style.
‘Dancing at The Edge of the World’ is a stellar record that captures an artist at the top of her game right out of the gate. Its first song proper is This Town, a real gem that feels timeless in that it should appeal to fans of ‘60s soul as much as its modern sensibility should please fans of artists such as Olivia Dean.
Guilt has more of an indie sheen to it, showing the breadth of Combe’s voice and its adaptability to different genres. It wonderfully offsets the soul rhythms found elsewhere and, as with many of the tracks here, packs a lot into a concise runtime.
Shaken By The Wind starts off simply with Combe and piano before bringing in drums and soaring strings as the track really expands, unearthing real power in her vocals. It is easy to picture this becoming a fan favourite and sounding epic in a live setting.
L.M.T.F.A. is more stripped back, comprising vocals and guitar while showing a more restrained side to Combe’s sound, finding something introspective in both its sound and lyrics. The Last Time is the polar opposite, offering jolt of adrenaline while encapsulating the lightning-in-a-bottle feel of Combe’s music and its potential for mass appeal.
There is a huge variety to ‘Dancing at The Edge of The World’, with Combe’s stellar voice its constant. It is sure to find a fanbase among Northern soul and Motown heads while branching out into contemporary sounds without losing its tight focus. It is a remarkably accomplished first outing that suggests Combe is a generational talent.
Brooke Combe Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Thu April 03 2025 - LIVERPOOL Arts Club
Fri April 04 2025 - NORWICH Norwich Arts Centre
Sat April 05 2025 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Institute2
Wed April 09 2025 - BRISTOL Thekla
Thu April 10 2025 - LONDON Neon 194
Sat April 12 2025 - MANCHESTER O2 Ritz
Thu April 17 2025 - SHEFFIELD Leadmill
Fri April 18 2025 - LEEDS Project House
Sat April 19 2025 - GLASGOW Barrowland
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