Isabella Lavalle – Love Interest (2023)
Inspired by the likes of Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, Jeff Buckley and Taylor Swift, the music of Isabella Lavalle is intimate and vulnerable with a splash of toe-tapping pop. Along with the intimacy of her music, Lavalle’s singles connect with individuals on a deeper, more sincere level. She shares that “I write and sing because it’s cheaper than therapy” – and considering the chaotic world of uncertainty in which we reside, this cathartic approach may resonate with listeners across the board. Despite having only three singles to her name, Lavalle is building an international following with coverage from blogs like A&R Factory, RGM, Sinusoidal Music and many more. The latest addition to her discography is the single ‘Love Interest’.
The first single of 2023, ‘Love Interest’ follows her tracks ‘First Spark’ and ‘Fool For No One’. In her vein of writing about heartache, pain, anxiety and all that “sad stuff”, one can imagine Lavalle’s songs express desperation in the sound. The thing is, while there is a fragility coming through in ‘Love Interest’ it is soulful with a toe-tapping edge to the tune. Lavalle explains that this single “…feels a bit more youthful and not as totally depressing. It’s more about desire and yearning and I wanted to give it a more modern, mainstream sound.”
Based on her previous material, I can compare Isabella Lavalle to Taylor Swift; however, ‘Love Interest’ brings a sophisticated soul side to her music. Slower with a smooth ballad tone, listening to ‘Love Interest’ is like being lost in a kaleidoscopic swirl of sound. The mellifluous tones carry you about in a gentle, warm way; however, a slightly haunting quality slithers beneath the silky melody.
Self-recorded and produced in her bedroom in her “little studio – my mic and audio software”, Lavalle shows true sophistication in the arrangement. Interestingly enough, while the production quality is mature and, well, sophisticated, Lavalle slathers a naïve immaturity and raw innocence atop the melody. It is this that showcases her innovativeness and skill as not only an artist but also a producer.
For more from Isabella Lavalle, check out her Twitter and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
