Indie pop artist BEL, an emerging talent, explores themes of longing, self-worth, and the delicate balance between ambition and gratitude in an in-depth discussion regarding her introspective new single “I Want” and the path to her forthcoming debut album, ‘Holy Grail.’
Stream: “I Want” – BEL
While there will always be new aspirations on the horizon, I never wish for that to hinder my happiness with my current state.
* * *
We all yearn for something – be it more time, love, finances, or meaning.
It's inherent to our humanity, this persistent longing that never truly fades. In her new single “I Want,” the LA-based singer-songwriter BEL articulates this sentiment in a way that feels both personal and expansive: a poignant, gradual revelation steeped in daydreams, yearning, and hope. “No city, no town, no high, no comedown takes me far enough,” she expresses, highlighting the line between ambition and emotional fatigue. However, instead of choosing sides in the endless struggle between “maybe it's enough” and “I want,” BEL acknowledges both – thereby creating space for herself.
I Want – BEL
All the beautiful houses
I will never reside in
Perhaps it’s enough
to simply observe them
Water on the nightstand
Tracing with your right hand
Perhaps it’s enough
to just be your friend
Released on May 30th through Nettwerk Music Group, “I Want” serves as the second single from BEL’s anticipated debut album, Holy Grail, and stands as a powerful testament to why she has consistently been among our favorite voices in the indie music scene. A three-time Editor’s Pick and an officially recognized Atwood Magazine Artist to Watch, BEL (Isabel Whelan) has captivated us with her fusion of poetic sincerity, melodic appeal, and unwavering honesty.
We’ve been following BEL’s evolution since her debut single “Silver Line” in 2020, where we celebrated her “warm wash of soothing sounds and inspiring lyrics,” and over the years, she has only intensified that emotional depth. Notable moments from the past five years include her debut EP Muscle Memory (“a radiant, resounding record of self-discovery and inner strength”), her alternative anthem duet with girlhouse, “PBR” (“a visceral upheaval of anxiety adorned with emotive electric guitars and graceful harmonies”), her 2023 EP Read the Room (“a dramatic yet gentle exploration of sonically and emotionally charged indie rock/pop”), and her beautifully bilingual 2024 single “Nos Despedimos” (which we affectionately dubbed “the Spanglish ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’).
“Honest, Raw, & Reflective”: Bel’s ‘Read the Room’ EP Is an Impassioned, Empowered Eruption:: FEATURE ::
Whether she's softly revealing emotions through dreamy reflections or navigating uncertainty through spirited, seductive melodies, BEL embraces the complexities of the journey – and “I Want” once again showcases her engagement with the tension, posing daring questions without seeking simple solutions.
A tender and melodic reverie heavy with introspective thought, the song centers around desire – how it motivates us, distracts us, and influences the way we navigate life. “There will always be something new to pursue,” BEL shares with Atwood Magazine, “but I can’t let that stop me from being content with my present circumstances. Desire can drive me, but it can also blind me to what’s right in front of me. I refuse to take anything or anyone for granted.”
The inspiration for “I Want” sprouted during a tour, in the notes section of BEL’s phone. “No city, no town, no high, no comedown takes me far enough,” she penned mid-tour, caught between the exhilaration of travel and a persistent yearning for something more. “I was thrilled to explore new places and connect with new individuals,” she reminisces, “but I recognized that regardless of the distances I traveled, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I desired more – love, homeownership one day, to earn more, to experience everything life has to offer.”
When she later presented these sentiments during a writing session with fellow artist Miya Folick, a song began to emerge – one imbued with longing yet marked by self-awareness. “It’s incredible to connect with another artist’s perspective to articulate the same emotion,” BEL reflects. “Words and visuals surfaced that wouldn’t have emerged if I had just been composing alone in my room.”
The resulting lyrics convey a unique tension – between yearning and presence, desire and acceptance – as BEL’s internal conflict unfolds in real-time, beginning with her strikingly subdued opening lines: “All the beautiful houses I will never reside in / Maybe it’s enough to simply observe them.”
Throughout each pair of lines, BEL maintains a gentle distance from herself – admiring, watching, accepting. “Water on the night
Indie pop artist BEL, who is gaining attention, explores themes of longing, self-worth, and the struggle between ambition and gratitude in a poignant discussion about her introspective new single "I Want" and the path to her forthcoming debut album, ‘Holy Grail.’