the drums isolette
[Photo by Qiao Meng]

Hear the Drums’ introspective alt-pop track “Isolette”

Today, Jonny Pierce’s alt-pop project the Drums debuts a new single, “Isolette.” It’s the fifth track Pierce has released from his forthcoming sixth studio album, Jonny, and, much like the previous four, is sure to become a fan favorite on the remainder of the Drums’ North American tour this summer.

Balancing bouncy instrumentals and sticky, upbeat guitars with heavy, haunting lyricism, Pierce is digging deeper than ever, unpacking his trauma-riddled childhood through riffs and refrains throughout the album’s tracklist. He captures chapters of his early life in a cult-like community in upstate New York with introspective songs like “Isolette” while leaving the door open for optimism and tenderness to trickle in.

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"My mother experienced what is referred to as a birth trauma when she was pregnant with me,” Pierce says about the inspiration for “Isolette.” “A doctor broke her water without her consent, and she immediately went into painful, traumatic labor. I was born prematurely. They rushed me into an incubator where no one was able to touch me.

"Over the course of the pandemic, I took a lot of psych courses," he continues. "In child psych, I learned that it is of utmost importance for a mother to have skin contact with her baby. It’s fundamental for bonding. We didn’t have that. The love and trust you get from that initial bonding influences how you feel love and trust in future relationships. My mother had been violated at the time of my birth, and I believe I became a symbol of that trauma. She detached from me emotionally, so on many levels, I often feel like I never really left the isolette.” 

When it comes to self-reflection, the Drums always shine. For 15 years, the band have found a way into our hearts through their unique take on pop sounds. On Jonny, Pierce lets us know he has prevailed through a tumultuous life, and found love on the other side — both for his younger self and for others. The album will be released Oct. 13 via ANTI- Records. 

Listen to “Isolette” below.

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