My first encounter with the elusive .ISO was in the form of a feature on thebreathingbackwards’ 2017 EP Cold Autumn // Dead Winter. Quite honestly, when I first heard the verse from .ISO, I was less than impressed with his vocal layering and overall delivery. Yet, I trudged on listening because there was something about his upper register that shined through his feature and was quite entrancing. The performance left me thinking “Damn, I wish he only pulled highs on this!” After my listen through I quietly began following his material, anxious to see lateral growth and where he would take his sound. Surely enough, the months rolled on and with them came an EP as well as a handful of singles from the Akron, Ohio based artist. In that new content, my prayers had been answered. .ISO made his highs the main focal point in his delivery, and with a stellar vibrato to boot, it made every track moving forward an enjoyable listen.
The self produced “FiveStarReject” is the latest single from the ever improving .ISO, and is an audible culmination of his growth as an artist. A simple guitar riff with trap percussion and dreamy bells lay the background for .ISO’s high pulls as he sings:
“It’s so stupid I just can’t relate. Just assume it’s become a little too late… To say sorry and fix all of my mistakes. I guess I found another reason not to wake up.”
.ISO’s vocal cadence is so unique in his upper register delivery, which is one element that has remained present in his vocalics for the past year.. His soft ethereal sound is just beginning to reach its potential and take shape. Listen to the single “FiveStarReject” below.