Bella Stine, the 16-year-old alt-pop sensation, has released her latest single and video, “Pale Flame,” a melancholic introspective piece that stands out in today’s musical landscape. With “Pale Flame”, Bella exhibits a songwriting maturity far beyond her years, narrating a story of acceptance and courage.
“Pale Flame” is a tender song that demonstrates Stine’s sensitivity to the complexity of human relationships. The song is imbued with the melancholy of the end, making it a heartfelt anthem for anyone who’s experienced the slow, knowing unraveling of a significant relationship. Sonically, the song impresses with its dreamy, alt-pop melodies and subtle guitar. The subtlety allows the lyrics and Bella’s voice to take center stage, enhancing the emotional depth and sentimentality of her message. Bella confides, ” ‘Pale Flame’ focuses on those final moments, right before it’s over, but not quite. By the time I wrote this song, I wasn’t in a fiery war. I was going through a quiet battle of knowing how everything was going to be but still processing it fully. While recording, we actually blew out a lit candle to capture that sound. I love how stripped down the song is and absolutely I loved recording live strings for the cinematic/orchestral ending. In the accompanying music video, Bella burns the end of a match against a backdrop of muted, pastel colors in isolation for a visually expressive addition to the song.
Bella’s influences are evident in her work, but she certainly carves her own path with this single. The power and honesty in her songwriting style are reminiscent of Gracie Abrams and Phoebe Bridgers, but there’s an unmistakable uniqueness to Bella’s sound. “Pale Flame” is her second single, from her forthcoming debut EP.
Watch and listen to Bella Stine’s “Pale Flame” and post your favorite part @celebmix