an Americana folk pop philosophy steeped in realism and whiskey-soaked honesty –

Iyla Elise created a new Americana folk pop philosophy with Ain’t Linear, a meditation on how, day by day, your mind, body and soul can sway one way. The roots-deep release feels like the ultimate permission slip to live in the present, and to accept whatever emotions and transgressions the present brings with it. Built on honesty rather than gloss, Ain’t Linear unfolds as an earworm you can mine endless self-consolation from, guided by a trailblazing independent singer-songwriter whose voice would feel equally at home in a dusky dive bar and on the biggest stages.

There’s a quiet power in the way Ain’t Linear holds space for contradiction. Anyone chasing endless happiness will recognise the deeper truth running through the song; realism often brings far more peace than forced optimism. Sugarcoating nothing while never leaning into self-pity, the organically timbred arrangement lets every whiskey-soaked note breathe. Each vocal swell steals the oxygen from your lungs in the most grounding way possible, anchoring you firmly in the now. It’s a track that understands fluctuation as part of being human, and that understanding radiates from every corner of the production.

Hailing from a small town on the east coast of Virginia, Iyla Elise draws from Americana, country and blues traditions, threading relatable lyricism with melodies that land straight in the chest. Her storytelling carries the weight of lived experience, shaped by years of songwriting recognition and steady releases that have built genuine momentum. With Ain’t Linear, Iyla Elise has already delivered one of the most grounding releases of the year, setting the bar transcendently high through an affectingly authentic approach to song crafting.

Ain’t Linear is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast