ISA’s stunning new single, ‘After You’ is about longing for someone, but can also be interpreted as longing for a dream, which you work hard to achieve and never give up on (“I’m after you, baby“).
‘After You’ is an inspirational, soul-baring song. It is moving and relies on only a classical piano and ISA’s flawless vocals. The song has a delicate melody, yet ISA’s vocals are powerful; no doubt because she is singing about her passion, which is music.
The song was written by a close friend, Garren Edwards, on the last night of an intense songwriting trip. ISA added the bridge and it became a single. Previous hits include ‘BOMB’ in 2012, ‘What Are We’ in 2014, last year’s ‘Light On‘ and, more recently, ‘Perfect’ earlier this year.
The ‘After You’ music video sees ISA standing alone with just her microphone, perhaps a metaphor for how much she has sacrificed for her musical career?
The Swedish 20-year-old singer, songwriter, and dancer has a debut album due in Spring 2019 and we can’t wait to hear more from her!
Neon Music caught up with ISA prior to the release of her new single on december 14th:
Tell me about your new single ‘After You’
‘After You’ was written two years ago by artist and songwriter Garren Edwards from Compton. My brother (who’s a producer) and I invited Garren to Sweden to work for a week just writing songs. The very last night I went to bed around 2 am but Garren stayed up and wrote and it was an incredible surprise to hear this amazing song in the morning. Recently I decided to release it and my boyfriend and I wrote a bridge for the song and finally people get the listen to it! To me, the lyrics explain the strive for a dream and the struggle to get there. But the song also tells about how your passion gives you strength to continue and never stop.
Who or what is inspiring you musically at the moment?
Post Malone, SZA and Ariana Grande.
What song do you wish you had written and why?
I wish I had written ‘If I were a boy’ by Beyoncé because it is such a clever way of describing the differences between genders within relationships. And of course, I have always admired the beautiful melodies too.
What movie or TV series would you love for ‘After You’ to be played in?
It would be crazy to be a part of a new season of “Empire” and sing the song in the series.
Who were your musical influences while growing up?
Destiny’s Child, Britney Spears, and Jessie J.
How do you know what will make a good song?
You never know until you get that feeling in the studio that makes you so excited you don’t know what to do. That’s what’s so interesting with writing songs. You arrive in the studio with a blank paper and at the end of the day you’ve created something unique and new. Your gut usually tells you what’s good or not. At least mine does. Of course, I play my material for my family, colleagues, and others to hear their opinion and if the reaction at the first listen is positive it confirms that the song makes a good impression and makes people feel something. So I guess a combination of my own gut feeling and other’s response tell if a song is good or not.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
If I wouldn’t be an artist I would probably be a doctor because I’m very interested in science and would love to be able to help people and make a difference. Or maybe I would have become a chef because I love cooking!
What could you not live without?
I couldn’t live without my boyfriend and licorice haha. And of course, music would be really boring living without.
Your favourite up and coming artist is?
I don’t know if people would call her an up and coming artist, but I love Ella Mai! She is a big musical influence for me.
What do you have planned for 2019?
I’m planning to release my debut album spring 2019 which is crazy and amazing at the same time. I also wanna write music for other artists and really show my skills as a top liner. I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited about a year as I am about 2019.
‘After You’ will be released on December 14th.
