INTERVIEW: iSAAC K! drops “Quantum Lover” music video

Based in the UK, iSAAC K! creates music from the crossroads between chaos and order while being driven by a desire to explore the contradictions that shape human existence, transforming life’s turbulence into songs that search for understanding, meaning and beauty. Unchained by genre or style, the future soul singer-songwriter and producer draws from gospel, soul, hip hop and pop influences, bringing them together into a sound that feels highly personal and entirely his own.

Music has been central to his story from the very beginning with his earliest experiences coming through theory lessons and learning both recorder and piano while attending boarding school and singing in church choir. But beyond formal training, music also became something far more essential; growing up through the challenges of boarding school and military secondary school, it offered a source of comfort and expression during difficult periods of his life. Radio became a vital companion, exposing him to a broad range of musical styles, while countless hours spent watching MTV helped fuel a fascination with pop culture that would later influence his own artistic output.

Those early experiences continue to echo throughout his work today and whether exploring survival, personal growth or the search for purpose, iSAAC K! approaches songwriting with honesty and emotional context. His voice plays an essential role in that process, offering a vocal range that stretches from high tenor to rich baritone to bring a remarkable flexibility to his performances, allowing each song to find its own emotional register.

Long before establishing himself as a recording artist, he’d already built an impressive performance track record. His appearances have included the Roundhouse Rising Music Festival, Lovebox Festival and Roundhouse Fundraiser Galas. He performed “Lovely Molly” with Sam Lee at the BBC Folk Awards 2016 at the Royal Albert Hall and appeared on Later… with Jools Holland alongside Jamie Cullum as part of the Roundhouse Choir in support of the Age of Anxiety record. During the Covid pandemic, he also featured on BBC One’s Comic Relief for Red Nose Day 2021, performing “Sunshine on Leith” in appreciation of the NHS.

In 2017, iSAAC K! formally introduced his recorded sound with the release of the two-track EP Sentient: Season 1. Since then, he’s continued to build his catalogue through a series of singles, including a collaboration with EM x M3, Dakari and ThaMinority on “On Our Side.” Each release has further revealed an artist capable of exploring life’s complexities through music that remains both thoughtful and emotionally compelling. Now, his latest release titled “Quantum Lover” represents another ambitious step in that journey.

Released in January, the track combines intimate human emotion with a story shaped by science, grief and hope. Produced partly at his home studio and partly at Pirate Studios Camden during the summer of last year, the song recounts the tale of a scientist desperately searching for a way to save her dying father while also confronting feelings she may still hold for another person. Wrapped up in an atmospheric alternative pop soundscape, stacks of synths glide over pulsing percussion as iSAAC K!’s expressive vocals soar above, crafting a wholly immersive musical experience unlike any other.

The accompanying music video expands upon the song’s cinematic tale, exploring the emotional fallout that follows the loss of a loved one to one of the few diseases that remains incurable. It examines how helplessness can gradually morph into hopelessness and, eventually, depression. Yet the story also introduces the possibility of transformation and following a chance meeting in a local park with a stranger who’s been facing grief of their own, the scientist discovers what may be the missing catalyst in her search for a miracle cure.

Like much of iSAAC K!’s work, “Quantum Lover” exists at the meeting poignt of personal struggle and larger questions about human determination. It’s a story driven by loss, but also by persistence, connection and the possibility of renewal, captured in a truly transportive and utterly engrossing musical setting. We caught up with iSAAC K! to find out more about his musical journey so far, his new single “Quantum Lover” and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with iSAAC K! below.

Hey iSAAC K!, how’s things?

Hey I’m feeling A-OK! thank you. I feel lighter today like a weight has been lifted. It’s such a relief when you finally get to release something you have held onto for some time.

What’s new since we last spoke in 2024?

A lot is new, my goodness. I mean Arsenal won the prem so that’s our new normal. It puts a spring in your step you know. The parade was lit and historic. Another new normal is the way Ai use has exploded. It’s fascinating to see how integrated it’s becoming into our daily lives. Work or fun, Ai is now almost always involved.

I have been practising my song-craft more too. Spinning words into loops does get intricate. And maddening. As an artist, I prefer to move in the general direction on the map kind of like a waypoint in your fav video game. The closer you get to the goal, the more data for precision. Keep meaning to film more acoustic piano and vocals for the kindred so more of those soon promise.

What are some of the musical influences that have shaped your sound?

Soul is where it’s at for me. It’s such a warm tone, very pleasant to the spirit. I am also influenced by gospel. The poetry of the Songs of Solomon blew my mind as a kid and I am still chasing that feeling to this day when I write songs. There are many more influences as you might imagine. GTA radio. Souls type games. Night City. Old school FiFA music. All these have influenced my sound into Future Soul.

What’s your creative process like when working on music?

I open a few files in Logic and do a few listens making quick OCDish edits along the way. Then go for a short walk to refresh. Maybe reflect too. Then come back and open the one that’s bugging me the most. Same applies to songwriting. Sometimes a lyric is better on a different song and that can be a bit irritating to admit. This last part of the process may seem obvious but it’s not easy but try to finish the project and actually bounce the WAV file so no more changes. Then maybe share it.

How does your environment or hometown influence your songwriting and overall sound?

My environment is a good mix of nature parks and lakes within the urban. Natural spaces offer such a relief from the chaos of life for me. When you pause in nature, you notice the birds singing. I like to imagine maybe they share some melodies with me. On some conspiracy, maybe some of their melody is actually gossip.

What was the first song you ever wrote?

I cannot even remember. But the first proper song I wrote has to be “No Fairytale”. It’s a bit difficult to sing live too but it keeps me honest vocally. I had been listening to a lot of Sade and Frank Ocean too so it came out of those musical experiences. If you haven’t heard it yet, go listen and tell me what you think of my first (proper) song.

What are your three favourite albums of all time?

Thriller by Michael Jackson. Channel Orange by Frank Ocean. Lovers Life or Diamond Life by Sade.

How did you find making your new single “Quantum Lover”?

It was such a journey. What started as an idea from my songbook travelled its way around the globe. That wistful guitar you hear on the record, that’s my mate Christian who knew the assignment bringing that lush Australian Tame Impala infused breeze to Pirate Studios Camden.

James Lehmann (mixing engineer) in Scotland and Darius in Amsterdam (mastering), completed our international mini-studio tour and I am more than satisfied that my vision and feeling for the track has been amplified and I hope it hits for someone as it does for me.

What’s the story behind the track?

When a loved one passes, especially due to one of the few incurable diseases of our time, a sense of helplessness begins to take hold. Helplessness turns into hopelessness which may inevitably spiral into full blown depression.

Quantum Lover, is the story of a scientist’s desperation to save her father and the love she may yet hold for another.

What’s been the most satisfying thing about making this release?

I wrote this song to document the feeling of grief and loss. The process of making the song was a personal exercise in therapy and the music video was very cathartic. The most satisfying thing is seeing how tasteful a story driven release can be.

What message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from the single?

I hope the listener has a moment to be with themselves. To be with their feelings and just reflect. And that it is alright to move on and enjoy life.

How did you find making the music video?

It was a mixture of dread and excitement. It was quite ambitious to try to tell this story in such a cinematic way in 5 mins or less. Though TikTok would have it way shorter. I would not have done it without my fantastic director Eve Niker who helped translate my vision to screen. Special thank you to all the actors – Chris Lunn, Claudia Raymond-Hayling, Jeremy Drakes and VMBUT for masterful cinematography and edit.

Shout out Abed, Chris and Levi too. I actually owe you lads dinner. As executive producer, it was a lot of moving parts in a moving puzzle and you have to worry about everything. But it has been rewarding to see the vision come to life on the big screen and I can’t wait to do it all over again.

How do you hope your music connects with fans, especially those discovering you through this song?

If you ever feel like no one cares. If you’re suffering with grief feeling like it will probably never go away. May my music be a campfire in the wilderness, providing a bit of warm company as you continue along your way through the dark forest. That being said, you can workout and party to my music also.

Are there any upcoming projects or releases we can look forward to?

I am excited about my Sentient EP sequel. The roll out for the first single from the EP will begin this summer and I cannot wait to show you what we have been working on.

I am excited about more collaborations in 2026 too especially the sequel to NIGHTBRAWLER with House of Allegro. Join The Kindred! on instagram for exclusives!

Watch the music video for Quantum Lover below