Transforming Toxicity into Truth: Brooke Combe’s “Love Was Made of Stone”: Single Review

Words: Amy Jade Davies

Images: Sam Moore

Brooke Combe is swinging right back into style with her new single ‘Love Was Made

of Stone’, the latest track to be taken from her highly anticipated sophomore album

following the Fontana Records debut ‘Tears Won’t Lie’. Recorded with The Coral’s

James Skelly in Liverpool’s Kempston Studios, the tune is as if Combe’s heart has

spoken for her in the writing room, delving into the puzzling complexity that comes

with the realisation that a relationship has been built on an illusion.

“The song is about years of what was thought to be real love, but something that

turns into manipulation and game playing,” Combe says of the track. “Almost like that

toxic love we’re all aware exists, that you know is no good for you, but you keep

holding on with the hope something may change, but it never does.”

If there is one thing that sets Brooke Combe apart from the crowd, it is her

exceptional ability to tell a story. The idea of romanticising a person until the version

of them in your head does not match the reality is a concept that many women in

today’s dating world can admit to dabbling in, and Combe’s retelling of her

experience with such a relationship manages to unexpectedly plunge you back into

what it feels like to be so easily trapped inside of your own head when only thinking

with your emotions.

The structure of the track reflects the topic excellently. The lack of intro is a fantastic

choice, encapsulating how being involved with a person like the subject of this song

often feels like plunging straight into a whirlwind romance. Shifting quickly through

the verses that are sharp, logical and feeling “free” into the repetitive hook of “I keep

hanging on to you” creates a sense of pure honesty - there is no pride behind the

lyrics of the hook, but those feelings remain real, no matter how hard Combe seems

to be trying to convince herself otherwise.

The music video, directed by James Slater in Manchester’s New Century Hall, is

another aspect of this single that reinforces the sincerity of the song. With a strong

retro vibe featuring Combe sitting at a piano surrounded by her band, the stripped

back feel was the perfect way to go. This single does not demand performative

theatrics, but rather a glance at the reality of how the track comes together when

you’re in the room. The coloured lighting changes are truly all the work that the video

needs, together with soft, dancehall moves that could be accomplished by any

ordinary girl - exactly the message that the track aims to get across.

Combe commented that “I wanted the video to just reflect me and the band clearly.

We’re a group of mates, who have been brought together through music. I love ‘Get

Back’ by The Beatles and wanted it to be sort of like that. Documentary style, but

also to feel like you’re in the room with us.”

Combe has kicked off her summer with packed sets at Truck Festival and Tramlines,

and is set to follow by taking her enthralling live shows across a stream of UK and

EU festivals, including the likes of Victorious Festival, Boardmasters and Sziget

Festival, before accompanying Jalen Ngonda across a run of winter dates across the

UK, Europe and North America later this year. If ‘Love Was Made of Stone’ is

anything to go off, we can expect big things from Brooke Combe, and I know I will be

watching over the next few months as she continues bringing Northern Soul back to

mainstream music.