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Writer's pictureChloe Donaldson

SINGLE REVIEW | Johnny Brown - 'Brooklyn'

Edinburgh based artist Johnny Brown released his newest and long-awaited single ‘Brooklyn’ back in January this year. After some impressive slots at festivals such as EH6 and support slots for artists such as raucous Manchester band Twisted Wheel, Johnny Brown has had an impressive couple of years in the Scottish music scene.



‘Brooklyn’ is a mellow and passionate love song which tells the tale of all the good and bad aspects of falling in love. The track begins with a chirpy guitar sound with a slightly lower tone seeping in just before the first lyrics flow through the track. The beginning of the song sets the scene for the rest of the tune with the lyric “Down in Brooklyn, there’s a girl with an eyelash in her eye, watching the world drift by”. Johnny Brown’s lyrics in ‘Brooklyn’ are intricate and shed some light on the flaws which are involved with a relationship. In the track, Brooklyn does not only set the scene as the place where the song takes place, he also refers to the girl in the track as “Lady Brooklyn” which then makes the girl in the song the setting, almost as if the relationship itself was a destination.


Johnny Brown’s latest track is not only impassioned, it brings back all the nostalgic feelings you get from thinking about an old relationship with the line “I used to take her out then we’d fly around town on the 125”. The track does a great job in showing all the great memories and the sort of things you wish you could have back before showing why the relationship itself maybe wasn’t as idyllic as the sentimental memories lead you to think it was. This reflective tone leads into the end of the tune with a strong guitar build up then the backing music eases up and fades out to some substantially fierce vocals from Johnny with lyrics such as “this ain’t love to me” before the guitars build up into the verse again and create a solid finish to the track.


The track gives off an early 2000s delicate vibe while still incorporating a substantial amount of vocal power which gives the perfect answer to a love song. The young artist manages to give the track a dreamy and meaningful feeling without turning it into a dreary and overdone ballad. Johnny Brown is a refreshing addition to the Scottish music scene as in a sea of raging punk and bouncing indie, it’s nice to come across an enchanting and reflective voice to balance out a lot of the riotousness within some of the vibes found within the industry.


Johnny Brown launched ‘Brooklyn’ at a sold out show at Edinburgh’s Sneaky Pete’s but don’t worry- you won’t have to wait too long before getting the chance to see him live. Johnny is set to play Night of the Arts at Edinburgh’s Biscuit Factory on Thursday the 4th of April. As if you needed any more convincing to catch Johnny perform his tunes live, all proceeds from the Night of the Arts show will be donated to ‘Health in mind’ a local mental health charity. Get yourselves to Edinburgh on the 4th of April and see some class tunes for a great cause- get your tickets here!!


For fans of- Billy Mitchell, Brownbear, Sergeant and Oskar Braves.


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