Issara is singer-songwriter, artist and musician whose work can be difficult to place within a single genre as it is influenced by pop, retro, soul, rock, 80s disco and gospel. Her history with music goes back to when she started singing at 3 years old and she has been releasing music since 2019. Born in Thailand and raised in Washington, Issara has a multi-cultural history she manages to bring to her music.
“Ride” is a great start to the 11-track album “222”. I thought the synths on this track were great. They are used as staccato chords to set the mood and as single synth notes in the background creating a jarring effect to add energy. Along with great bass instrumentation, “Ride” sets the 80s disco theme very firmly which the next track “Rise Up” takes forward with its soulful energy. Issara gives a soothing vocal performance filled with twang and country-like inflection. The instrumentation is groovy and nostalgic making it one of my many favourite tracks on the album. Lyrically both the tracks feel inspired by gospel music as it contains series of advice about how to live life. Issara says “Enjoy the ride” which could mean life or even the musical ride that is “222”.
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“Pheonix” is a dance track with more sultry vocals. I liked the bass on this track and it overall left me feeling like it was paying homage to 80s disco music, which is always than welcome. “Love” is a ballad where Issara gives spoken-word like vocal performance. Although it was slightly slow in terms of pacing with no element holding my attention for very long, the fact that it came after three up-beat songs made it a space for respite. “I See You” has a sonic palette that is very glittery, ethereal, magical and rippled out. This track hit the RnB spot for me, making it one of my favourites
The album picks its energy back up on “Woman” which has strong percussion and allows Issara’s pop vocals to soar. The W-O-M-A-N is initially corny but extremely catchy. The production on “Rebel” feels very on-the road, the kind of track you would play on a trip. The lyrics on both of these tracks affirm femininity, reclaim autonomy and declare womanhood as an identity without shame. I particularly liked the line “Looking to my gut as my guide” which reinforces feminine intuition as a guiding force.
“Sun & Moon” is an unapologetic confession of love that has soothing and minimal instrumentation. The bass on “Universe” makes it one of my favourite dance tracks on the album. “Home” is sombre and ensures that Issara’s vocals are what stay with you at the end of the listening experience. The lyrics on ‘Missed You” are heartfelt and the track puts on display Issara’s entire vocal range.
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The production on “222” understands pacing really well. It creates anticipation and pauses at the right moment and has the listener’s attention almost throughout the body of work. It plays with genres successfully and does justice to every sound that it experiments with. Issara is an artist I am glad to have discovered in the process of reviewing music and I will be adding her to my personal playlist! I truly believe that she is only getting started and I look forward to everything she has to put out.
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