Cracking Spines

Isa

originally published by decider: twin cities

Maria Isa, Street Politics
(SotaRico)

Unquestionably, Maria Isa is multi-talented: She raps, sings, and spits out lyrics in English and Spanish with deftness. Her sophomore disc, Street Politics, ranges from funky, brassy Latin rhythms to steadier beats more typical of rap. (Though, the transitions between are just okay.) But she’s trying to prove she has all these disparate tools in her belt, rather than actually using them to their fullest potential. While there are standout tracks on Street Politics—the whispery, seductive “Caramelo” is fairly irresistible—there’s no real synthesis of styles, which makes the album a bit uneven. This isn’t to denounce her talents—Isa is a powerful vocalist and a clever lyricist. Likewise, her rapid-fire English verses are impressive, and there’s something alluring and even sexy when she transitions into Spanish. Still, Isa sometimes seems overwhelmed by her influences, and her songs remain a little incoherent no matter what language they’re in.