Press Release - Montreal-Based Bella Galasso Confronts Toxic Dynamics in Haunting New Single “The Cult”

…An intimate, emotionally charged anthem for anyone learning to let go

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Emerging Montreal-based singer-songwriter Bella Galasso returns with “The Cult,” a raw and cathartic new single that explores the complex emotions that follow the fallout of a toxic friendship. Inspired by real experiences and influenced by artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Lizzy McAlpine, the track captures the messy intersection of anger, sadness, and relief that comes with finally breaking free. Listen HERE.

“The Cult is a song for people who have managed to get out from under the thumb of someone who keeps you down. I hope it allows people to feel their anger and hurt as well as let it go,” says Bella Galasso. Despite its heavy name, the track unfolds as something deeply personal, blending vulnerability with a sharp edge.

Written after the emotional aftermath of a friendship ending, “The Cult” was a long time in the making. With the title coming before the lyrics, Bella spent months rewriting and refining the song - reworking multiple choruses and bridges - determined to capture the story exactly right. The result is a stripped-back yet powerful production where acoustic textures meet haunting vocals.

“I wanted this song to feel eerie and comforting, which is a weird idea in theory, but I think it totally makes sense once you hear it. The warm acoustic guitar with the layered vocals really helps achieve that,” Bella adds.

A standout lyric - “While you’re out there taking names, guiding them like corpses to their grave, I hope you think of me and admit that you were never gonna change” - encapsulates the song’s emotional core, balancing pain with empowerment.

Since releasing her debut EP Pretty from the top floor in November 2023, Bella has continued to evolve as an artist - pushing herself creatively while embracing more honest and textured storytelling.  “My first release was a straight-up pop tune, which I did to push myself out of my comfort zone. With my EP, I was the most vulnerable I’d ever been. Now, with this release, I feel even prouder of the production and sound we created while continuing to be open in my writing,” notes Bella - hinting at what’s to come.

Listeners can expect more new music in the coming year as Bella continues to refine her sound and showcase her growth as a songwriter.

You can listen to “The Cult,” as of today, October 8th, 2025, on all streaming platforms via this LINK.

“The Cult” - 3:16

Written by Bella Galasso
Vocals by Bella Galasso
Production by Bella Galasso & Matt Nozetz
Mixing & Mastering by Matt Nozetz

More about Bella Galasso

Bella Galasso is a Montreal-born singer-songwriter crafting deeply honest folk-pop with alt-indie edges. A seasoned performer who once opened for Bon Jovi at Montreal’s Bell Centre, Bella now stands on her own, drawing comparisons to Gracie Abrams and Phoebe Bridgers. Bella is a seasoned performer, having played all over the city with her previous band, including The Bell Center opening for Bon Jovi in 2018.  She took a break to pursue her own project under her own name. 

Bella introduced her solo career with the single Ruin a party (2022), showcasing her sharp lyrical voice and a striking music video. She followed this with her breakthrough EP pretty from the top floor (2023), which cemented her as one of Montreal’s most promising young storytellers. Past highlights include earning “Discovery of the Year” at Festival New Country Brome, and breaking into CBC Searchlight’s Top 50 Producer Picks. In 2024, she began performing again, playing alongside other talented local musicians in venues all over Montreal. With her latest release, “The Cult,” Bella shows a stripped down vulnerable side that hints at what listeners can expect to hear from her in the future.

This 5-song album is a collection of some of Bella's most personal songs about the fear of growing up and struggles with loneliness. Rooted in the folk tradition yet unafraid of pop accessibility, her diaristic songwriting captures the growing pains, quiet triumphs, and fleeting heartbreaks of her early 20s with unflinching intimacy. Her voice is delicate yet commanding; her live performances are intimate, often described as feeling like a living room conversation set to music.

“My songs are everything that’s real about me and everything that isn’t.”