After kicking off her 2023 with her vibrant comeback offerings 'Blackjack' and 'The Doctor', fast-rising artist Lily Brooke has now delivered her eagerly-awaited debut EP 'Hypomaniac', featuring the shimmering new single 'Scream'.
Capturing a wonderfully fresh and upbeat alt-pop direction for her newest outing, 'Scream' makes for a rousing return to form for the artist at the helm. With its bright and bouncing energy perfectly reflecting her own impactful voice throughout, she has returned with one of her most fun-loving efforts to date here.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has inspired her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The piano. I started playing when I was 12, I remember being in awe of great players like Tori Amos, Jools Holland and Tim Minchin. Lady Gaga’s acoustic range really showed me how piano can be used to create powerful pop tracks too.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
My parents took me to countless festivals and gigs so luckily, I was exposed to the greats from a young age. My main musical inspirations are from legendary writers like Jeff Buckley, Kate Bush, Tori Amos but I definitely have alternative roots that stem from bands like Pixies, Radiohead and The Smiths.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first album I purchased myself was Puzzle – Biffy Clyro. It’s an absolute masterpiece and I probably still know every word to this day.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I Know It’s Over by The Smiths. It’s an emotional one for sure, but such gorgeous poetry – it makes you want to cry every time. Jeff Buckley’s version too is really something special.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
For me, music isn’t just an auditory experience. I’m always thinking of the visuals, the characters and the story behind the song. The music video director, Lewis Janos Pashley, is always up for making crazy ideas come to life. For my last single release, The Doctor, we used a 60s aesthetic and took inspiration from pop art to contrast with the dark message of the track which exposes the mental health crisis across the UK.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I really love what Self Esteem is doing at the minute, breaking barriers and showing relentless passion but it’s crazy to me she broke into the industry in her 30’s and that’s somehow an unusual occurrence! When I was leaving university and still pursuing music I was told ‘ah you better chase it quick, it’s all downhill after the age of 21’ - crazy! So much pressure to have everything figured out by time you’re 21 and it’s just not realistic, so that’s when I wrote ‘Blackjack’, using the card game as a metaphor for going ‘bust’ at 21.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Tough one. At the moment, it’s Lizzo. I saw her show in Glasgow for the Special Tour and it was just incredible! I love what she stands for, her music is so emotional and powerful.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Interacting with an audience, even online. I’ve had so many messages about how the songs have helped people with their mental health and that is so inspiring to me. When a complete stranger says your music has changed them in some way, that’s rewarding. It really makes me want to keep writing for them.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I do feel lucky to be moving forward as a female solo artist in the male dominated music industry. Things are slowly but surely moving in the right direction but still, only 2% of producers are female, and I think young girls should feel confident to explore any role they want, in the music business and beyond. One of my upcoming tracks ’Scream’ definitely speaks towards inequality in the music business and focuses on how the creative industries are appearance-obsessed.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
The best piece of advice is to stop caring too much about what others think. I’m thankful that now I can express myself however I want, wear what I want, sing what I want. If I had to sum up ‘Strong’ - another track from the EP - it’d be about that, not holding back in order to ‘fit in’. I wrote the chorus for that track when I was 13, and now it’s finally going out into the world 12 years later, guess I finally got the guts!
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Lily Brooke's new single 'Scream' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.