Isaac Howlett – Ghosts of the Tsunami

Isaac Howlett has landed three consecutive number one singles on the German Alternative Chart with “House of Cards,” “Endless Night,” and “Eggshell.” “Ghosts of the Tsunami” arrives with that momentum behind it, and the trajectory of the sound is becoming clear. Each release has moved further from the nostalgic synthpop feel of “House of Cards” and deeper into darker, more intense territory. Between this “Eggshell” and “Spiralling,” the solo project is developing its own identity that is also distinct from Empathy Test.

Daniel Myer returns as co-producer and mixer, and his influence is audible. The beats and driving bassline give the track a greater energy than “Eggshell,” while the vocal retains the same anthemic, haunting quality. The sound design work is precise throughout and the drumkit selection is a detail worth noticing. Everything feels chosen rather than defaulted to.

The lyrical concept is ambitious. Howlett drew inspiration from Richard Lloyd Parry’s 2017 non-fiction book of the same name, about the aftermath of the Japanese tsunami and accounts of the dead not knowing they were dead. “The song draws a comparison to the loss of feeling amongst the living,” Howlett has said. That framing gives the track a weight that sits underneath the energy rather than competing with it.

A full EP featuring “Eggshell,” “Ghosts of the Tsunami,” a radio edit, and remixes from Clan of Xymox, genCAB, and Suzi Sabotage is due in November, alongside a 7” picture disc. Worth watching for.

Label: Self-released Released: October 31, 2025