Julia Belle - Single Review: No Way I Can Sleep
No Way I Can Sleep is an indie pop dream come true. With the release of her debut single, Wellington's Julia Belle blossoms onto the music scene, exploring a hazy world of late-night loneliness in the modern age.
Belle's unique voice carries the track, her soft spoken tone and even, effortless melodies balancing the line between sultry and sorrowful. The song adheres to a typical pop structure, but offers subtle melodic and rhythmic changes to add sparkle. Her surprising, defeated promise in the second verse, where she declares "I don't want to hurt nobody", is one such a moment, reaching directly to the listener's heart. Such lyrics make the language of No Way I Can Sleep especially beautiful. Whilst simple, each line fits tightly with the next. Belle is refreshingly honest in a way which allows her vulnerability to be both relatable and sympathetic.
Sparkling production from Tiny Triumph Recordings compliments Belle's smooth melodies perfectly. Gentle electronic beats and dreamy synths create a stunning evening ambience that underlines the track's bedroom imagery. Most distinctly, stacked harmonies using vocoder-like effects to filter and wash out background vocals give the song an incredible level of polish.
Plenty of people can write great songs, but the mark of a great artist is writing something which feels wholeheartedly theirs. Julia Belle's No Way I Can Sleep is a stunning debut which establishes her as an emotional, honest writer, here to share her story, and help listeners find solace for theirs.
About Julia Belle
Building on the foundations laid by influences from Adrianna Lenker and Hozier to Lizzie McAlpine and Noah Kahn with a melancholically cathartic approach, Julia’s signature sound pairs gentle, resonant acoustic guitar with raw, honest lyrics — a combination that exists as both a channel for Julia to express her hard emotions, and a place of solace for members of her diverse and growing fanbase struggling with their own.
Now, with a host of achievements under her belt, including being invited to perform at Toni Childs’ fundraiser, winning a series of songwriting competitions, and releasing 3 singles — all produced by legendary producer Toby Lloyd of Tiny Triumph Recordings — Julia is keeping momentum at an all-time high as she prepares to expand her reach during what’s shaping up to be her biggest year yet. Further releases, as well as plans for a debut EP, are already in the works, to be announced officially in due time.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Julia Belle
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