Indie pop duo Isabella&Sebastian stylishly tackle their inner turmoil in "Lobbytommy," transforming self-doubt into sonic brilliance with a funk-infused dreamscape filled with emotion, intensity, and introspection.
Listen: “Lobbytommy” – Isabella&Sebastian
Battling the dissonance, I feel time slipping away…
* * *
Every beat of Isabella&Sebastian’s new single exudes urgency—an active, vibrant confrontation with the nagging voice in your mind that says you're not enough, juxtaposed with the fire in your spirit that pushes back. It’s an internal struggle that many may never fully resolve, one that could potentially consume us if we’re not vigilant. But what if we danced through the uncertainty? What if we faced it adorned with sparkle, courage, and rhythm?
In "Lobbytommy," Isabella&Sebastian tackle that inner chaos with flair, producing a funk-driven indie pop fever dream that pulses with sincerity, passion, and self-examination. Dynamic, passionate, and unapologetically theatrical, the track brims with shimmering beats and heightened emotions—transforming insecurity into vibrant energy and inner struggles into a captivating hook. It’s the sound of a band standing proud, converting self-doubt into musical gold.
Lobbytommy – Isabella&Sebastian
Gazing in the mirror
Trying to gain more clarity
Never thought I’d come this far
Blame it on a shattered heart
Pursuing who I aspire to be,
Rarely considering what it should be
Never imagined I’d progress so quickly
Blame it on the memories of the past
And I’m honing in on the progress I've achieved
Has my insecurity instilled fear in me?
It's just yet another lesson to embrace
No room for mistakes.
Atwood Magazine is excited to debut “Lobbytommy,” Isabella&Sebastian’s second single of the year and the final preview of their forthcoming debut album Is Anybody Listening?, set to release this Friday, July 25. Following the duo’s captivating single “Helium” from 2024 and additional recent tracks like “Jellyfruit” and “Oxygen,” the striking “Lobbytommy” emerges as a daring, beat-driven anthem showcasing 20-year-old Isabella DeFir’s heartfelt disclosures alongside 13-year-old Sebastian Stephens’ intricate instrumentation in vivid, colorful detail.
Isabella&Sebastian © 767Agency
“‘Lobbytommy’ addresses the battle against self-sabotage,” DeFir shares with Atwood Magazine. “It’s all too easy to spiral and convince yourself that you don’t deserve what you desire, but it’s vital to confront and examine why you feel that way while reminding yourself of the effort you’ve put in to reach your current position.”
“As for the title, I made a joke about getting a lobotomy at Claire’s. Sebastian mentioned that as a child, he thought it was pronounced ‘lobby Tommy,’ and we found it so amusing that we decided to name the song that.”
This mix of profound emotion and whimsical humor is emblematic of Isabella&Sebastian – a duo that merges fearless vulnerability with imaginative production. “Lobbytommy” radiates with warped sounds and unexpected embellishments: theremin swells, distorted banjo melodies, and a rhythm section that refuses to remain stagnant. Stephens’ dynamic beat production serves as the backbone, while DeFir’s vocals strike dramatically—intense, raw, and full of emotion.
Battling the dissonance
I feel time slipping away
Issuing a warning
To the girl I’ll never encounter
Disassemble the fragments
Because there's no going back inside
Oh my! Oh my!
Her voice carries a sense of urgency, yet there’s beauty as well—the kind that arises from sharing your truth, even in discomfort. It’s not merely catchy (though it is incredibly catchy); it’s also cathartic. A soul-stirring cry wrapped in sequins and syncopated rhythms.
Isabella&Sebastian © 767Agency
For Isabella DeFir, who has long faced challenges with self-sabotage and feelings of inferiority, this song holds personal significance.
“I often find myself as my own biggest adversary, convinced that I’m not putting in enough effort towards my aspirations,” she admits. “When my hard work began to bear fruit in my music and as Isabella&Sebastian, I had fully convinced myself that I didn’t deserve my own achievements. I was overly critical of my lyrics and my voice, spending far too long dismissing my efforts.”
“It reached a point where I could hardly sleep, overwhelmed with frustration and insecurity regarding my art. Instead of recognizing and being grateful for the progress I’d made, I only compared myself to others who were much further ahead. I thought I was questioning how to work harder and improve, but I was really asking, ‘How can
Indie pop duo Isabella&Sebastian stylishly tackle their inner turmoil in "Lobbytommy," transforming self-doubt into musical brilliance with a funk-infused dream that radiates emotion, intensity, and introspection.
