Is It?

Is It? marks a significant sonic pivot for Ben Howard, moving away from the sprawling atmospheric folk of Collections from the Whiteout into a more concise, electronic-leaning 'avant-pop' territory. The album was written and recorded in the wake of Howard suffering two transient ischaemic attacks (mini-strokes) in 2022, which temporarily affected his ability to speak and remember. This trauma is woven into the fabric of the record, particularly through the use of vocal glitches, loops, and fragmented lyrics that mirror the experience of neurological recovery. Produced by Nathan Jenkins (Bullion), the album features a bright, almost tropical palette of synths and drum machines, contrasted with Howard's signature intricate guitar work. It was recorded at Le Manoir de Léon in France and Real World Studios in England, resulting in a sound that is both intimate and technically sophisticated. Critics have noted the influence of Arthur Russell in the playful yet melancholic vocal delivery and the record's successful marriage of organic songwriting with experimental electronic textures.