INTERVIEW: Multifaceted Pop Act ISA Urges Us Not To Be ‘Shy’

Having already blown us away with a boastful near-two-figure discography of singles, ISA, 20-year-old R&B-Pop crossover singer, songwriter, and dancer, is ready to share new single ‘Shy’, taken from the upcoming debut album expected early-2019. The previously Sony Music signed artist takes influence from acts such as Ariana Grande, Post Malone and SZA, and although her tracks can sometimes sound like your routine pop bops, they manage to deceivingly carry underlying serious and sometimes highly underrepresented issues to listeners in a light-hearted fashion, not to remove any sincerity from those issues, but to allow for more palatability and frequency in discussion. Late-2017 saw ISA releasing ‘Me Too’ in response to the #MeToo movement – used to demonstrate the sickening prevalence of sexual assault and harassment, particularly in the workplace. In terms of quality and corresponding popularity, for ISA, this year has been no exception as she’s gained international traction on her Spotify-viral previous single ‘Perfect’.
Hey ISA – welcome to BBM. What’s the most exciting thing that’s happened to you so far this year?
The fact that I’ve started releasing music though my own label “Licious Music” has been a lot of fun. To be able to release songs whenever I want, to build my own team and do music that’s 100% me has made me feel free in my artistry.
For those who haven’t heard your music yet, how would you best describe your sound?
It’s a mix of pop and modern R&B with honest, personal lyrics about my emotions, opinions and experiences.
How do you think leaving Sony Music Sweden changed you as a musician and a person?
I don’t think leaving Sony changed me, it’s rather let me be who I really am. Now I make my own decisions and build my artistry the way I want to. I’m an artist with a strong will, and I don’t want to be held back from doing my own thing, so going independent is works well for me.
How did the project ISA materialise?
Ever since I was little I’ve had the same dream, to become an international artist. But the project itself started when I was 12, that was the first time I recorded an original song in the studio and started aiming for my goal for real. When I was 14 I released my first single Bomb, and I’ve released around 20 songs since. As a teenager I wrote a lot of music in Los Angeles, which I learned a lot from. Spending so much time in the studio during my teenage made me develop my songwriting and today, I think creating a song is just as amazing as performing on stage.

Where do you tend to write your music, do you think it influences your style at all?
I write my music both in my studio at home, but also in co-writing sessions in other studios in Stockholm. I believe the people you write with obviously affect the result of a song, depending on personality, taste, melody language and lyrical skills. I also think the room sets a mood to the session. I love writing in studios with a lot of analog synths, instrument and dimmed lights, cause that get me inspired. Actually, I’ve come up with many great songs at home, ‘cause I don’t feel pressure to prove anything to another writer or producer.
When was the last time you had a proper holiday and where did you go? 
I was in LA in February 2018. But maybe that doesn’t count, ‘cause I actually worked a few days during the trip!
Who would be your dream collab?
Right now it would be Post Malone or Justin Bieber.
Name a record you couldn’t live without?
Firefly – Mura Masa

ISA – ‘Shy’ OUT NOW
https://soundcloud.com/isa-tengblad
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