Isla Vidal releases debut EP ‘Hija’

Cuban-American Isla Vidal is a genre-fluid artist who looks to her heritage and surroundings growing up to inform her highly original creative output. Floating between a range of styles from alternative folk to electronic pop to rock, filtered through Latin influence and Cuban rhythms, she crafts a cross-cultural sound that’s at once original and entirely compelling.

First appearing on the track “Home” alongside Copper Creatures and Gian Torri in 2021, she unveiled her own sonic vision earlier this year with the single “Tejedora.” Followed up by singles “Melodías” and “Heirlooms,” she now brings us her most ambitious project to date with her debut EP titled “Hija.”

Named after the Spanish word for ‘daughter,’ the Ep’s ethos tracks a commitment to Isla’s younger self, the younger selves of her mother and grandmother and those of her ancestors before them; a sonic celebration of her family ties and cultural roots. Across six tracks, Isla Vidal delivers a stunning run through of the full scope of her sound, marked by contrasting style, evolving moods and tempo, all capped by her alluring vocal delivery.

Opened by “Tierno,” the EP starts off with haunting vocalisations before Isla’s lead voice enters to spin lyrics in Spanish and English. Starting with an intimate a cappella style, the delicate patter of percussive shots raises the anticipation before the song erupts into an emphatic alternative pop outing driven by deep bass, synth tones and punchy beats as Isla’s commanding vocal ride above repeating the oscillating lines throughout.

Her debut single “Tejedora” follows with sweet acoustic guitar notes tumbling below her beautifully dancing voice. Her Latin inspirations shine brightly as she crafts a folk Flamenco fusion that builds with gentle rhythm and intricate flutter on the guitar as the fragile delivery of her vocals carries the song.

“Heirlooms” follows to showcase her pop-focused songwriting talent via an atmospheric sound that bends from soft stripped back verses to gritty rock-infused choruses packed with guitar crunches and pounding drums. “Melodías” captures a hazy aesthetic of moody alternative pop formed by the smokey piano tones joined by the laid back snap of drums as layers of vocals drape blissfully dark melodies over the immersive arrangement.

Title track “Hija” sees Isla Vidal deliver a cinematic sound of stretching synth drones, bouncy vocal flutters, staccato string touches and lo-fi drum pulses. It’s a superb display of her originality with a creative arrangement and alluring melodies on a song that wraps you in a unique sound of forward-thinking folk pop music.

The EP closes with “Bisa” with its avant-garde construction of brooding instrumental textures and abstract vocal layers. Floating through a dreamy scene that gradually builds with distant instrumental flourishes, intense sonic textures and looped vocal splices, it provides a fitting conclusion to a remarkable debut EP from an artist offering something completely new.

Listen to Hija below