LA-BASED INDIE-POP ARTIST BEL SHARES DEBUT ALBUM HOLY GRAIL OUT NOW VIA NETTWERK

Today, LA-based indie pop artist BEL (née Isabel Whelan) has shared her long-awaited debut LP, Holy Grail, via Nettwerk (Miya Folick, Alice Phoebe Lou) along with a music video for the title track. Produced by Jason Vance Harris (Role Model, Juliet Ivy), the album is the culmination of years of vivid storytelling and artistic exploration. It’s a fully realized body of work that captures the magic, melancholy, and hope of chasing one’s dreams.

After several celebrated EPs, Holy Grail represents the latest chapter in BEL’s unfolding story — a personal and cinematic project rooted in introspection and a self-defined visual world inspired by her childhood imagination. The record delivers an immersive listening experience, tracing themes of ambition, self-discovery, and surrender.

On Holy Grail, BEL shares: “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.”

Brand new track and the album’s focus single, “Parachute,” is a shimmering and richly resonant indie pop track that balances vulnerability with quiet optimism. Subtle synth textures and warm acoustic elements intertwine to create a sense of weightlessness, reflecting the song’s central metaphor of trusting the parachute to open. It’s both tender and triumphant and serves as a sonic embodiment of hope and perseverance.

BEL reveals, “‘Parachute’ is a song about continuing to have hope that what I’m yearning for is out there waiting for me. Even if I haven’t reached where I want to be yet, I have trust that I will get there if I just keep pushing forward. It’s taking a leap of faith and trusting that the parachute will open. It’s about learning to be optimistic despite things seeming impossible.”

Ahead of the full-length release, BEL offered glimpses into Holy Grail’s world through a series of singles that showcased her signature mix of lush indie-pop and poignancy. Artists and collaborators such as Miya Folick, Sarah Tudzin (Boygenius, Illuminati Hotties), John Mark Nelson (Suki Waterhouse, Shaboozey), among others, aided tracks such as “Holy Grail,” “Amor,” “Party Tricks,” “I Want,” and “Fresh Start.” Each song expanded BEL’s sonic universe, blending dreamlike pop aesthetics with the rawness of diary-like confessions. Together, they form the foundation of Holy Grail’s thematic arc: a journey toward self-trust and transformation.

During this album cycle, BEL performed at festivals such as BottleRock Napa Valley and Oceans Calling Festival, supported labelmate Miya Folick on tour, and played her own headline shows in NYC, Boston, and LA. Her songs received strong support from Under The Radar, Ones To Watch, Atwood Magazine, idobi, Remezcla, EARMILK, SiriusXM, and Spotify playlists such as Indie Pop, undercurrents, Fresh Folk, and more.

Holy Grail is out now via Nettwerk. For more news and tour updates from BEL, please visit https://belwhelanmusic.com.

LISTEN TO HOLY GRAIL LP:
https://bel.ffm.to/holygrail

WATCH + SHARE “HOLY GRAIL” MUSIC VIDEO:

Holy Grail LP Tracklist:
1. Break a Leg
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