Ishana Drops New Single

Like Alice falling down the rabbit hole, it’s easy to spiral down the depths of depression. Even when there are good days, there are still trying moments. In the new song, “Cold Lake”, Canadian singer and songwriter Ishana doesn’t wallow in the melancholy. She recognizes it, embraces it and finds a way to create this charming ecosystem. Her world is one of foggy beats, zipping electronica and falsetto voices. “Cold Lake” heats up the scenery and delivers Ishana a hot hit.

BANDCAMP: https://ishana.bandcamp.com/

In an almost clandestine turn, Ishana sings with a mix of sultry fever, and one of an artist reflecting on a lifetime ago. This song has a rippling effect – her emotional scarring bleeds out in the way she sings. I wandered around in the music bed many hours (again) after the first listen. The dripping, positive beats feel warm and happy. Underneath that mix, though, is a darker, more mysterious tone. I feel what she’s trying to communicate in this song is that she’s been in the quick sand (a lyric she does use) and has found herself back in that state-of-mind. I think this song is about losing a loved one. She’s trying to awaken her soul again, swim to the top of the water’s surface to breathe. Really breathe again. She’s still very fragile, but has found her voice. The backing music reminds me of a happening pop electronica track, but all music fans should take a listen.

Her voice is hauntingly elegant. “Cold Lakes” even has moments where it sounds like it’s in the world-music genre. She wraps her harmonies very tightly around the music bed. In turn, there are times when the music bed engulfs her voice. I have to say these were some of my favorite moments. Her voice completely blends with the electronica. It’s gorgeous. Her elegance, though is really because she has the ability to sound dainty and empowered in the same measure. She possesses incredible vulnerability in “Cold Lake”. She guides the listener to a place where you not only feel her sorrows, but you champion her realizations. She has eureka moments that she wants to share in this open-diary song. I think the more I listened to this song, the more “Cold Lake” did feel positive. At first I really didn’t think it was a happy song, but after a few more spins, it made me smile. It grew on me. I think listeners will find the same experience to be one of joy and inner reflection. She really connects with the listener in “Cold Lake” and has an instant rapport. She finds a way to open her heart.

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ishana.music/?hl=en

Raised in Montreal, Canada, Ishana still resides in ‘The City of Saints’. Other artists that hail from Montreal include the icon Leonard Cohen, Corey Hart, Grimes, Gino Vannelli and Arcade Fire. Ishana has performed at the Montreal International Jazz Festival and around town with various bands. “Cold Lake” is from her sophomore album, Old Skin II. I give high praise indeed for “Cold Lake”.

Mindy McCall