Born in Whitehorse, Yukon and now based in Vancouver Island, 4-time 2024 Maple Blues Award nominee Brandon Isaak offers another delightful melancholic single ‘What’s This World Coming To?’ from his new album One Step Closer, both out now.
Isaak’s ability to deliver a slow-burning blues epic that’s simple yet powerful with its slow drawl and composure, tugging on the heartstrings of his audience, is one of his unique talents. His musical style comprises old-world blues, with vintage notes and tones offering poetic and humourous lyrics dancing around an eclectic mix of root-style vocals, springy guitars and dirty harmonica.
Influences and sounds come from a cocktail of Taj Mahal, B.B. King and Lightnin’ Hopkins, making Isaak’s sound firmly noted in the blues-roots world. His showman presence has been finely carved over 35 years, taking his audiences on an emotional journey at every show. Engaging with audiences consistently leaves Isaak’s performances beaming and full of warmth, with a solid pull to return for another round of musical storytelling. Plus, new fans are created as they leave, singing catchy lines and humming new tunes thanks to Isaak’s memorable songs. With 8 countries across three continents and 13 European tours, Isaak is no stranger to reaching various audiences worldwide.
‘What’s This World Coming To?’ is a simple yet complex track, offering calm layers of bell-like slide guitars, chugging tremolo and the slow heartbeat of a drum. A simple electric piano and organ dance effortlessly in the background while Isaak’s vocals take centre stage. Telling a story of a crazy world where war, religion, politics, and the human condition are all at the forefront.
Isaak’s calm and gravelly vocal lines sit on top of ‘What’s This World Coming To?’, telling a tale of dark times and global division. His sad tone makes us stop and think for a moment before we continue relentlessly with our lives, often ignoring the world’s plight. Isaak swings in to gently remind us that we all live in this world together and need to look after one another. The song plays out as a wave of downbeat news reports take over the final moments of the new track.
‘There’s two kinds of people, doing right or doing wrong
Building bridges, or building walls
Oh, hard, hard times, and even Gods got the blues
Somebody please tell me; what’s this old world comin to?’
Isaak explains in his own words about his new track, “The way the world has been going as of late has been hard to watch. Wars, political insanity, division, religion and human rights have all been so hard to watch these days. It’s depressing, and I try hard to always find the positives in this crazy world we live in.
“That being said, one must create art, and art is a statement of our human condition. So, this song is a darker theme about modern life here on earth. This song took me about 20 min to write, and it seems whenever you write about the truth, it tends to fall straight onto the paper.”
It doesn’t just stop there for Isaak. He has earned four nominations at the 2024 Maple Blues Awards, making him a contender for Songwriter of the Year, Acoustic Act of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Recording/Producer of the Year. This is a testament to a successful and beautiful music career and Isaak’s undeniable talent.
