Melbourne born singer-songwriter Brooke Reuss has been releasing tracks since 2019, with her most recent record Stand Up Reloaded, attracting some decent attention at radio.
Her latest, I Will Be Here, is the follow-up and another contemporary country-pop crossover co-written and produced by Lee Bradshaw. I Will Be Here is taken from Brooke’s forthcoming debut EP, which will undoubtedly feature more of her autobiographical writing style, as well as a collaboration with Australian Idol winner Damien Leith on the protest song, Sometimes.
I Will Be There is a kind of note to self, transposed to song, and communicated from the point of experience and distance. The new record relies on a lot of the typical, expected characteristics of the genre—in this case, adult contemporary country-pop—to create a musical trip as accessible as it is straightforward yet consisting of some fine fluid melodic phrases and satisfying moments.
Brooke’s voice veers from quiet vulnerability in the verses to a more hearty tone in the chorus, but the variance is in keeping with the track’s overall attenuated affability. As Brooke says about her inspiration for the song, ‘I wrote I Will Be Here to call out to my younger self. To the girl who was fierce and fearless, tried new things and didn’t over analyse. This song is to call on my younger self again so I can live life to the full and not miss opportunities or connections which the grown-up me has been reluctant at times to make.
I feel this song will connect with people in different ways and have their own connection with it. I hope it will help them through whatever tough times they are experiencing and lift their spirits as it does for me.’ I Will Be Here successfully merges various colours and textures, including piano, acoustic and electric guitars, synths, live drums, and vocal layers, to evoke a classic-sounding track, making the most of a series of well-considered dynamics, smooth harmonies and a rolling, buoyant rhythmic feel.
I Will Be Here is sure to connect and generate decent streaming numbers, with its heart on a sleeve avowals and melodic sensibility, helping to reinforce Brooke’s steadily expanding profile.
