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


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024

ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply