In an interview with Atwood Magazine, Isabel LaRosa shares her inspirations from dark-pop that influenced her debut album ‘Raven,’ her experiences on the Psychopomp tour, and what her growing fanbase can anticipate in the future.
Stream: ‘Raven’ – Isabel LaRosa
I enjoy the idea that attending a show of a beloved artist is a true escape from reality. I want it to feel like you're transported to a different realm for an hour and a half – as if I guide you somewhere, and then you return at the end.
If you've ever gazed out the window of a gradually moving vehicle, imagining your life as a music video, Isabel LaRosa has just dropped your new favorite album. Originally from Annapolis, Maryland and currently residing in Los Angeles, LaRosa has made her mark in pop music with a keen attention to detail and a taste for the darker side. Her sound oscillates between sharp, polished sections and calmer, shadowy tones – resembling an alt-pop soundtrack crafted for your most candid thoughts.
With ‘Raven’ (released April 18 via Slumbo Labs / RCA Records), LaRosa offers a purposeful and intricately crafted album that highlights her artistry and prospects. The album’s title is drawn straight from mythology and folklore, where the raven serves as a guide between realms. “I am drawn to narratives,” she explains. “It requires so much more to assemble a full body of work… I wished the sequence to be very deliberate.”
Isabel LaRosa’s debut album ‘Raven’ releases April 2025 via Slumbo Labs / RCA Records.
While earlier singles hinted at her talents, ‘Raven’ arrives with complete potency and resolution. The album delves beyond mere heartbreak – it penetrates into LaRosa’s true emotions. “Half of the album emerged not from a place of anger,” she clarifies, “while the other half stems from heartbreak and anger.” Tracks like “Burning” and “Cry for You” reflect her precision with emotional tones, crafting lyrics that dance between anguish and empowerment. “They convey a sense of finality,” she notes. “It’s not just, ‘Oh, I’m saddened this is over.’ It's assertive, ‘No, f* you.’”
How does it feel to finally lose me, darling?
Do you sense my presence in your vacant house?
You better hold on tight to that memory, sweetheart,
As it’s all you’ll have to live with from here on.
You took a good girl and shattered her,
Because you enjoy leaving scars.
It seems I’m heartless, merely using my heart less,
Because that’s what you’ve made me do.
I won’t shed tears for you,
As I once did when I was yours.
I won’t deceive you,
Just because you’re so insecure, oh.
Good luck trying to cope with yourself.
You seek me in everyone else.
And I won’t cry for you, I won’t cry…
– “Cry for You,” Isabel LaRosa
Isabel LaRosa © Sam Monendo
What truly distinguishes LaRosa is the connection she has forged with her audience, which existed well before ‘Raven’ was released. “Social media has allowed me to build a career quite rapidly,” she states. “It genuinely feels like one huge friend group.” Unlike most artists who meet their fans for the first time on a debut tour, LaRosa was already familiar with hers. These were not strangers singing along – they were long-time voices from her online community, showing up in person.
This familiarity infused her Psychopomp tour, which commenced on the same day as the album, with a unique emotional energy. “I have opened for artists for a long time,” she reveals. “Therefore, it was surreal to be in those same venues, but now it was for me.” In Toronto, she recounted pausing mid-performance, struck by the parallel: “It looked identical. It was an eerie feeling of déjà vu. Like, wow – this is actually happening.”
Now, with Lollapalooza on the horizon and more touring ahead, LaRosa hints at something exciting: “I’m considering something fun related to the album at this precise moment.” Given her history, she’s already making strides toward the next adventure.
We spoke with LaRosa about her album ‘Raven,’ some of her favorite songs and lyrics, and what fans can look forward to.
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:: stream/purchase Raven here ::
:: connect with Isabel LaRosa here ::
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A CONVERSATION WITH ISABEL LAROSA
Atwood Magazine: First off, congratulations on the launch of your debut album ‘Raven.’ How has the response been since its release?
Isabel LaRosa: It’s been amazing because I’ve never released a full body of work before; it’s always been EPs. This
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Isabel LaRosa talks about the dark-pop inspirations that influenced her debut album ‘Raven,’ her experiences on the Psychopomp tour, and what fans can look forward to from this emerging pop artist.