Ones To Watch: Joe Brooks

Genre: Pop, Folk
For Fans Of: Mumford & Sons, Ben Howard, Tom Odell
Release: “Memory Foam” (Single), out now.
Signed: Unsigned
Hometown: Southampton, England

British troubadour Joe Brooks makes a captivating return with his self-proclaimed anti-algorithmic rollercoaster single, “Memory Foam.” Known for his deeply emotive songwriting and authentically honest vocals, Brooks has garnered over 100 million streams and earned multiple songwriting accolades, including the John Lennon Songwriting Award and The International Songwriting Competition.

Joe Brooks emerged as a notable musician on Myspace at the young age of 17. His talent quickly gained recognition, and by 2008, he was hailed as the “Number 1 Unsigned UK Artist” on the platform, amassing an impressive 11 million song plays. In 2009, he signed with Jason Flom’s Lava Records and Universal’s Republic Records, releasing his major label debut album, Constellation Me, in 2010. After parting ways with the label in 2011, he released the fan-funded independent EP, A Reason to Swim.

“Memory Foam” delves into the profound realization that the love and connection once shared with someone, despite past hurts and mistakes, still resides within them. The epic 5-minute track takes listeners on a musical journey, starting with Brooks‘ trademark singular, dry vocal and acoustic sound, and gradually building up to a full spectrum of instrumentation. The arrangement includes a strings section arranged by producer Stuart Brawley (Michael Jackson, Celine Dion) and features drums by Jamie Wollam, the touring drummer for Tears For Fears.

In a music landscape dominated by TikTok trends and algorithm-driven releases, “Memory Foam” stands as a refreshing departure from the norm. Brooks embraces a long-term strategy, prioritizing the creation of a body of work that will stand the test of time, rather than conforming to current industry trends. He states, “My music will be my legacy, so I’m taking time to create a body of work that I hope my grandkids will enjoy long after I’m gone.”

With “Memory Foam,” Brooks marks the end of an important chapter in his songwriting, hinting at more optimistic lyrics to come in the future, albeit with a touch of playful humor.