Browsing Tag

Western Folk

Spotlight Feature: Isiah & the New People became the defining voice in modern folk with ‘Did You Run?’

‘Did You Run?’ by Isiah & The New People opens with Isiah’s natural finesse as a rhythmatist, his skill on the fretboard drawing you in before the Western psych melodies begin to swell and pirouette with the kind of synergy that only comes from a collective with a shared artistic pulse. The union between the instrumental energy and vocal emotion is undeniable; it’s a back-and-forth exchange that feels both intimate and uncontainable.

With some of the most affecting vocals heard from Isiah & The New People so far, the trembled timbres of vibrato are flawlessly pitched, amplifying the bittersweet poignancy of the questioning narrative. The affection that drives every progression offers a moving undercurrent, even amidst the uncertainty that saturates the vignette.

Following the success of their debut EP Boxes, which set a strong tone for 2024, Isiah & The New People have gone from strength to herculean strength. ‘Did You Run?’ is another clear step in their rise, demonstrating their ability to merge heartfelt storytelling with immeasurably talented artistry.

As we tentatively step into 2025, it’s becoming increasingly evident that Isiah & The New People are gearing up to be one of the most promising breakthrough acts of the year.

Did You Run hit the airwaves on December 28th; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

When Folk Meets Prince: Isiah & The New People’s Haunting Cover of ‘When Doves Cry’

Isiah & the New People

In their cover of Prince’s When Doves Cry, Isiah & The New People take the iconic track on a deeply personal journey, transforming it into something that resonates far beyond its original message. Following the success of their debut EP, Boxes, the Wisconsin-based collective has shown their ability to strip a song to its emotional core and rebuild it with raw, unfiltered candour.

The affecting exploration of loss, love, and the painful intersections between the two makes the intensity of the emotions palpable from the first note, as the vocals quiver under the weight of heartbreak. Isiah Driessen’s voice, laden with sorrow and yearning, delivers each line as if the wounds are still fresh, allowing listeners to step into his world and experience the pain of a love that could no longer survive in the wake of tragedy.

The instrumental arrangement further amplifies the track’s emotional depth. Gone are the synth-pop hooks that made the original so iconic; in their place is an expressive acoustic guitar that seems to echo the heartache embedded in the lyrics. The fretwork speaks alongside the vocals, visualising the fire that still burns, despite the devastation left in its wake.

The decision to cover When Doves Cry was clearly not taken lightly, and it shows in every carefully considered progression. This is music as catharsis, as a means of processing the unthinkable. With each strum and vocal tremor, Isiah & The New People invite listeners into their emotional landscape, offering a glimpse of the pain that led to this release, resulting in a track that challenges you to reconsider the original, now layered with the weight of lived experience.

When Doves Cry will be officially released on August 28th and available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Follow Isiah & the New People on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast