Narc. Magazine Online
Reliably informed
The North-East singer-songwriter tells us about her top five non-horror films as she releases her haunting new offering, Ruins
Photo by Howy White
North‑East singer‑songwriter Isabel Maria returns with Ruin, an atmospheric new single recorded in Brooklyn just before Halloween, pushing her piano‑led, lyrically sharp sound into darker, more cinematic territory. Haunting, resonant piano, hypnotic guitar lines, creeping bass and a brooding, rumbling chorus form an ominously beautiful backdrop for Isabel’s melodic, ethereal vocal, which lifts and soars at the song’s most dramatic moments. Conceptually, Ruin digs into self‑sabotage and the way we sometimes turn the people we love into villains to protect ourselves — a theme Isabel frames through the lens of a horror film.
Since the initial idea was to write a song about how much she hates horror films Isabel, who will be performing at Cluny 2 on on Sunday 13th July, lists her top five fave non-horror movies…
Serendipity (2001)
This is my favourite film. I grew up watching loads of New York rom coms with my grandma in her sitting room – that’s probably what catalysed my love for NYC, where I recorded Ruin – and this was always a standout for me. Such a lovely (albeit, obviously, quite unrealistic) take on chance encounters and it instilled a love in me for black leather gloves and over the top sentimentality.
The Wild Robot (2024)
I went to see this in cinemas when it came out. I’d spent a few days in my own company and I felt like I needed something to do, so I got up and saw this at 9am with a cup of coffee and a complete sense of oblivion to how much it would make me cry. I wept, quite loudly at one point, at a film rated U. Whilst sat a seat away from someone’s grandad.
It’s quite funny, really, but I do seriously think this is a great film and I think more adults should see it. You will weep. That is a promise.
Past Lives (2023)
This kind of is a horror film in my eyes, simply because of how soul-shatteringly devastating it is, but never mind. I also saw this in the cinema and it utterly floored me. It’s such a beautiful story, about two childhood friends who are separated when one of their families emigrates. They reunite a couple of decades later and it’s beautiful and gentle and sad and something I feel like everyone needs to see. It’s visually gorgeous too.
The Holiday (2006)
I know it’s not Christmas but we do have to talk about how great this is. Some Christmas films are objectively horrendous but we watch them for nostalgia. This one is, yes, nostalgic, but also just actually really good. The life-swap plot is very entertaining. The cast is awesome. It’s all round a very cosy heart warming little watch.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Anything that Nora Ephron has ever breathed on gets 5 stars from me. Especially if Meg Ryan is also involved. This is my ultimate autumnal comfort film. I love the characters, I love the setting (are you seeing the New York theme), I love the epic knitwear they always seem to be wearing. It’s just a 10/10 banger.
