Michael Isaak – hey boy (2023)
Through soulful lyricism, personal narratives and moving melodies, singer-songwriter Michael Isaak uses his music to heal, empower and inspire. Fusing a distinctive brand of indie-pop with acoustic folk, Isaak takes listeners on a hazy twirl of sound while retaining a reflective profoundness. Raised in an Egyptian-American community, the US-based artist delves into both cultures and floods Arabic influences with Western sentimentality. This is my introduction to Michael Isaak, but he has been turning heads for years receiving critical acclaim far beyond his North American borders. The latest addition to his discography is the single ‘hey boy’.
Following his well-received track ‘okay with this’, ‘hey boy’ is an acoustic-inspired folk single tapping into his inner Sufjan Stevens with a flick of Hozier. Co-produced with Owen Korzec, ‘hey boy’ is a mellifluous merging of organic and electric instruments. The soft drums carry Isaak’s smooth acoustic guitar while Declan Fine strums along with a scorching electric guitar. Effortlessly working in harmony, the arrangement is a rhythmic one; however, a flair of rock guitar slices through with hard-hitting riffs to lift the soul. Add Isaak’s warm vocals and you have something rather special.
Known for his poetic lyricism, ‘hey boy’ captures the essence of hindsight. As a poignant message to his younger self, the single is inspired by a “reflective moment looking back at his childhood bed and sending good wishes to the younger version”. I’m sure we all want to do this at some point, give advice and reassure. Isaak explains that “the song embodies the message that everything, in the end, works out and the challenges of the past pave the way for the strength of the future”.
Lyrically and melodically, ‘hey boy’ is a moving folk tune from beginning to end. For me, there is a particularly intriguing element to the song – the sound of children playing in the background. The small sound of children running, laughing, and playing with innocent youthfulness; is a nostalgic glimpse of the person Isaak is reaching out to and the joviality of its spirit.
In addition to the single, Michael Isaak released a nostalgic lyric video for ‘hey boy’. You can view the video below or on his YouTube channel.
Find out more about Michael Isaak on his official website, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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