Depression runs in the men
On my mother’s side
It’s dragging me further in
To a place I cannot hide
Isaac Howlett, the emotive voice behind synth-pop outfit Empathy Test, steps once more into the solo spotlight with Spiralling. Collaborating with the elusive European electronic collective A State of Flux, Howlett’s latest effort deftly balances heart-on-sleeve lyricism with dancefloor propulsion, charting deeply personal landscapes through textured electronica.
Spiralling unfolds like a rhythmic confession, anchored by Howlett’s unmistakable vocal clarity. The song confronts hereditary despair, capturing the relentless pull of depression and anxiety in evocative detail. It paints a stark emotional portrait, magnified through lush synth arrangements and subtle electronic intricacies courtesy of Flux’s inventive production. Together, they achieve a rare alchemy, merging cerebral introspection with kinetic energy, crafting a track equally suited for private reflection or communal catharsis.
Howlett bravely acknowledges the toll mental health struggles exact not merely upon the self but also on those closest by, layering his lyrics with empathy and accountability. Yet the song’s infectious beat and compelling melody never allow the darkness to overwhelm, resulting in an experience both danceable and deeply resonant.
“I’m in the privileged position of being asked to collaborate a lot, but rarely find time,” says Howlett. “However, when a deliciously dark demo entitled Spiralling landed in my inbox, I was immediately inspired. The lyrics come from something my late grandfather said, which stuck with me; ‘depression runs in the men, on your mother’s side.’ I felt like a time-bomb waiting to explode.”
A State of Flux, renowned for their anonymous experimentation and eclectic roster of talent including Arc, Peter 7, Sacred Geometry, and The Zero Movement, lend Spiralling their distinctive sonic fingerprint. Retro-futuristic synth textures collide gently with mathematically precise rhythms, carving spaces that feel simultaneously familiar and freshly experimental. This interplay complements Howlett’s emotional transparency, heightening the impact without ever overpowering the vulnerability at its core.
“We wanted to create a musical backdrop that, on the surface, seemed immediately accessible, but also delivered on complexity that mirrored Isaac’s personal expression,” says Peter 7. “It was a highly collaborative and fluid process where the track developed over a series of months with everyone contributing musical ideas.”
Ultimately, Spiralling exemplifies Isaac Howlett’s evolving artistry, harnessing collaboration as a catalyst to reveal emotional truths. It’s a poignant addition to his growing solo repertoire, affirming that within the electronic medium lies boundless potential for human connection.
Watch the lyric video for “Spiralling” below:
Listen to Spiralling below and order the single here.
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