The second I hear a soulful, enchanting voice sing “my silly boy, used to watch me waking up each morning” I’m taken back to the show “Nashville.” The voice is reminiscent of actress Clare Bowen’s, with a twist. She slips into a little twang but the sound echos that of an almost pop/jazz feel. However, the second “Die for You” starts, my heart aches to hear how this story ends. Isabel van Gelder has an uncanny ability to capture someone’s attention the second the first note drops.
The first time I caught wind of Gelder was on Tik Tok, like so many artists I’ve mentioned. This time was different. I expected to check out her Spotify while I did some research on the young crooner and enjoy a couple songs. To my surprise and happiness, song after song hit. Every tune had meaning behind it. The writing alone is sincere, the voice is hauntingly beautiful, the music fits every breathy release perfectly. How many lives has this woman lived?
According to a post on her IG she’s only 22 years old. Hailing from Amsterdam, that song “Die for You?”, well she wrote that when she was SEVENTEEN! Her post goes on to explain how deeply she feels and this is why all of her songs are so heartfelt. You can feel the sadness when she sings “how I wish I could unlearn to love you” took my right back to my high school heartbreak and felt it all over again. The way Gelder releases her pain through music is the reason every one of her songs resonates with at least one person who’s felt that life altering moment.
There’s not a lot of information on this soon to be starlett; but I assure you it won’t be long before we hear her on pop stations across the country. I could see a Country Cross Over as well…but time will tell.