Track Review: Alone // Bellhop

If you are a fan of rock bands Clamm or Fuzz, the chances are great that you’ll enjoy the sounds of Bellhop. Fusing elements of hard rock, metal and grunge, Bellhop is a brother-sister duo hailing from Australia (Melbourne to be exact). This is my introduction to the pair, but they have reached audiences across the globe with international coverage. Featured on notable blogs like The Other Side Reviews, Less Than 1000 Followers and Trouble Juice, Bellhop is making a splash in a stagnating indie scene. The latest addition to their discography is the single ‘Alone’.

Reminiscent of The White Stripes’ blunt sound, Bella and Harry Watson take on Meg and Jack with their abrupt style. The first release since their 2020 single ‘Big Heads’, ‘Alone’ showcases a musical evolution moving from a harder, faster arrangement to a more sophisticated one. Perhaps this break in releases is due to the Covid-19 pandemic, especially as ‘Alone’ was conceived during the lockdown. Instead of sitting on their laurels, the Watsons encapsulated the vulnerability of artists during this time in ‘Alone’.

Powerful and hard-hitting, but at the same time fragile and complex, the intense intimacy of this song oozes through the basic arrangement. A simplistic melody composed of pounding drums, dynamic guitars and minimalist vocals, ‘Alone’ gets to the core of the message quickly. Touching on despair, inner turmoil, frustration and anxiety, Bellhop express the feelings brought on by isolation in this tune. The band shares that ‘Alone’ looks at the sensation of disconnection of a generation of artists who are forced to stay at home.

Recorded with audio engineer Mikey Young, ‘Alone’ is an anthemic call for a generation living in times of uncertainty. Heart-pounding and heart-breaking, Bellhop rise from the core of gritty dark cells in their revolutionary new tune.