It would be very easy to label Brooke Moriber merely as a country artist and leave it at that, but that would be to undersell just what she does. Yes, she has one cowboy-booted foot firmly planted in the proud earth of that genre, but the other one is dancing and dabbing its way through all manner of different musical sounds and styles, which is what helps tell the whole story.
“So Do I” is a brilliant example of why you shouldn’t pigeonhole her in just one genre. Yes, there are a lot of country vibes at work, especially in the choruses, the more sedate sonic lowlands of the song, or the calm before the storm of exquisite and anthemic sound that follows. But, as the chorus explodes in euphoric energy, as the music rises up and heads for the sky-searing heights you hoped it would, you realise what a fantastic voice Brooke Moriber has, I can think of few in music today who could pull off such a sonic switch with this amount of control and confidence. Getting her start in the musical theatre of Broadway probably has something to do with it.
And lyrically, too, there is something innovative at work here. The words flow easily and memorably—pop accessibility wrapped around a country heart.
“So Do I” is a great introduction to Brooke Moriber’s vocal power and songwriting prowess. It also demonstrates her ability to transcend country’s traditions and, in the space of just one song, draw in fans of pop music, anthemic ballads, torch songs, big Broadway sonics, tender and insightful lyricism, and sophisticated, soulful songs of the highest order.
File under future classic.
