There are plenty of reasons to feel a little overwhelmed by the state of the world right now. Jake Isaac’s response has been to make music that reminds us why we need each other.
Following recent single A Summer Long Ago, Jake has released When The World’s On Fire, a soulful collaboration with American singer-songwriter Aaron Childs built around the importance of community, kindness and simply showing up for the people around you.
“If you want to go fast go alone, but if you want to go far stick together, don’t let go,” Jake sings.
It’s a simple sentiment, but one that sits at the centre of what Jake has been trying to create with his recent music.
“I wanted to touch on things in the present,” he explains. “It would be foolish to not give a nod to the temperature of the world because it feels like we’re on the brink of something, so highlighting human contact, human emotion, and championing it in the time of AI and hidden agendas coming to light felt important.”
When The World’s On Fire was written and produced entirely by Jake, with Aaron joining him for the second verse and contributing guitar.
And the pairing makes a lot of sense.
Music was part of both of their lives long before either began building careers of their own. Jake grew up surrounded by gospel through his father, a reverend, while Aaron is the son of Grammy-winning jazz musician Billy Childs. They also share an appreciation for Bill Withers, something that feels particularly at home within the warmth and restraint of the new track.
Aaron’s lighter vocal provides a lovely contrast to Jake’s distinctive huskier tone, while his guitar adds to the song without overwhelming what is ultimately a fairly intimate message.
“When Jake sent me When The World’s On Fire and asked if I’d want to sing on it I felt my whole day get brighter,” Aaron says.
He describes hearing a “quiet urgency” in the song, particularly in the way its groove keeps moving beneath lyrics about vulnerability, kindness and being there for somebody when things aren’t easy.
That emphasis on songs actually meaning something has increasingly become central to Jake’s music.
Before establishing himself as an artist in his own right, he worked with the likes of Duffy, Gabrielle and Cynthia Erivo as a songwriter, drummer and musical director. He also spent time working in marketing at a record label, an experience which ultimately helped him realise that chasing numbers wasn’t what he wanted his own career to be about.
There have been some fairly sizeable moments along the way regardless, including support from Sir Elton John and performing on Glastonbury’s Other Stage.
But 2024 album BENJAMIN took things somewhere more personal, exploring Jake’s gospel roots, spirituality, family and the things he values most. It also brought renewed support from Radio 2, something which has continued with recent single A Summer Long Ago.
Jake will play shows in Zurich tonight and Lucerne on 9 September before returning to London for an already sold-out stripped-back headline show at St Pancras Old Church on 10 September.
When The World’s On Fire is out now.
