Sam Isaac - Sideways

Posted 19th Dec 2007 in Single Reviews, Sam Isaac by Martin Guttridge-Hewitt |

'Sideways' marks Sam Isaac's first release since the 'Eighteen Nine' album this summer, and manages to successfully maintain the emotional output that the 21-year-old singer/songwriter has become renowned for. 'Sideways' rolls along like a soundtrack to a youthful summer of fun, or a coming of age indie film. Whilst this may evoke images of overly emotional Dawson's Creek episodes or that climactic season finale of The OC, the merits of this record reach beyond these.

The harmonious acoustics create an incredibly personal feeling that is hard to deny. Whilst it's possible to liken Isaac to Jack Johnson or Ed Harcourt, there is something unique to this sound. The honesty of the songwriting is the product of youthful naivety, creative genius, or both. Either way, it works in creating an inviting atmosphere with which to feel as though we are sitting round that bonfire with cheap beers and the world at our feet.

The B-side's offering is 'Cinematic Low', a more melancholic track that is littered with lyrics that ooze Isaac's thoughtful, emotional sound: "I trust my friends/I try to impress, a little less." The layered sound of both tracks seals the deal here. Strolling piano notes set to the kind of indie-sound that should be easier to find. The result is a rich tapestry of well produced and intelligently written music that, if there is justice, will imbed Isaac in the popular conscious. With 'Sideways' Isaac has once again managed to hit the right keys that lead straight to the mind and heart. A track that brings back memories of times before you even heard it is a rarity indeed.

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