Review: “Isombard” by Declan McKenna – Indie Pop with a Razor Edge

Isombard is one of those songs that gets your attention before you even realize what it’s talking about. It sounds bright, it moves fast, and it feels like summer — but underneath all that shine is something heavier. This is Declan McKenna doing what he does best: flipping commentary into something you can move to.

At first listen, it’s all fun. Snappy guitar lines, slick rhythm, and a voice that doesn’t try too hard but still cuts through. But the more you sit with it, the more you notice what’s actually going on. The lyrics don’t dance around anything. It’s a direct hit at media manipulation and misinformation, but Declan doesn’t yell. He smiles through it, almost sarcastically, and lets the contrast speak louder than any rant could.

There’s a confidence to this track that makes it stand out. Not just in the message, but in the sound. It doesn’t lean too far into pop or rock — it floats right between. Fast, melodic, and packed with urgency, but it never loses control. That’s what makes it work. It doesn’t preach. It plays. And it plays smart.

James Ford produced the track, and you can hear it. He’s got that polished but raw edge — clean enough for replay, gritty enough to feel alive. The track doesn’t feel overdone. No fake drama, no empty space. Every second is used, but nothing feels stuffed. The mixing is tight, everything’s in the right place, and there’s this underlying tension that keeps you from zoning out. It’s catchy, yeah — but it doesn’t let you forget there’s something real being said.

And that’s the real win here. Isombard doesn’t separate substance from sound. It blends them. That kind of balance is hard to pull off, especially at the level Declan was at back in 2017, fresh off his debut album What Do You Think About the Car?. But this track made it clear — he wasn’t just another indie kid with a guitar. He had something to say, and he wasn’t afraid to tuck it under a beat that made you nod your head.

The rest of that album has moments too — Brazil got people looking, Make Me Your Queen showed range — but Isombard is where the tone really sharpens. It’s fast, it’s focused, and it doesn’t waste a second. No ballads, no breakdowns. Just straight-through motion with something sharp behind the smile.

If you’ve ever needed proof that a protest song doesn’t have to sound like one, this is it. And if you’re just here for a track that sounds good and holds up with time, this is that too. It’s one of those rare songs that can live in both lanes — smart and simple, serious and fun, all at once.