The ballad “True North” shows why Iyla Elise has quickly become one of the most compelling new voices in Americana. Released in August 2025, the single pares its instrumentation down to just piano and guitar, allowing the singer songwriter’s voice to drive the song. The piano chords carry a gentle tremolo and subtle guitars trace the edges, while the arrangement never swells beyond what the story needs. The result feels almost cinematic; reviewers have noted that the song could easily soundtrack a film’s closing scene because it balances intimacy and drama.
Elise sings about finding direction amid loss, weaving a brief reference to her father into a larger metaphor about home and hope. Her performance is impressive: she uses her range with clarity and dynamic control, letting notes soar when needed and pulling back to convey vulnerability. It is stripped back yet powerful, a song that quietly grows in scale the longer you sit with it.Beyond the single itself, understanding Iyla Elise’s background adds depth to the listening experience. She grew up in a small town on Virginia’s eastern shore, where she was exposed to country, blues, and soul music.
“True North” is not just a great song; it also offers a window into an artist who values authenticity and musical craftsmanship. Its minimalist arrangement and emotive delivery invite listeners to focus on the lyrics and the weight behind them, while Elise’s background in classical training and her deep well of influences give the song its soulful depth. For anyone drawn to country tinged singer songwriters with an ear for melody and a heart for storytelling, Iyla Elise’s “True North” is well worth a listen.