Brooke Combe is a Scottish singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, best known for her 2025 breakthrough album Dancing at the Edge of the World.[1]
Career
Early life
Combe grew up in Dalkeith, a small town near Edinburgh, Scotland, playing instruments from a young age.[2] Raised on her grandparents’ collection of classic Motown albums, as well as the ‘90s neo-soul and R&B loved by her parents, she began to branch out to rock music at 17 and was encouraged by her school music teacher to develop her vocals and to study music at university.[3][2] Combe began to release covers of her favorite songs online, which quickly grew her audience.[2]
2021-2024: Island Records
Combe first came to national prominence with her 2021 debut single, "Are You With Me?", a "glossy", singalong track with a "hand-clapping chorus."[4] She would later sign to major-label Island Records, appeared at Glastonbury Festival in 2022, and released 2023 mixtape Black is the New Gold, which "explored oppression and ideas of typical femininity through the lens of a tender homage to her Black roots."[3] Combe later began writing her debut album, but became disillusioned when faced by the commercial constraints and expectations of a major label.[4] She dropped out of her contract and began working with producer and frontman of the Coral, James Skelly.[4][5]
2025-Present: Dancing at the Edge of the World
In 2025, after her stint on Island Records, Combe independently released Northern soul-influenced debut album Dancing at the Edge of the World to acclaim. In a review for music publication Clash, writer Robin Murray praised the project as an "absolute stormer – vintage styled soul that feels totally refreshing... Combe isn’t satisfied with retreading old ground, instead finding her own unique place within an R&B lineage."[1] The Line of Best Fit heralded the album as "a massive step forward."[3]
Discography
Studio Projects
- Black Is The New Gold (Mixtape) (2023)
- Dancing at the Edge of the World (2025)
Guest Appearances
| Title | Year | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Sweet Surrender" | 2024 | Courteeners | Pink Cactus Cafe |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Award | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Scottish Music Awards | Best Female Breakthrough | Won | [6] |
| 2022 | Scottish Alternative Music Awards | Best Rock/Alternative | Nominated | [7] |
| 2024 | Rolling Stone UK Awards | PlayNext Award | Won | [8] |
References
- ^ a b ""It Just Comes From My Soul!" Brooke Combe Interviewed". Clash. February 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Interview: Brooke Combe". SNACK Magazine. June 13, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Brooke Combe is on the rise | Interview". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on February 10, 2025. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ^ a b c Kalia, Ammar (January 18, 2025). "One to watch: Brooke Combe". The Guardian.
- ^ Reilly, Nick (September 2, 2024). "Meet Brooke Combe, the Scottish singer who wants to make the UK soulful again". Rolling Stone UK. Archived from the original on February 7, 2025. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ^ "Scottish Music Awards". Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ^ "Nominees revealed for the 13th annual Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMA)". SNACK Magazine. November 16, 2022.
- ^ Reilly, Nick (November 28, 2024). "Brooke Combe is our Play Next Award winner at the Rolling Stone UK Awards 2024". Rolling Stone UK. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
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