Alex Isaacs reimagines Shakespeare in debut album “Life as You See It”

Alex Isaacs comes out of the shadows as an artist with quiet confidence and a clear purpose with his first album, "Life as You See It." Isaacs is from Ireland, but he grew up in Arizona, so he has a mix of cultures. His music is also. His music is in the delicate space between melody and literature, where one does not overpower the other but instead joins it. "Life as You See It" is great because of the idea behind it. Isaacs takes Shakespeare's words and turns them into neo-folk songs that sound like they were written today. The album isn't good because it's loud or hard to understand; it's good because the stories are honest and timeless.

The first song, "September Leaves," sets the mood right away. It's full of a longing that wants to record the slow ache of the seasons changing. Isaacs's voice is calming and full of feeling, and it comes from a place of wisdom that makes you want to stop and listen. Rorie made the video that goes with the song, and it has that same feeling in the warm light of autumn. It gives a good first look at Isaacs' world. Both "You're Missing It" and "September Leaves" show that Isaacs is not only interpreting history but also making it.

Here, songs like "Fear No More" and "Mine Eye and Heart Are at a Mortal War," which are about death and inner conflict, become personal meditations. They've been stripped down to their most basic parts and built around acoustic textures that let each syllable breathe. Isaacs is not only singing these words; he is living them. "From Venus and Adonis" and "Sigh No More" are modern love stories about loss. You can really get into this brew, and "You're Missing It" seems to be its heart and soul. It's a very modern song that gently accuses Jack and the listener of not being present in a world that is always moving forward.

"Life as You See It" doesn't try too hard on any of its ten tracks. Instead, Isaacs creates a warm and honest mood with soft guitars, patient arrangements, and a voice that sounds both old and new. People who don't pay attention for long periods of time shouldn't listen to this album. It was made to connect with people. Isaacs is wise beyond his years on this first album, something that most artists work for years to achieve. "Life as You See It" is more than just a music project. It's a way to think about time and what goes into it, and it's a way to see life as it is.