BEL Announces Debut Album ‘Holy Grail’ out 10/17; Shares New Single “Party Tricks”

“Indie pop laced with gauzy production and subtly catchy hooks.” – Under The Radar

“‘Fresh Start’ is a treat for the ears; funky, bouncy, and cheeky.” – Ones To Watch

“Turning personal upheaval into a dreamy, emotionally resonant indie pop anthem.” – Atwood Magazine

“A soothing, lounge singer-esque tone as she navigates the 20-something struggle…” – idobi

July 2, 2025 – LA-based indie pop artist BEL (née: Isabel Whelan) returns with “Party Tricks,” a dreamy, guitar-driven anthem that radiates vulnerability and hope. Produced by Jason Vance Harris (Role Model, Juliet Ivy), Jack Laboz (MOTHICA, GAYLE), Jon Santana (cr1tter, Peter Manos), the track offers the latest glimpse into BEL’s much-anticipated debut album, Holy Grail, out October 17th via Nettwerk (Miya Folick, Alice Phoebe Lou).

Built on fuzzy guitars, ambient textures, and a punchy live-band energy, “Party Tricks” captures the whirlwind emotions of imagining love before it arrives. From the nostalgic glow of washed-out background vocals to the pulsing heartbeat of its indie rock instrumentation, “Party Tricks” plays like the soundtrack to a hazy late-night basement show — raw, electric, and achingly sincere.

BEL shares, “‘Party Tricks’ is a manifestation song. I’m visualizing what it’s going to be like when I eventually do meet the right person. I love leaning into the nerves, excitement, and all the romantic things you do early on when you really like someone. I imagined that person getting along with my friends, hosting dinner parties together, being silly and completely obsessed with each other.”

“Party Tricks,” which follows BEL’s two compelling 2025 singles “I Want” and “Fresh Start,” is the latest chapter in BEL’s unfolding story, leading toward Holy Grail, an album years in the making. Rooted in vivid storytelling and a self-defined visual world inspired by childhood dreams, Holy Grail promises a deeply personal and immersive listening experience. BEL reveals, “I started writing my debut album two years ago when I wrote the title track ‘Holy Grail.’ At the time, I wanted so many things for my life and career that all seemed so out of reach. Every song on the album is an archive of my hopes, dreams, joys, sorrows, and self-reflections in my quest for the Holy Grail. Everything is paired to a visual world that references my childhood dreams. Holy Grail gives a window into what it feels like to go all in on your dreams and surrender to the unknown.”

LISTEN TO “PARTY TRICKS”:
https://bel.ffm.to/partytricks

SHARE “PARTY TRICKS” LYRIC VIDEO:

https://youtu.be/YmzIbuNYqWw

PRE-SAVE HOLY GRAIL LP:
https://bel.ffm.to/holygrail

BEL – Fresh Start (Official Lyric Video)

Listen to “Fresh Start” by BEL: https://bel.ffm.to/freshstart.OYD https://bel.ffm.to/bio https://www.instagram.com/belmakesmusic https://www.tiktok.com/@belmakesmusica Lyrics: Huh huh Huh huh I’m just so sorry I’ve been acting strange You know sometimes I get that way Been feeling like I’m in a different state But I know I’m still in LA I don’t wanna miss out

Along with an appearance at Oceans Calling Festival, BEL will hit the road this Fall for a 3-date headline run that includes her album release party on October 16 in Los Angeles at the Moroccan Lounge. Full tour dates below. To purchase tickets now and for the latest updates on BEL, please visit: https://belwhelanmusic.com/shows.

Holy Grail LP Tracklist:

1. Intro
2. I Want
3. Amor
4. Party Tricks
5. Read Between
6. Hindsight
7. Look It Up
8. Only Want You
9. Fresh Start
10. What Do You Want Me To Say
11. Holy Grail
12. Parachute

Tour Dates:
9/22 – Boston, MA @ The Red Room
9/24 – New York City, NY @ Night Club 101
9/26 – Ocean City, MD @ Oceans Calling Festival
10/16 – Los Angeles, CA @ Moroccan Lounge

Album Artwork | Download HERE

About BEL:

LA-based indie-pop artist BEL (Isabel Whelan), originally hailing from the small town of Clovis, CA, blends a folk songwriter’s heart with the alluring polish of a classic pop artist. Raised in a bilingual household as the youngest of five, she first found her creative footing in theater, choir, violin, and harmonizing in the car with her Argentine mother to ’70s icons like Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and Stevie Nicks. Her journey from DIY beginnings to full-time musician wasn’t seamless—quitting a 9-to-5 came with plenty of doubt—but BEL’s leap of faith now defines her journey.

Well before she ever earned accolades from Sirius XM, Rolling Stone, NPR, numerous Spotify playlists (for her Muscle Memory, Jet Lag, and Read the Room EPs), BEL’s validation came from the fans she’d meet while performing live as a UCLA undergrad — and later, opening for indie acts such as Cold War Kids, Boyish, Gatlin, Girlhouse, BAILEN, and The Rare Occasions. Now with her debut full-length, Holy Grail, reflects this ascent, centered on “letting go of expectations and trusting the process of chasing your dreams.” The album, featuring collaborators like labelmate Miya Folick, Sarah Tudzin of Illuminati Hotties, John Mark Nelson (Suki Waterhouse, Shaboozey), and executive producer Jason Vance Harris (Role Model, Juliet Ivy), explores navigating doubt and finding optimism, as heard on tracks like “Fresh Start” and “Parachute.”

Inspired by life on the road and life’s lessons, her songs, like the bilingual “Amor,” are drawn from personal experiences. Despite challenges, BEL’s inherent hope, informed in part by her brother’s rare genetic condition, carves a resilient spirit into her art and outlook. Holy Grail is a testament to perseverance and finding fulfillment in what you have while chasing your aspirations.

BEL’s Socials:

Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Website

Sean Kayden

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BEL – Fresh Start (Official Lyric Video)

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BEL Announces Debut Album ‘Holy Grail’ out 10/17; Shares New Single “Party Tricks”

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