Emerging singer-songwriter Isabelle Gitlin delivers an evocative blend of pop, country, and soft rock influences in her latest single, ‘Long & Gone’.
Bringing together a rich soundscape of strummed acoustic guitar, Gitlin’s effortlessly controlled and emotive vocals and some beautifully placed, ambient guitar lines, the track sets a melancholic, emotive tone. Growing into the infectious chorus, punching drums and bass enter as the vocals soar into a catchy and dramatic lead line.
Growing through the second verse before reaching a middle-eight of sprawling, impressive vocal runs, the track closes on a climactic final chorus. Comparable to the likes of Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift, the track is a brilliant piece of country-pop that lingers long after the tracks end.
At its core, ‘Long & Gone’ explores the ache of losing someone you never truly had—a complex blend of sadness, longing, and self-doubt. Isabelle opens up about the emotional weight behind the song: “It’s very difficult to sit in that pain, especially when there’s nobody to blame. It can feel isolating, like there’s something wrong with you, but it’s just a hard situation.” This introspective and relatable theme, paired with Isabelle’s soulful delivery, makes ‘Long & Gone’ a compelling addition to her growing discography.
‘Long & Gone’ began on the piano, a hallmark of Isabelle’s songwriting process. “I always start off by playing melodies on the piano and then adding more parts and pieces,” Isabelle explains. “It’s very therapeutic for me.” The song’s raw emotional resonance was further shaped through a collaborative effort with her friend Talitha, whose creative insights helped bring the track’s poignant narrative to life.
