Brooklyn’s ISTA arrive in a glitter drenched blur of groove and grit on In Sound To All, a kaleidoscopic record that channels acid test psychedelia and Studio 54 decadence into something distinctly their own. Formed by West Coast transplants frontman vocalist, Rex Costello, and lead guitarist, Oliver Hart, who then expanded their union into a co-ed five piece with Evan Eubanks, Diona West, and Chloe Golding, the band thrives on chemistry. ISTA’s leading ladies stand out with West’s magnetic bass lines and soulful vocals and Golding’s shimmering, atmospheric keys.
Lead track “Gods In Heat” captures ISTA at their most immersive, evolving from a spontaneous bass riff into a hypnotic, rhythm driven meditation on instinct and connection. “Crusher” bursts open with its steady beat and mantra like chorus “Love is the new order / Love is the fear crusher,” while “Waves” begins with Diona’s whisper-like vocals and is soon joined by Rex’s rap with both vocalists coming together chanting “Hearin’ waves, super, sonic!”. Recorded live with producer Sam Cohen, the album pulses with immediacy, its loose interplay giving each track a lived-in warmth.
Blending rock, funk, disco, electronic, and punk influences, ISTA creates a sound that feels both retro and strikingly current. Less a collection of songs than a vibrant, communal atmosphere, inviting listeners to lose themselves and groove freely.
