Album review: IN ISOLATION – A Certain Fractal Light

IN ISOLATION - A Certain Fractal Light

Nottingham based three piece In Isolation – vocalist/guitarist Ryan Swift, guitarist/bassist John Berry, and drummer Tony Ghost – wear their New Romantics influences very openly on their sleeves, but at the same time manage to create a vibrant and current sound.

Since emerging in 2009, a host of singles have nurtured a keen appetite in fans and the media with a number of songs appearing in TV and movie productions. And bringing in producer Gavin Monaghan (Editors/Babes In Toyland/ Paolo Nutini) has been something of a coup.

It’s strange to think of the eighties without synths, but there’s no sign of them on the sleeve credits, guitar effects seemingly being used to create the swirling ethereal backdrops that permeate the set.

But it’s Swift’s vocal phrasing – that refracts that of Martin Fry, Simon Le Bon, and Holly Johnson, et al – that really nail the band’s colours firmly eighties mast. Berry’s prominent bass lines drive the set along at pace, there’s plenty of big chorus lines, and Kaytee DeWolfe provides a very effective counterpoint on several numbers, her Eastern wailing being particularly effective on ‘Not Noticing’.

It’s an impressive set, even if is perhaps a little overly ‘retro’ at times, and a little variety in pace – the pedal is rarely lifted from the metal – wouldn’t have gone amiss. ***

Review by Pete Whalley

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)