Exclusive Artist Review: Isabel & The Whispers – Self Titled Debut Album

Posted in Album, Alternative, Careers, Emo, Indie, Music Review, Pop, Press Release, Rock by

NYC-born and bred artist Isabel Marcheselli (formerly known as Isabel Rivera) formed her band in 2005 under the official name Isabel & The Whispers and quickly began manifesting her love for music into a collection of anthemic songs that would become the band’s self titled debut album. Known for her insatiably dynamic craft in several artistic areas including vocals, songwriting and poetry, Isabel has musically crossed a vast array of genres and her eclectic scope of music continues to evolve and defy easy categorization. While she was classically trained, she can easily create music in mass-appealing genres such as Pop, Dance and Indie – utilizing her craft and artistic merit in ways that would ultimately garner the undivided attention of many listeners across the musical landscape.

And in 2008, after a few years of writing and solidifying their signature sound, Isabel & The Whispers would release their self titled debut album comprised of 8 atmospheric and intellectual tracks that would give Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval a run for her money. This amazingly crafty collection of tunes provide that aura of catchiness you’d expect from a vocalist with a Pop sensibility, but ultimately wins you over with a soft Indie implementation with a crisp subtlety that will easily captivate any fan of the genre, respectively. Opening track and anchor single “Josefina” is direct evidence of this and it really kicks off the record with a signature style that touches on textures of ambience and atmosphere. The piano lead parallels diligently with Isabel’s hypnotically visceral vocal melodies, giving the listener a listening experience that is both effective and unforgettable upon first listen. It’s an anthemic song that truly sets the tone for the rest of the album and casts a bright spotlight onto Isabel’s ability to not only write an amazing melody, but express them thoroughly through lyrical content as well. Her poetic and story-telling ability really puts her on a level very few artists tend to reach, and it’s quite a joy to behold when you really pay attention to not only what she sings, but how she sings it.

Another notable track on this record is breakup song “High Horse”, a song about a past love with Isabel’s signature story-telling method that has been made apparent from the very first track. Once again we get a beautiful piano lead, this time in a minor key, a smooth rhythm section and a more high-ranged Isabel with this song’s anthemic chorus. Though she tackles common subject matter in this song, she again brings a simple concept to new heights with a poetic presence that really brings the overall story to form in a way that is intelligent and artistically visceral. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions sung with a sense of subtlety that almost makes it a lullaby, but no matter how you interpret it, Isabel just does it well. She completely makes the concept her own. One more notable track is closing song “Dot To Dot”, a song that combines the previous two songs into one intelligently crafted composition. This anthem really closes in on each element both Isabel and her band have brought to the table throughout the album’s duration in a way that ties it all together, perhaps also with a bow on top like a musical gift. We have Isabel at the peak of her vocal melody execution, delivering her blissful and breathy lyrical outbursts that are again enticing and thought provoking. Her band serves up their amazingly rhythmic measures, diligently paralleling her story-telling approach in a way that is effective and almost surreal. By the time you reach the end, you are almost disappointed it is now over. But the best part is, you can start it all over again, and that’s what makes this album stand out – its staying power. Its ability to stay with you even long after it’s over. Something not heard often among today’s more modern releases. And that’s another thing that makes this album a standout, the fact it could easily please music fans from just about any generation or era. Older fans will find it nostalgic, while newer fans will hear its innovation. But the truth is – it’s both.

This is an album you won’t forget anytime soon. You can get your copy now on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes and any other digital music streaming platform.

Listen/Connect:

©️ Artist Reach, LLC | ASCAP | All Rights Reserved