Spiralling from Spiralling by Isaac Howlett and A State of Flux
Isaac Howlett, front person of acclaimed synth-pop outfit Empathy Test, unveils his latest solo single Spiralling - a raw, dance-floor-ready track addressing depression and anxiety from his own lived experience. Collaborating with the enigmatic European music collective A State of Flux, Howlett delivers a compelling blend of accessible hooks and emotional nuance, transcending genre boundaries.
Drawing from diverse electronic influences, Spiralling creates a soundscape that’s both immediate and immersive, pairing dance-floor rhythms with rich, emotionally layered textures. It’s a musical journey into the depths of inner turmoil.
“I’m in the privileged position of being asked to collaborate a lot, but rarely find time. 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.”
– Isaac Howlett
Behind the production, A State of Flux, known for its creative anonymity and fluid collective ethos, crafted a backdrop that marries both clarity and complexity...
“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. It was a highly collaborative and fluid process where the track developed over a series of months with everyone contributing musical ideas.”
– Peter 7, A State of Flux
Isaac Howlett, front person of acclaimed synth-pop outfit Empathy Test, unveils his latest solo single Spiralling - a raw, dance-floor-ready track addressing depression and anxiety from his own lived experience. Collaborating with the enigmatic European music collective A State of Flux, Howlett delivers a compelling blend of accessible hooks and emotional nuance, transcending genre boundaries.
Drawing from diverse electronic influences, Spiralling creates a soundscape that’s both immediate and immersive, pairing dance-floor rhythms with rich, emotionally layered textures. It’s a musical journey into the depths of inner turmoil.
“I’m in the privileged position of being asked to collaborate a lot, but rarely find time. 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.”
– Isaac Howlett
Behind the production, A State of Flux, known for its creative anonymity and fluid collective ethos, crafted a backdrop that marries both clarity and complexity...
“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. It was a highly collaborative and fluid process where the track developed over a series of months with everyone contributing musical ideas.”
– Peter 7, A State of Flux
Tracklist
| 1. | Spiralling | 3:33 |
Lyrics
Everything
Everything
Everything
Spiralling
Out of control
You’re holding me
So I can breathe
So I can’t hurt myself again
And I know this is hurting you
I know that I’m hurting you
Depression runs in the men
On my mother’s side
It's dragging me further in
To a place I cannot hide
And I’m falling away
Been falling for days
And I’m falling away
Been falling for days
Everything
Spiralling
Catastrophe, envelopes me (it’s)
I'm out of control
Anxiety
Disables me
Til I can’t feel myself again
And I know this is hurting you
I know that I’m hurting you
Depression runs in the men
On my mother’s side
It's dragging me further in
To a place I cannot hide
And I’m falling away
Been falling for days
And I’m falling away
Been falling for days
And I know this is hurting you
I know that I’m hurting you
And I know this is hurting you
And I know this is hurting you
And I know this is hurting you
Everything, spiralling
And I know this is hurting you
Everything, spiralling
And I know this is hurting you
Credits
License
All rights reserved.
British born musician now living in Linz, Austria. Best known as the singer / songwriter behind the internationally renowned synth-pop band, Empathy Test. Isaac's first solo EP "House of Cards / Endless Night" released on 7th of February, 2025 on digital/streaming, CD, and 7" picture disc.