Photo by Griffin O'Toole
Today, Breagh Isabel releases her debut EP Things I Never Told You. Listen here.
Over years of writing in the back of a tour van and traveling to and from Nashville, Breagh Isabel quietly built a catalog of songs that felt too personal to give away. While she’s spent much of her career crafting music for others, her debut EP is a collection of songs that were simply too personal to let go of.
Written over the past three years with some of her favourite collaborators such as Robyn Dell’Unto, Connor Seidel, Field Guide, and Donovan Woods, Things I Never Told You is a blend of folk, pop, and bedroom pop compiled into a 5 song EP. Initially born as songwriting demos in her home studio, these tracks evolved over the years into fully realized recordings, produced by Breagh alongside her trusted creative circle. The EP also features performances from some of Canada’s great instrumentalists including Dylan MacDonald (Field Guide), Dan Ledwell (Jenn Grant, Ken Yates), and Derek Hoffman (Aysanabee, Arkells).
“I wrote ‘Leaving Is Easy’ with the amazing Donovan Woods and Cassidy Mann, and we were playing with the irony of that phrase. Donovan brought in the title and I loved it right away. On the surface, it almost sounds casual, like there’s a manual for walking away. The chorus lists out the small, practical steps: what to pack, what to say, how to go. But underneath all of that is the heartbreak that goes unsaid. The song kind of pretends leaving is simple, while showing some of the hurt underneath - the repetition, the sadness, the stories you tell to make sense of it. It’s not really about leaving being easy at all. It’s about how sometimes we have to convince ourselves it is." - Breagh Isabel
Things I Never Told You highlights Breagh’s evolution as both a songwriter and producer, drawing influence from indie-pop artists like Léon and Maggie Rogers while staying rooted in her signature storytelling. The focus track, Leaving Is Easy, is a duet with longtime collaborator Donovan Woods, capturing the complexities of love and commitment. Meanwhile, Carrie is an effervescent, queer anthem that leans into shimmering synths and a driving groove. Previously released track Looking Out For You is about empathy, burnout, and the kind of love that holds everything together, even when it's hard. Imposter shines a light on how we can be our own worst enemy while It's A Wonderful Life is a reminder to slow down, focus on the simple things, and to keep yourself grounded even when you feel that the earth is shaking beneath your feet.
With longtime mentor Paige Blue mastering the record and Griffin O’Toole shaping its visual identity, this EP is a defining moment for Breagh Isabel - a songwriter stepping fully into her own artistry.
Things I Never Told You
Track List
1. Imposter
2. Carrie
3. Looking Out For You
4. Leaving Is Easy ft. Donovan Woods
5. It's A Wonderful Life