Songwriter, singer, producer and audio engineer – the unmistakable Isaiah McLaughlin has been releasing original music for some time now, and consistently holds true to a unique sound and evocative, fearlessly raw sense of story.
The latest anticipated album Transcendence emerges as a true testament to the full vocal range of Isaiah, showcasing a profound and distinct vocal versatility from one moment to the next, whilst securing the uniquely genre-fusing, dark-pop and electronic sound-design that has become synonymous with the artist’s name.
We begin with the marching rhythm and thoughtful to sinister poetic musings of Zion – cascading layers of voice elevating that heavy drumline and ethereal waves of synth and sound.
Seventeen tracks in full make up the vast contemplation and performative charm of Transcendence. Push Play intensifies things early on, fragmented vocals but clean-cut in subject and vulnerability, backed by a relentless kick drum progression and spiralling combination of distorted and dreamy traits. The lyrics mystify and engage, prompting you to tune in more closely, and that process is consistently rewarded, as we continue to move through the likes of a compelling, unignorably dark and piercingly poignant Innocence is Crying, and the equally unsettling, haunting looping vocal sound of Gay For Pay.
Be Careful marks a clear shift in precisely the vocal versatility the album strives for, noting a lower-toned, gritty and rhythmic performance style, backed by a high-octane dance-pop arrangement that naturally suits the stirring unease of the lyrics.
After this, the floor-filler brightness of Judas redirects things once more, highlighting the subtle tremolo and meandering melodic ability of Isaiah’s voice in a way that subtly links back to previous albums.
Other performative stand-out moments include the bold and intense The Drama, the near-falsetto to dark spoken moments of Club Heat, and the late-night warped weight and captivating presence of Bound To You. Angelic Whispers also depicts a tentative yet equally diverse vocal array, and Oz utilises that same distinct tremolo and the quiet renowned theatrics of McLaughlin’s classic sound.
Then finally, Transcendence the title-track, adds an enchanting ode to both the concept and hypnotic progression of Isaiah’s voice, for one last ethereal and euphoric journey through feeling and musical momentum.
Easily the most accomplished and enjoyable album from Isaiah McLaughlin to date, Transcendence feels wholly enchanting in both production and performance, carving out a unique storytelling lane whilst engaging the senses from a rhythmic, melodic, and passionate perspective.
With live performances in sight and ambitions running high, Transcendence undoubtedly marks the start of a powerful new chapter from creative artist, vocalist, producer and songwriter Isaiah McLaughlin.
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