From organic ebb to electronic flow: Isaac Howlett lets go
Isaac Howlett is, of course, inextricably linked to Empathy Test, and even though he is pursuing a solo career here, this context is crucial to my assessment. Why? Because many songs by his main band have often sounded a little too ‘organic’ to me in the past – a criticism I already expressed quite clearly in my review of “Monsters”. So I am all the more pleasantly surprised by his solo outing: the sound of ‘Ghosts Of The Tsunami’ is much more electronic, and I really like this direction.
Inspired by Richard Lloyd Parry's book, Howlett's lyrics take up the grim scenario of the Japanese tsunami – ghosts who don't realise that their time is up (‘We need to be told / That it's our time to go’). But as heavy as the subject matter is, the production captures me with its lightness. For me, the highlight is definitely the second part of the track: especially from the bridge onwards, there are some really exciting beats and effects. Their style and elegance remind me of the Pet Shop Boys and are the element that really lifts the song. An all-round successful track that proves Howlett has a lot more to offer electronically.
Listen to "Isaac Howlett – Ghosts Of The Tsunami" on Spotify
Listen to "Isaac Howlett – Ghosts Of The Tsunami" on Bandcamp
Lyrics of "Isaac Howlett – Ghosts Of The Tsunami"
I wish that I could be
Carried away
By a tidal wave
But there's something in the way
Something in the way
And I don't think it's you
I think maybe it's me
Ghosts of the tsunami
We need to be told
That it's our time to go
It's our time to go
It's our time to go
The driver looks through me
As he's driving away
He doesn't see me wave
There's something in the way
Something in the way
And I don't think it's you
I think maybe it's me
Ghosts of the tsunami
We need to be told
That's it our time to go
It's our time to go
It's our time our go
I think maybe it's me
Ghosts of the tsunami
We need to be told
That's it our time to go
It's our time to go
