With ‘Ain’t Linear’, Iyla Elise delivers one of her most assured and emotionally layered singles to date, continuing her steady rise as a vital voice within contemporary Americana

Rooted in blues and soul but shaped by country warmth and pop clarity, the track feels expansive without losing its intimacy — a hallmark of Elise’s songwriting across her growing catalogue.

Produced by Nashville-based multi-instrumentalist Simon Reid, ‘Ain’t Linear’ unfolds with an unhurried confidence. A warm rhythmic foundation anchors the track, allowing subtle instrumental details to breathe: blues-inflected guitar lines, understated keys, and a groove that sways rather than pushes. The production never overwhelms the vocal, instead framing Elise’s voice with space and texture. Her delivery is calm but emotionally present, carrying a quiet strength that suits the song’s reflective tone.

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‘Ain’t Linear’ explores the cyclical nature of love — the moments of doubt, return, and recommitment that define long-term connection. Rather than presenting love as resolution, Elise treats it as a process, full of pauses and contradictions. There’s a gentle melancholy threaded through the track, but it’s balanced by warmth and reassurance, giving the song its distinctive emotional depth. This push and pull is mirrored musically, as restrained verses give way to choruses that feel open and affirming without becoming declarative.

Elise’s background in storytelling is evident in her phrasing. Each line feels intentional, grounded in lived experience rather than abstraction. Her influences — from John Denver to Norah Jones and Stevie Wonder — surface in the song’s melodic clarity and soulful undertones, yet the voice remains unmistakably her own.

Following the success of Outlier and a string of critically recognised singles, ‘Ain’t Linear’ feels like a natural progression rather than a pivot. It reinforces Elise’s ability to make vulnerability feel sturdy, to frame emotional honesty as resilience. In a genre that values authenticity, ‘Ain’t Linear’ stands out not by reaching louder, but by settling deeper — a quietly confident release that lingers long after its final note.