BEL RETURNS IN 2020 WITH DARKLY ADDICTIVE FOLLOW UP SINGLE “SPECTRE”
Melbourne-based experimental-pop artist Bel is taking 2020 by storm, revealing her second single of the year, “Spectre”, out Wednesday, March 11th. The follow up to her pulsating, emotively captivating track “Better Than Me”, “Spectre” is an addictively sensual soundscape infused with worldly and woozy synths, an R’n’B-esque groove, and Bel’s signature sultry and powerful vocal delivery.
“Spectre” exemplifies the uniqueness of Bel as an artist and individual - fusing world music influences such as the Armenian flute, with an unmistakably memorable pop melody. This willingness to push boundaries has earnt her comparisons to BANKS and FKA Twigs, and makes clear the link to her cited inspirations Grimes, Sevdaliza and Caroline Polachek.
Marrying the dark pop and experimental realms, this track is set to catapult Bel to the forefront of Australia’s female pop ranks, and solidifies our high expectations of a whole new body of work set for release this year. “Spectre” is a fearless and defiant return from an artist always on the cutting edge of sound and visual artistry.
“I wrote ‘Spectre’ in order to metaphorically chronicle what it’s like to have an ominous presence circle and set foot in your emotional, physical or spiritual safe space. This could be anything or anyone from a previous partner, to your own inner-bully, and the effect that these unrelenting, negative and often intrusive shadows can have in your life. More so, it’s important that the listener recognises that she fights until the very end, to the very last second of the track,” said Bel.
Bel is gearing up to make 2020 her year; January saw her travel to the US to film the amazing music video for "Spectre", which she worked on with the creative director for BANKS and Chance The Rapper. The resulting art-house meets fashion film exemplifies Bel’s unique visual artistry and intense introspection, making comment on the demanding and often falsified nature of the fashion and music industries.
WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR "SPECTRE" HERE
She also spent most of February in the US attending various New York Fashion Week events (including Bebe Rexha’s Women in Harmony event), and working as a creative director and model in shoots with Sicky Mag, Fen Hong Se Magazine and more. Her track “Better Than Me” also made its exciting debut in January, and has since been reimagined in a stunning live video.
“I wanted to make a live performance film for ‘Better Than Me’ to showcase a different side of my artistry,” said Bel. “Typically, in the creation of music videos, you can do as many takes as you please until you get it all perfect. In the filming of a live performance piece, there is nowhere to hide. It was just me, my voice and the piano. I didn’t grow up playing instruments, as I don’t come from a musical family. I was always a writer, but I only started to self-teach piano around the age of 17… I am by no means under the impression that I am Mozart, but this idea was born from my desire to push myself out of my comfort zone in the hope of making something truly vulnerable and beautiful.”
Bel is an artist born from a supernatural cataclysm; a mysterious young woman, she exists in a world of her own design, where the ugly and raw nature of the world is not looked at through rose coloured glasses. Everything is real and authentic, with no veil to hide imperfections through. Instead, she celebrates them, unashamed and unwilling to compromise in her approach. A fire burns deep within Bel and fuels her to march forward, refusing to back down when it comes to her dreams and desires.
"SPECTRE" IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AND STREAM ON ALL PLATFORMS
PRAISE FOR BEL:
"A pulsing, demanding, racing track with artpop and R&B influences combined with worldwide influence such as the Armenian flute, ‘Spectre’ further solidifies Bel’s reputation as one of the most unique and creative voices in Australian pop music today." - Women In Pop on "Spectre"
“Bel hits the ground running with a sultry and expansive new track that proves she is worth paying attention too. ‘Better Than Me’ showcases an artist who is assertive in her message...who rejects genre conventions and exists as an amalgamation of art, music, creative direction and fashion.” - Fen Hong Se Magazine
“Bel is so much more than a musician… her music trades on electro, classical, pop and rock but ultimately defies all genres.” - Women in Pop on "Better Than Me"
"There’s something truly striking about Melbourne’s newest pop icon, BEL." - Purple Sneakers
"Rich is a woman with a clear vision and direction for this project, mixing the art and fashion worlds with her music." - PileRats
“There’s a new type of ballad in town, and gone are the big chords, big voices and bigger hair. These tunes of communal catharsis are roomy and gloomy affairs; vocals wafting over fudgy chords, thrumming basslines speckled with electronics.” - Beat Magazine
“Bel gives BANKS a run for her money! Dark, sultry, next-level pop!” - Celine Narinli of Triple J