🎵 Track: Isombard
🎤 Artist: Declan McKenna
💿 Album: What Do You Think About the Car?
📅 Release Date: April 13, 2017
📺 Watch on YouTube: Declan McKenna – Isombard (Audio)
🔗 Declan McKenna’s Channel: @DeclanMcKenna
The Young Voice Taking Aim at Media Spin
Declan McKenna’s “Isombard” is a slice of modern protest pop disguised in bright, bouncing indie rock. Known for tackling societal issues with wit and melody, McKenna’s songwriting stands out for its intelligence and youthful bite — and “Isombard” is a prime example.
Lyrically, it’s a sharp satire of biased news media, delivered in his signature upbeat tone. The contrast between serious subject matter and playful energy is what gives the track its punch.
What Makes “Isombard” So Addictive
From the first few seconds, the song is electric. With fast-paced guitar riffs and a catchy chorus, it sounds like a summer anthem. But under that sunshine-pop surface, Declan drops some real commentary:
“Big up to the sound of the Foxtrot broadcast…”
He exposes manipulation, misinformation, and hypocrisy — but still manages to make it sound like fun. It’s smart without being smug.
The Brains Behind the Sound
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🎚️ Producer: James Ford (also known for work with Arctic Monkeys & Florence + the Machine)
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🎧 Mixing Engineer: Craig Silvey
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🥁 Drums: James Ford
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🎛️ Engineer: Jimmy Robertson
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🧪 Assistant Engineer: Eduardo de la Paz
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📀 Mastering Engineer: Barry Grint
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🏷️ Label: Columbia Records / Sony Music UK
James Ford’s production gives it both a polished sound and garage-like urgency. It’s refined but never overproduced — a perfect match for Declan’s chaotic honesty.
From the Album: What Do You Think About the Car?
Declan’s debut album dropped in 2017 and instantly established him as more than just an indie upstart. Isombard sits beside tracks like Brazil and Make Me Your Queen, showing his range both sonically and lyrically.
🎧 Stream the album:
Final Word
“Isombard” is a track that delivers in layers. On the surface, it’s energetic and fun, but underneath, it’s biting and bold. That duality is what makes it special. Declan McKenna proves that pop music can be both politically conscious and wildly catchy — a rare combo these days.
📺 Listen again or discover it for the first time: Isombard – Declan McKenna
📲 Follow Declan McKenna: