SINGLE REVIEW: BROOKE LAW - FREAK ON

Finally getting its day in the sun is the new single from Brooke Law "Freak On". This song written some time ago with The Shire's Ben Earle, until recently, had proved more elusive than the Loch Ness Monster - it would make an appearance at a full band show and then you might not hear it again for months. Destined to appear on Brooke's forthcoming album "Naked Heart", it has been held back waiting for the right moment - that time is now!

With a suitably psychedelic cover featuring Brooke's locks catching the light perfectly, covering one eye while the other stares out of the picture with the smallest white dot capturing the flash. If all this effort has gone into the cover what must the record be like?

When played live, there is an anthem like atmosphere created with Brooke and her audience waving arms in sync. It is this feeling that Brooke and her producer Michael Stockwell have sought to recreate.

Starting a capella, Brooke sets out her manifesto

"I don't care about your style

Your vibe, your clothes

I don't care if you're living clean

Or if you get stoned,

I'm a freak, you're a freak, so "Freak On"

The verse is then repeated, second time round after the merest hint of guitar, it is sung to a powerful back beat - nothing else, just Brooke and the relentless percussive pounding of a drum kit.

The next verse sees a grungy guitar properly join in the fray, it's a tribute to living life as an individual not conforming to the expectations of others.

"I don't need a label telling me, where I belong

I don't need a self help book telling me where I'm going wrong

I'm all right, you're all right, right on

I'm a freak, you're a freak, so "Freak On"

The chorus sees things rhythmically move into gear, the sound is an explosion

"Love is a messed up circus

The world is a bowl of a goldfish

We're all freaks in a freak show

We love and we hope for loving

There's somebody out there laughing

We're all a punchline of a joke

I'm all right, you're all right, right on

I'm a freak, you're a freak, so "Freak On"

A psychedelic Beatle-esque blend of guitars and drums follow before Brooke returns to sing some refrains over a brooding strumming electric guitar

"Just keep freaking on

One and one is one

Just keep freaking on with me

There's time for two more takes on the chorus with Brooke running wild on the backing vocals as the instrumentation gets the freedom to make as much noise as possible - it makes for a hugely enjoyable mix. Personally #TEAMw21 would have happily let Brooke carry on playing in an extended "Hey Jude" style, six minute epic, however sadly at just under four minutes, things come to a close

Brooke Law's debut album "Naked Heart" lands Nov 8th