Think of one of your all-time favorite artists. What is it that draws you to them? Is it their mesmerizing voice? Is it their soul-crushing lyrics that make you feel less alone in what you’re going through? Is it just their overall vibe? Whatever it is, you’ll find something similar in Bella Kaye, who just debuted with the reflective anthem “Psycho Ex.” The energetic pop-rock track looks back on a toxic relationship that haunted Bella, reclaiming a traumatic situation and turning it into a battle cry for anyone learning their worth.
“I experienced this situation in early 2021 and it made quite the impact on my life,” Bella tells TREMG. “It actually led to my own self-destruction. I was in such a dark place that I couldn’t even write this song until I pulled myself out of it. From there, I had to reflect back and heal traumas that I buried down. I’m a completely different person now, and in such a happier, connected space and energy. Even though I wrote this song a while ago, I feel there’s no better time to release it. I’m so ready to share my story and am so grateful to be where I am today. It’s special releasing this song with the perspective I now have, instead of releasing it while being consumed in the peak negative energy of the situation.”
Bella’s clever lyrics tell the story plainly, but the way she words it and the details she chooses to weave it together bring it to life. She mentions her ex tracking her friends down on Snapchat, showing up at her house in the middle of the night, and trying to victimize himself before shrugging him off with a “go fuckin’ find somebody new.” It’s not just an angsty breakup song – it’s a young woman picking up the pieces of something terrifying and putting herself back together, one killer one-liner at a time.
“Songwriting is therapeutic for me, as it is for most songwriters,” Bella explains. “I couldn’t write this song when I was in the depths of this situation. However, after I had a complete personal shift and awakening, I was able to see this experience from a new perspective and look at it as an opportunity to grow, learn, find clarity, and tap into greater dimensions of self-worth, self-love and self-respect.”
“Psycho Ex” lays the foundation for a contemplative discography and a strong, open connection with Bella’s fans, helping them overcome whatever they may be going through while giving them a ridiculously catchy song to jam out to in their room. It’s playful in a sense, but also raw and emotive, striking a unique balance that establishes her as a future superstar you need to keep an eye on.
“Everything is always in motion, so if you’re feeling stuck in your own pain, remember that it is just a feeling and life is a beautiful cycle,” Bella suggests. “If you don’t experience the lows, you are not able to experience or even appreciate the highs. Every low moment leads to transformation and growth, even if you can’t feel or see that in the energy of the negativity.”
You can find “Psycho Ex” on your favorite streaming services now, and get to know Bella Kaye on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and her official site! Keep reading for more from our conversation with this entrancing singer-songwriter.
Congrats on your debut single, “Psycho Ex!” How does it feel to finally share the song with the world?
Thank you so much! Oh, it feels so good to finally have this song out. I experienced this situation in early 2021 and it made quite the impact on my life. It actually led to my own self-destruction. I was in such a dark place that I couldn’t even write this song until I pulled myself out of it. From there, I had to reflect back and heal traumas that I buried down. I’m a completely different person now, and in such a happier, connected space and energy. Even though I wrote this song a while ago, I feel there’s no better time to release it. I’m so ready to share my story and am so grateful to be where I am today. It’s special releasing this song with the perspective I now have, instead of releasing it while being consumed in the peak negative energy of the situation.
What does the song “Psycho Ex” mean to you?
This song is really special to me. Although this situation was incredibly traumatic and led to an intense period of self-sabotage, I look back at this experience and have a deep amount of gratitude. I understand that it brought me to where I am today, and quite honestly ignited the much-needed self-breaking point I had to experience in order to re-find and return home to myself. I am so proud of this song and the way in which it turned out, from the songwriting, to the production, to the vocal delivery (I remember the recording day was so emotional and I literally had the chills recording certain parts). I feel it perfectly encapsulates everything I was feeling.
One of my favorite lines on “Psycho Ex” is “pretended that you were saving me, didn’t you?” Is there a certain lyric on the song that you’re particularly proud of?
Ooh thank you, I love that one. I’m glad you resonated with it. I’m really proud of the bridge… specifically the lyric “I could end your next relationship just with the touch of my fingertips.” This line was actually one of the very first lyrics I ever wrote for this song. I remember it just came to me one day, and I thought of it without even thinking it could be in a song. It kind of just popped in my head.
How did you know now was the right time to debut and release your first song?
I’ve been singing and writing songs for as long as I can remember. Creating and releasing music has always been such a big dream of mine. Given how significant this period of my life was, I’m finally ready to share my story from this new perspective that I am now in. I can look at this situation from a new lens and am no longer in the heat of that moment.
You’ve described 2021 as the hardest year of your life, and “Psycho Ex” touches on part of why it was so difficult. What has it been like for you to reclaim some of that pain and sadness and make something incredible out of it?
It has been amazing. Songwriting is therapeutic for me, as it is for most songwriters. As I mentioned, I couldn’t write this song when I was in the depths of this situation. However, after I had a complete personal shift and awakening, I was able to see this experience from a new perspective and look at it as an opportunity to grow, learn, find clarity, and tap into greater dimensions of self-worth, self-love and self-respect.
What advice would you give to someone who’s struggling to shift their own pain into something cathartic?
Be patient and gentle with your healing journey and be kind to yourself! Sometimes it takes a long time to process emotions or move yourself out of a dark space, and that’s okay. I’ve learned how important it is to allow yourself to really feel and process your emotions. Trying to mask or deny feelings/emotions will only cause them to resurface or re-manifest in new situations. It’s also important to remember that everything is always in motion, so if you’re feeling stuck in your own pain, remember that it is just a feeling and life is a beautiful cycle. If you don’t experience the lows, you are not able to experience or even appreciate the highs. Every low moment leads to transformation and growth, even if you can’t feel or see that in the energy of the negativity.
Since we’re both Swifties, I have to ask: what are some of your favorite Taylor Swift songs?
Oh wow, this is such a hard question. She has so many amazing songs!! I would definitely say one of my all time favorites is “All Too Well,” the 10-minute version. I won’t ever forget hearing this song for the very first time…literal chills. Reputation is my favorite Taylor Swift album so I have lots of favorites from that album….”End Game,” “Getaway Car.” I also love “This Love” and “Daylight.” She has so many good ones!!
You also count Gracie Abrams and Lorde as some of your influences. Is there a certain project or song by each of them that has especially inspired you?
The first Gracie Abrams song I ever heard was “I miss you I’m sorry,” this was back in 2020. I remember coming across the lyric video on Youtube, and I was immediately like “Omg, who is this artist? I am obsessed with this song.” A couple days later, she released a song called “Long Sleeves” – which made such a significant impact on my life and musical journey. Not only did I connect to that song on such a personal level (going through an earlier really dark, negative place of emotions), I was in awe of the way in which Gracie was able to deliver such powerful feelings that I so strongly felt with the strings and simplicity in the production. Fun fact, this song ended up being my second most listened to song of 2020 – goes to show what the year was like LOL.
Melodrama by Lorde is one of my all time favorite albums. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get over how incredible it is…from the melodies, to the production, to the way in which Lorde is able to completely create such an atmosphere. I recently saw Lorde on her Solar Power tour and absolutely loved it. It made me fall in love with her artistry and music even more!!
We at TREMG love getting to know new artists who haven’t gotten the success or attention they deserve. Who are some of your favorite underrated artists at the moment?
I think Bea Miller is such an underrated artist. She’s definitely not small in terms of number of listeners and streams, but I do really feel her music deserves more attention.
What can your fans look forward to in the rest of 2022?
I plan to continue sharing my story and go into further details about what led to my period of self-destruction and my journey through it. I am actively writing and recording new music, hopefully with at least one additional single being released later this year and a collection of songs in 2023! I love talking to and connecting with my supporters, so definitely expect to continue getting to know me and connecting on a more personal level 🙂
Is there anything else you’d like to mention that the questions didn’t touch on?
I just want to say how appreciative and grateful I am for my supporters. Making music is such a powerful, healing, therapeutic experience for me, and to be able to create such personal art that then resonates and connects so deeply with others means more than I could ever describe. I feel so much gratitude and love when people reach out to me and share how much my music has impacted them. I think creating and releasing music which resonates with others is such a beautiful exchange of connection. If you’re reading this, I hope you’re having a beautiful day and I’m sending you so much love 🙂
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