Primarily it's involved being a film and television composer, working on her sister Phoebe’s smash Fleabag, Autumn De Wilde’s update of Emma and the acclaimed dark comedy Sweetpea. One of the things underpinning these projects across a range of disparate genres is the breadth of Isobel’s score, suiting both period works, epics and intimate character-driven projects.
This range is apparent on her sophomore record, solo project Objects from the seven-minute opener “Pillow”. It has a cinematic quality to it, easy to picture as part of a score, hauntingly beautiful but never feeling its length, full of depth. “Glass” feels like something from a horror film, with background noise and effects at its epicentre; it’s an uncomfortable listen at times, a far cry from what we might expect from Isobel. Its second half balances the textures of her soundtrack work with the more experimental nature. It’s an intoxicating blend with shades of Brian Eno yet still distinctly Waller-Bridge’s own sound.
The project is a real labour of love, having been recorded during periods of downtime across four years. The background effects draw on her interest in musique concrète, which mined sounds directly from our environment. The minimalism and intersection of electronic and classical influences create a constantly engaging listen.
"Objective Contemplation” features serene woodwinds and
orchestral elements, building a more baroque environment, offering a
contrast to what we’ve heard previously. It creates a sense of calm
amidst some of the more disquieting elements elsewhere. “Hoover”
meanwhile, feels contemplative and dreamlike, a soundscape of its own.
These two tracks really encapsulate the diversity of this project and
Waller-Bridge’s overall output a fine showcase for her dexterity as an
artist.
“Shoe” continues in the baroque vein, a gorgeous listen
with sirens wailing, barely audible in the background. It feels like it
is soundtracking an event in real time, one that is just out of glimpse.
There is a sense of calm accompanying the rush of the daily routine,
allowing us a moment to pause amidst the chaos.
With Objects, Isobel Waller-Bridge cements her credentials
as far more than simply a film composer with plenty of introspection
and self-reflection. The blend of contemporary classical, baroque and
electronic and ambient (sometimes all within the same track) is
fascinating and wide ranging. It’s the sound of someone constantly
tinkering, learning and finding her own voice.
