Julia Belle Releases Evocative Single ‘Let Go’ Ahead of Debut EP ‘Dreamland’
Rising Pōneke-based singer-songwriter Julia Belle is set to release her debut EP Dreamland on April 24th, with the deeply evocative third single from the project, Let Go, arriving a week earlier, today, April 17th. The folk-pop project offers an intimate and raw exploration of mental turmoil and escapism, drawing sonic parallels to Phoebe Bridgers, Noah Kahan, and Adrienne Lenker.
The EP takes listeners on Julia’s journey through her struggle with OCD, offering a visceral look inside her mind as she navigates obsessive thoughts, panic attacks, and the desperate need for relief. Each track moves between harsh reality and the solace of dreamland, capturing the struggle between suffering and escape. Let Go sets the stage as a melancholic yet liberating reflection on release, serving as the gateway to the EP’s immersive narrative.
“I wrote these songs while trying to make sense of my mind,” says Julia. “There’s always a pull between what’s real and what’s safe in my head.”
Sonically, the EP is built on intricate acoustic and electric guitar layers, folk-inspired instrumentation, and hand percussion with occasional full-band textures. The production by Toby Lloyd at Tiny Triumph Recordings mirrors the emotional push and pull, shifting between stark, confessional storytelling and dreamlike soundscapes, like in Homesick, where the lyric ‘and it’s been raining in my head, but I take cover in dreamland’ captures the heart of the project.
The lead single Let Go is an unfiltered portrayal of mental struggle, encapsulating themes of desperation, clinging to unhealthy patterns, and the fear of releasing control. Through hauntingly poetic lyrics, Julia reflects on her own battles with OCD, panic, and intrusive thoughts, painting a vivid picture of emotional turmoil. The chorus – a raw plea for help – reinforces the song’s underlying theme of being trapped in one’s own mind.
Showcasing Julia’s unique sound that has earned her spot in playlists such as Fresh Finds Spotify and Apple New Music Daily, as well as Seven Sharp’s Friday Countdown, Julia continues to carve out her place in the indie-folk scene with deeply personal storytelling and evocative melodies.
The sparkling accompanying music video, shot by Francesca Sewell visually expands on these themes, offering an intimate and striking representation of the song’s emotional weight.
With poetic lyricism and warm yet eerie folk textures, Julia Belle’s debut EP promises to resonate deeply with those who find comfort in music that embraces both pain and beauty.
Listen to Let Go and experience the full EP Dreamland on April 24th.
Photo Credit: Francesca Sewell
