Michael Isaak explains the way in which Forever Is A Scary Word on his earnest debut EP — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
Blending indie pop and folk elements, the emerging Egyptian-American artist’s music embodies the internal conflict between honouring tradition and finding newfound freedom. His six-track EP, which he’s been crafting since May 2022, intertwines his heritage with a fresh musical perspective. Drawing from classical Arabic music and learning to play the oud, Isaak infuses his songs with a unique blend of cultural sounds.
Self-produced in collaboration with Owen Korzec and featuring Arabic instrumentation by Abanoub Samir on Plane Thoughts, Forever Is A Scary Word presents an intimate glimpse into Isaak’s life and internal monologue, characterized by his distinctive vocals and delicate guitar patterns.
His most recent single Hey Boy reflects Isaak’s childhood experiences and the assurance that, despite chaos, things will unfold as they should. The EP’s lead single Okay With This served as an empowering anthem, celebrating the resilience and growth he has experienced in his young adult life. Despite the challenges of leaving college, navigating changing friendships, and embracing his true self, the song underscores his journey of overcoming and thriving.
Raised in a religious Egyptian-American community, Isaak’s unique heritage infuses a novel flavour into the Western indie music scene. His musical identity has been shaped by early exposure to Arabic music, self-learned proficiency in various instruments and music production, and an admiration for modern indie, folk and pop artists such as Sufjan Stevens and Phoebe Bridgers. Isaak embarked on his musical journey with his first original song, Fabricated Love Story in 2021. “My journey in music production transitioned from being a weekly refuge for stress relief to a close confidant, a medium where I could convey my deepest feelings in a unique, personal language,” he says.
While his studies at Princeton University momentarily steered him away from music, his innate drive for creative expression eventually drew him back to Los Angeles. Since returning, Isaak has made remarkable progress in his music career, amassing over 90k streams. Additionally, he has graced the stages of iconic venues like Hotel Cafe, The Viper Room and Whisky A Go Go, further establishing his presence in the music scene.
Watch the lyric video for Hey Boy above, listen to Forever Is A Scary Word below Michael Isaak below, and find him on his website, Instagram and TikTok.
