ISLE: Equilibrium

A little over five years have passed since Dutch dream pop duo ISLE released their debut album A Siren's Call, but they have been working on their sound and new material ever since. The first sign was the unveiling of the Sad Song single in October 2024, followed a couple months later by the announcement of a couple shows that would focus on the material of a new album, Equilibrium. Three more singles followed in quick succession, but now it all comes together on a full album.

Multi-instrumentalist Arjan de Wit and vocalist with Lise Low go for a richer sound, with Robbert Deurloo (drums) and Ardie van der Knijff (cello) adding extra colour to their intimate take on dreampop and triphop. The main task of the more orchestrated feel of the songs is to put the spotlight on the vocals. Low offers a guided tour to her inner world, where beauty appears to reign supreme (Indian Summer Breeze, The Melody Love Sings), but as ever there is trouble in paradise well, when depression comes knocking in Jaded. Finding a proper balance is key and by capturing the mixed emotions in a tug-of-war acted out in slow motion Equilibrium shows that passion and pain can be equal partners.

ISLE: Jaded

The new ISLE single Jaded is a dark tale about one person's depression taking over all that was good in a relationship, heading straight for the inevitable bad ending. Singer Lise Low and multi-instrumentalist Arjan de Wit inserted a bit of triphop in this one, with Robbert Deurloo adding tasteful drums. The contrast between the soft music and harsh lyrics gets stronger after each listen.

ISLE: Silence Is Golden

Dutch dream pop duo ISLE go for a fuller and upbeat sound on their new single. As a first, multi-instrumentalist Arjan de Wit shares the lead vocals with Lise Low. Robbert Deurloo (drums) and Ardie van der Knijff (cello) are on board again to help them out, this time in a more prominent role, giving the track an extra boost of energy.

ISLE: Treasure Hunters

photo: Stefanie de Beurs

Dutch dream pop duo ISLE sing about finding beauty on their new single Treasure Hunters, another taste from their forthcoming new album, Equilibrium. Singer Lise Low and multi-instrumentalist Arjan de Wit provide the core for this piano-driven ballad, before Robbert Deurloo (drums) and Ardie van der Knijff (cello) pitch in to add more colour to this tale of going out into the world in search of happiness and, if they are lucky, fortune as well.

ISLE: "Equilibrium" previews in Hilversum & Düsseldorf

photo: Stefanie de Beurs

Dutch dream pop duo ISLE have a couple of shows lined up, showcasing the material from their forthcoming new album Equilibrium. They are playing in sync with some pretty nifty visuals.

Live dates:

• 01/31 @AllArt, Hilversum, Netherlands
• 02/13 Kultus, Düsseldorf, Germany

» aboutisle.com

ISLE: Sad Song

photo: Stefanie de Beurs

Dutch dream pop duo ISLE have been lying low since the release of their A Siren's Call album in 2021. Singer Lise Low and multi-instrumentalist Arjan de Wit are back on track with a new single, Sad Song, the first taste for their new album Equilibrium.

ISLE: A Siren's Call

photo: Stefanie de Beurs

Dutch dream pop duo ISLE singer Lise Low and multi-instrumentalist Arjan de Wit bonded over a love for free flowing music and set out to create an alternate universe where their ideas could grow and bear fruit. Their debut album A Siren's Call is an ode to nature, a trip to both an inner and outer world that is deceptively peaceful. As musicians they like to test the boundaries of their skills - Low struggles a bit sometimes to reach the high notes in Indigo Sky, but always manages to stay in tune.

Using trip hop rhythms to give some of the songs a gentle nudge was a smart move, but they really shine when the music becomes more abstract in conjunction with orchestrated parts like they use in Pilgrims & Nomads and Paint The World. Lyrically they can be romantic or very direct as they do in the opening verse of Louder (come hither backbeat included): "Your beautiful body seems only to call my name // The strength in your soft touch // is driving me insane // Your voice like a siren // enchants me, and I can't // escape // You call out my name and you // wait for the moment I break".

ISLE: Waters

photo: Stefanie de Beurs

Dutch dream pop duo ISLE make a cause for staying calm on their new single Waters. Lise Low and Arjan de Wit are going with the flow, with crystal clear vocals on top of swirling synths. Nothing wrong with a bit of escapism every now and then. They provide the soundtrack for daydreaming, away from a world that is in tatters.

» aboutisle.com

ISLE: Indigo Sky

Dutch dream pop duo ISLE can make their synths sound warm and cozy. Lise Low and Arjan de Wit put the bass and vocals upfront in their new single Indigo Sky, conjuring up the image of a glorious sunny day on which anything might happen. Singer Lowe is reaching for the high notes, with swirling keyboard fills serving as a safety net. She comes close to losing her bearings, but it gives the track an edge ensuring that listeners will have to pay attention.

» aboutisle.com