LOS ANGELES, CA- There’s something electrifying about witnessing young artists who seem to have arrived on the scene with a fully formed musical voice—and Isabella&Sebastian aren’t just knocking on the door, they’re blowing it wide open. With the release of their breezy and buoyant new single “Oxygen,” the Memphis-based duo is laying serious groundwork for their debut album Is Anybody Listening?, due out July 25.
The fact that Isabella is only 19 and Sebastian is just 13 would be impressive enough. But what’s truly exciting is the level of polish, instinct, and personality already coming through in their music. “Oxygen” isn’t just a catchy love song—it’s a showcase of artistic intuition that feels like it should come from seasoned pros. The duo clearly understands the assignment when it comes to groove and melody, and they deliver it wrapped in the warmth of analog textures and vibrant synth-funk.
The song bursts with feel-good energy. Driven by Sebastian’s tight guitar work and a punchy bassline, Isabella’s vocals glide over the rhythm with a kind of effortless cool that’s hard to teach. But it’s in the delivery—the subtle shifts in cadence, the unexpected accents on syllables, the occasional stretched note—that Isabella really makes her mark. Those little surprises in the vocal phrasing elevate the song from good to genuinely exciting.
“Oxygen” is a sequel of sorts to their earlier track “Helium,” and you can hear the thematic throughline in the playful lyrics and air-light sound. “You’re a work of art / When you talk like that,” Isabella sings, as the song builds into an ecstatic chorus: “I’m above the stars / And I can’t go back / I’m a fool for you / You know I’m lacking oxygen.” It’s a headrush of emotion and pop sparkle that feels tailor-made for summer playlists.
Sure, there’s still room for growth. That’s the thrilling part. What Isabella&Sebastian are offering now is a polished preview of what could become something truly remarkable. With their technical chops, creative spark, and fearless genre-hopping, they’ve got all the ingredients—and plenty of time—to evolve into a defining voice in indie-pop.
If Is Anybody Listening? sounds anything like “Oxygen,” the answer should be a resounding yes. Follow Isabella & Sebastian on Facebook and Instagram and X.*********************
