Alexandra Isley is an American singer-songwriter and producer. She released her debut EP The Love/Art Memoirs in 2012. Isley has worked with artists including Scarface, Terrace Martin, Masego, 9th Wonder, Tank and the Bangas, and Lucky Daye.
Alex Isley | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Alexandra Isley |
| Origin | New Jersey, U.S.[1] |
| Genres | R&B, soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, producer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Website | www |
Born Alexandra Isley, she is the daughter of Ernie Isley of the prolific soul group the Isley Brothers.[2] Isley spent most of her childhood in New Jersey before moving to Los Angeles.[1] She named Stevie Wonder, Prince, Ella Fitzgerald, Toni Braxton, Aaliyah, and Mariah Carey as early favorite musicians.[1][3] She loved singing from childhood and her family supported her pursuit of music as a professional career.[1]
She began classical vocal training at age 12 and later graduated from LA County High School for the Arts.[4] Isley received her bachelor's degree from UCLA, where she studied in the jazz department.[5]
Isley has synesthesia, and described the phenomenon to LA Weekly: "There's a canvas in my mind, and the whole thing is painted, or it's a continuous wave of color...Sometimes I'll start composing something and I'll have to change the key because the color won't sit right with me."[5]
Isley released her self-produced debut EP The Love Art/Memoirs in 2012.[5] Okayplayer reviewed the EP positively: "please believe Alex’s lush vocals over her own calming production is capable of spawning a generation of love babies much like “Between The Sheets” did."[6]
Isley described her music as r&b with hip hop and jazz influences.[1] Samantha Callender of Essence referred to her voice as "silky smooth vocals that ride neo-soul melodies."[1] She has collaborated with artists such as 9th Wonder on the track "Rain Clouds"; Lucky Daye and Masego on "Good & Plenty (Remix)"; Chromonicci on "Interstellar"; and Christian Kuria on "Toroka."[1][7][8][9]
In November 2019 she released the joint EP Wilton with producer Jack Dine.[10] In May 2020 Isley performed a concert for NPR's Tiny Desk series.[2] That year she was also a featured vocalist for the Cautious Clay track "Reaching", on the soundtrack for Insecure's fourth season.[11]
In 2022 she released Marigold, a collaborative album with Jack Dine. Jackie B. of Soul Bounce reviewed the project positively: "Alex Isley and Jack Dine remain as a melodious match made in heaven as they take us through a cycle from sprout to blossom to full bloom on Marigold."[12]
Isley resides in Los Angeles.[2] She has a daughter (b. 2017).[1]
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Dreams in Analog[13] |
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| L U X U R Y |
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| Marigold (with Jack Dine) |
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| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| The Love/Art Memoirs |
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| The Beauty of Everything, Part 1 |
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| The Beauty of Everything, Part Two |
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| Wilton (with Jack Dine) |
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