After parting from RCA Records, Dunbar is ready to put out his first full-length album — independently. And if his latest single, “Late to the Party”, is anything to go by, it’s going to be a riot.
Now known for his ’80s-style fashion and clear references to “art pop, punk rock and discotheque”, Isaac Dunbar started his music career in his Massachusetts bedroom with a “cracked” version of FL Studio music software. It is only natural, then, that the singer continues to pursue a homely feeling, bringing listeners into the story like they’re the person behind the handheld camera of one of his music videos.
After releasing five EPs and spending the past few years of his career under RCA Records, Dunbar is now ready to put out his fi rst full- length album — independently. If his latest single, Late to the Party, is anything to go by, we can expect pop beats, relatable lyrics and sultry videos made with an air of liberty.
Despite the confidence the artist displays in his writing, though, the Freddie Mercury-esque musician (think moustache, white vest and eccentric dance moves) ultimately exudes gratitude. He is grateful to be able to make music, grateful to be able to play, grateful to meet fans and grateful to speak to HUNGER about it.
With his first independent release now out in the world and a mood board full of the greats, the 21-year-old is ready — and he wants everyone else to be there, waiting on the dancefloor.
Francesca Ionescu: How are you? How is life treating you at the moment?
Isaac Dunbar: I’m doing even better now that I’m chatting with you! This morning I woke up and brainstormed some new promo ideas for my newest single and now I’m with you.
FI: You’ve been releasing music since 2019. What’s your most memorable moment from your time in the industry so far?
ID: Jeez, so many things! I mean, some highlights would include the festivals I’ve played, getting to tour and sell out shows, seeing my beautiful and fabulous fans face to face, meeting people I’ve looked up to my whole life. I’m just so grateful.
FI: Let’s talk about your newest single, Late to the Party.
ID: It’s a rejection anthem. It’s about someone being metaphorically “late to the party” — the “party” being you. Everyone has value and something to bring to the table. When someone doesn’t see that, we tend to shut down. The song is about not minding rejection.
FI: What was it like to release it independently after leaving your major-label record deal?
ID: So far, so good. I’m just excited to keep pushing out songs. We’ll see what happens from there!
FI: The video for Late to the Party is also super-strong. It has a kind of VHS feel. Can you tell me about the concept behind it?
ID: As it's my first independent release since being signed, I wanted to pay homage to that. I quite literally made the whole video with some of my closest friends — they helped me with lighting, body movements, composition. It's almost a manifestation video in a weird way, too. The world better not be late to my party! This is a new era, and the sort of VHS, homey feeling is ushering in what I would consider a really cool start. It's all symbolic to me.
FI: What else are you working on at the moment?
ID: I'm working on my debut album. I've never put out a full-length body of work before, so I have a hundred emotions running through me at this current moment. I'm so excited because it's something I've always wanted to do. There's also, of course, the nerves. I can't pay any mind to that, though.
FI: What kind of sound can we expect?
ID: My sound is so dramatic. It's the opposite of minimal. I had such a strange musical upbringing — from my mother playing me Stevie Nicks and contemporary Christian music, to my father blasting reggae and Afrobeats in the car with the windows down. I eventually found a North Star, Lady Gaga. I loved her unapologetic and intelligent music and still do. Right now, I'm very inspired by the late '70s and early '80s, baroque instrumentation and pure pop.
FI: You have a super-unique aesthetic, too — everything you're wearing in these pictures is your own. How would you say your dress sense relates to you as a person?
ID: I love nostalgia. I think it fits me best. Of course it's easy to replicate a certain era, so I have to find ways to make it fresh. My style is often a reflection of the art I'm generating behind the scenes — I love living, breathing and wearing the music I make. Currently, and I think for a while into the future, I'm gonna be calling back to the '70s and '80s. But I also love 2025 New York! The current Bushwick gay attire and nonbinary fashion is really inspiring.
FI: Would you say there's a particular message or philosophy you're aiming to put out as an artist?
ID: You can be anyone or anything that you'd like. Show your dimension without fear.
PHOTOGRAPHER Rankin
WRITER Francesca Ionescu
PHOTOGRAPHER'S ASSISTANT Olly Dundas
RETOUCHING FTP Digital
