Michael Isaak has today released his new single titled ‘Wrong Version of Me’. A song written in the middle of a life transition, there are hints of emotional change and fear of said change, with a subtle reassurance that everything will be alright, in the end. The music perfectly takes the vocals hand in hand and creates a gentle path for the listener to take everything in.
While this is one of those songs that quietly sneaks up on you, it’s not out of any malicious or fearful intent. What I mean is that it’s very refreshing not to listen to an angry song. That seems to be the trend nowadays. And, while this song simply is, it’s also what It could be.
About ‘Wrong Version of Me’
Written in the wake of Michael Isaak’s decision to move to New York, the song wrestles with identity, change, and the unknown. “I was honestly pretty scared,” Isaak admits. “Last time I moved away, I became someone I couldn’t recognize. In a way, this song is a promise to myself to stay as genuine as I can be.” This sincerity is visible in his confessional style lyricism, which unravels his experience of struggling to differentiate between expectations and realness. The chorus, “I never thought I’d be here, with the wrong person to believe, and I never wanted to leave from here, with the wrong version of me,” encapsulates the emotional weight of these realizations, reflecting on how external influences can distort our sense of self. His authenticity extends to the recording process, in which Isaak collaborates once again with Charlie Hickey and Tyler Graham, also bringing his band to create an instantaneous, lively sonic experience.
With Matt TC Lucas on drums and Will Martinez pushing boundaries with his “wacky pedals” on electric guitar, “Wrong Version of Me” carries a rich, textured instrumentation palette. Produced by Hickey and Graham, this track maintains a balance between polished indie rock and the raw, unfiltered emotion that drives the song’s narrative. Fully self-written, “Wrong Version of Me” is a defining moment in Isaak’s catalogue, one that is unmistakably his, musically and lyrically.
Originally from Los Angeles but currently based in NYC, Michael Isaak is a rising artist who blends indie rock, folk, and alternative influences with his deeply personal storytelling. His sound is shaped by his love for guitar-driven melodies and his Arabic heritage, creating a unique fusion that resonates with listeners. In 2024, he released a six-track EP, Forever Is a Scary World, that took nearly two years to complete because of its intricate production and heartfelt lyricism. Featuring Arabic instrumentation by Abanoub Samir on “plane thoughts,” the project went on to receive over 100k streams on Spotify, resulting in Isaak’s largest headline show to date at The Moroccan Lounge in Los Angeles in July 2024.
About Michael Isaak
Indie folk, Egyptian American style.
Michael Isaak is an emerging artist from Los Angeles who draws inspiration from both guitar-driven folk and classical Arabic music. Having grown up in the US, Isaak shares how music enables him to reconnect with his homeland thousands of miles away.
In 2024, Isaak released Forever is a Scary Word, a six-track EP that he’d been crafting for almost two years. Self-produced in collaboration with Owen Korzec and featuring Arabic instrumentation by Abanoub Samir on “plane thoughts,” the project presents an intimate glimpse into Isaak’s life and internal monologue, characterized by his distinctive vocals and delicate guitar patterns.
The project went on to amass over 100k streams on Spotify, commencing in Isaak’s largest headline show to date at The Moroccan Lounge in July 2024.
LINKS:
https://www.michaelisaak.us/
https://www.instagram.com/michaelisaakk/
https://www.youtube.com/@michaelisaaktunes
https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelisaaktunes
https://open.spotify.com/artist/559rQJZL0GYH9lVU6zi5ey