Rodes Rollins & HNRY FLWR - "Isolation"
Some collaborations are meant to be. That’s precisely the case with the just-released duet between the very like-minded Rodes Rollins and HNRY FLWR. The two New York City-based artists share a similar appreciation for the dark and mysterious, showcasing their flair for the mystical through their majestic songcraft and dramatic music videos. So, with their combined powers and talents, they recently recorded a gorgeous, intimate version of Rollins’ song “Isolation,” and paired it with a stunning video shot inside an empty Troy Music Hall.
On its own, “Isolation” is a stirring track, and the re-worked version further bolsters the painful longing for connection that's conveyed through its words and sounds. Though the duet is more stripped down than the original, the absence of more fleshed-out instrumentation allows the vocal interplay between Rollins and FLWR to cut incredibly deep. They trade verses at first with each of their distinct voices powerfully projecting the overwhelming feeling of loneliness against a light backdrop of acoustic guitars. Their misty harmonies ring out in the choruses, as they relatably and achingly sing “And I’ve never felt more lonely before, but I know I’m not the only one. So, take another step forward and know that someone is watching us grow.” Before the final chorus, FLWR provides a spoken-word verse that sounds like voicemail, where he recounts waiting in line for a show, concluding the message with “I miss you.”
The video draws power from its simplicity. The two perform in an empty theater with preceding shots of them making their way through the empty seats and the desolate backstage area before arriving on stage. In a year where theaters and venues have remained empty, it’s a stinging reminder of the crater-like void in the lives of musicians and music lovers, but at the same time, the images and sounds of Rollins’ and FLWR’s impassioned performance remind us that we’re not in this alone. Better days are on the horizon.
Streat the video below.
You can listen to “Isolation” on your streaming platform of choice. Keep up with Rodes Rollins by following her on Instagram and liking her on Facebook, and be sure to follow HNRY FLWR on Instagram and Facebook, as well!
Both artists have also previously appeared as guests on Look At My Records! Check out Rollins’ October 2018 appearance here and FLWR’s March 2019 appearance here.
