Katey Brooks, Never Gonna Let Her Go Review
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Over a career spanning four continents, Katey Brooks has been blazing her own trail. She plays a number of instruments, but refuses to call herself a multi-instrumentalist (‘too much pressure’) and has produced several of her own records. Brooks has an unusual upbringing that she feels shapes her music. Growing up inside a cult, as a child, Brooks found refuge in song. “It was a very chaotic upbringing, full of some pretty colorful and sometimes unsavory, characters. But when I sang, I felt free and connected. For as long as I can remember, it’s been my way of getting what I need to say out”, she reveals. Brooks’ life has been filled with more than her fair share of tragedy. “When I was 22 my mum got ill and she died. And then not long after that, my lifelong best friend went missing and she also died. That’s definitely had an effect on the course of my life and my writing. I guess I’m lucky that I have songs that I can write, as a means to deal with things.” Her latest single, “Never Gonna Let Her Go,” is produced by Katey Brooks and engineered, mixed and Mastered by Paul Quinn. “Never Gonna Let Her Go” is beautifully conceived musical poetry.
Positives:
Brooks has an endearing voice, that cuts to the core the moment she sings. Her lyrics are equally moving.
Bottom Line:
Brooks has an undeniable songwriting style, her emotional way of drawing the listener in, is grounded in a depth of life experience. There is an old saying you can’t sing the blues unless you live it. Honestly, I think the premise is transferable to many genres of music that are centered in great songwriting. Brooks is not a formula writer, it’s clear she writes from a deeper place within. Brooks has certainly had her share of romantic turbulence, not to mention the struggle to come to terms with her sexuality. “In my most recent work I’ve finally been able to sing directly about women instead of using the mysterious ‘you.’ I’m a private person in a lot of ways and I never wanted to be a poster girl for anything. But a few years ago, I just thought screw it; I want to sing completely honestly. It felt like a weight lifted.” The track has a solid song form, wonderful full vocal harmonies, and Brooks' soulful lyrics flowing through it all. This honesty rings true in her lyrics on “Never Gonna Let Her Go,” Brooks is inspired and her honesty and strength shines through her music brightly. It’s easy to see why the likes of Brian May (Queen), Bill Wyman (Rolling Stones), and Paloma Faith have recorded with her. That’s the short of it!