ISQ - The Silence Is Deafening (9 Lives Records)
Release Date: Out Now
Now, I know that not everybody is going to enjoy ISQ but those of you that don't are philistines as this is sumptuous music that will only enrich your existence. 'The Silence Is Deafening' is an eight track collection that brilliantly shows of the Italian born, London based artist who has a poise to her music that most can only aspire to. Opening track 'On Shoulders Of Giants' is a soft shuffle of a song with sumptuously warm layers of vocal harmonies and a country heart that immediately puts you at ease. ISQ follows this up with 'Faded', a song with an impatient guitar line underpinning an otherwise classy and jazz inspired track before 'Not Time At All' takes us for a slow dance around the empty ballroom at the end of the night while the manager stacks up the empty chairs around us.
The dark tones of the guitar on 'Kindred Spirit' have a cinematic quality to them and act as the perfect foil for ISQ's vocal that finds new depths of richness and power on this song - including some actual scatting which is a rare treat these days. Recent single 'Animal' is a shuddering and shimmering beast, tense and ready to pounce in the shadows with such a warm and enthralling guitar line trying to keep the skittering beat in line. 'Lady Death' is, as you might expect, a dark and prowling number that intertwines the guitar and vocal lines brilliantly with the hint of a reggae rhythm in the background - as brilliant as it is unexpected.
As we approach the end of this musical journey, 'Angela' drops in for the kind of gentle kitchen sink storytelling that has a very British feel as well as a deeply sad lyrical theme. Closing number 'She Walks Through Fire' is the star of the show, however, as the slow, shimmering start promises a reward, a release if you will, and it delivers in a poised and resplendent harmony laden song that you just want to turn up loud to drown out the world. ISQ is a stunning artist with vocal range and an ear for something different, something interesting. An album well worth immersing yourself in.
More information: https://www.instagram.com/isqmusic/
Live Dates:
7th November – The Folklore Rooms, Brighton (matinee show)
19th November - Cadogan Hall (Culford Room) for the EFG London Jazz Festival 2026