Dark Bells unleash hypnotic new single ‘Want’
Dark Bells are picking up serious momentum, pulling together a sound that sits somewhere between the smoke of Warpaint and the bite of early shoegaze. Based in London but born in Australia, the trio are making waves with a brand of psychedelic indie that feels both familiar and unsettling.
Their new single ‘Want’, released October 21st, hits like a slow-moving storm. Built on thick layers of guitar reverb and a bassline that stalks just beneath the surface, the track pulls you in from the first beat. Teneil Throssell’s vocals weave through it all, ghostly and commanding, adding another layer of tension to the already brooding atmosphere.
The track leans into repetition without feeling lazy. Lines like “That’s what you get when you fall in love” hit harder each time they loop back, dragging the listener deeper into the song’s murky undercurrent. Halfway through, the momentum collapses into an eerie guitar breakdown, shifting the energy completely. In the video, that moment is mirrored by a sudden jolt from stark black-and-white performance footage into a swirl of colour and dreamlike visuals.
It’s not just on record that Dark Bells know how to shift moods, though. Their live shows, including a standout set covered in our review of Dark Bells live at The Lexington, are already building a reputation for dark, immersive performances. Expect something closer to a ritual than a straight gig—plenty of howling guitars, heavy atmosphere, and a frontwoman who knows exactly how to hold a crowd in her hands.
By the time ‘Want’ winds itself back into a full-blown swirl of bass, drums, and echoing vocals, it’s hard to tell where you end and the song begins. That’s the magic Dark Bells are tapping into: not just songs you listen to, but ones you get lost inside.
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