The beauty of Ishana’s new single, “Steady Eyes” is the ethereal garden of evocation that it cultivates. There’s not an over reliance on sizzle or hyperbolic gimmicks. It’s a mostly straightforward piece, with a few clever effects, that allow the delightfully waifish Ishana, to shine. Most wouldn’t consider music of this genre, to be immediate, but this azure shaded track, resonates from the start. It’s a four minute meditation session that you are likely to revisit.
Montreal is something of an undiscovered metropolis of rich culture. Most people think of Toronto, when it pertains to Southeastern Canada. But ask anyone who has visited Montreal, and they will tell you that something they sampled there, was among the best in its genre. Be it an eatery, museum, or nightlife, Montreal is a bit of a happy secret. So it’s only natural to assume that the city is host to a bevy of talented artists of all crafts.
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Ishana, while technically not a Montreal native, has emerged as one of its most promising young performers. At first sight, she is unassuming and low maintenance, but a deeper dive will show you a truly inspired and diverse songwriter. With a degree in classical guitar, and a self taught producer/mixer, Ishana certainly possesses the credentials to warrant praise. Her story is unique, but it also seems perfectly paved to lead her to where she is now. She has set herself apart, by barely focusing on aesthetics, and instead, creating a body of work with exceptional depth.
“Steady Eyes’” seems to advocate focus and remaining committed to personal growth. The lyrics are akin to seeing a painter illustrate a canvas in real time. It has a shyness about it. Ishana comes across like the shy introvert, who sees her enormous talent as little more than a relatively common character trait. On “Steady Eyes” she shows a remarkably competent grasp on not only the artistic aspect of making music, but the technical side as well.
It’s not entirely clear, if Ishana is completely self-produced, or if she collaborates. Neither would come as much of a surprise, but the mere fact that her abilities make this possible, is impressive. “Steady Eyes” is the current single from Old Skin 2, which is the middle chapter of an album trilogy. If we are to assume that the title symbolizes a shedding process, and a subsequent new beginning, then the themes of Ishana’s work begin to unravel. Her journey is likely very personal, but she avoids the trappings of that, by not coming off as self-absorbed.
Ishana seems to possess such an astounding, or even devastating vulnerability, that it may come off as meek. A song like “Steady Eyes” straddles the parameters of self-awareness, and chooses to focus on its fledgling lucidity. It invites you, in place of seeking your attention. I could compare it to some of fellow Canadian’s, Alanis Morissete’s post, Jagged Little Pill work, in that it has an inquisitive style. What is certain is that Ishana is going to open a lot of eyes, if her quality of work continues to develop at this rate.
Levi Colston