Sunderland has recently been termed a ‘music city’ and making good on all that that entails are artists like Isabel Maria, who is pushing pop music into some very exciting places. Isabel Maria was a recent recipient of The Crack’s ‘Single of the Month’ slot for her track ‘Missing’ – an emotional ballad thrumming with subtle hooks and a chorus that ran its finger up and down your spine in the most pleasing of manners. But that was just one of a string of fine releases that Maria has put out in the last year or two. Tracks such as ‘Ghost’ and ‘At Least We Don’t Have Kids’ are full of drama and invention, the kind of drama and invention that fans of Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams et al are sure to love. Needless to say, we’re not the only ones singing Maria’s praises. Indeed, she’s already won a North East Culture Award, an Alan Hull Award and Northern Writers Award. Quite a collection for someone so young, but if you’ve got the talent then you’ve got the talent. And Isabel Maria is overflowing with the stuff. DP

Seek: linktr.ee/isa6elmaria