Bess Atwell Returns With New Single 'The Act'

UK singer-songwriter Bess Atwell returns with lush new single 'The Act', her first release since 2024.

Arriving hot on the heels of Atwell signing with Nettwerk Music Group, the track finds the creative experimenting with her sound, evolving from the indie folk of her earlier work to a more pop-focused direction encapsulating '80s synths and a driving guitar melody.

Premiering on BBC 6Music, the song is about leaving home and starting anew, with Atwell's effervescent vocals ever present.

"This song was written when I had just moved to Quebec, where I lived for nine months," explains Atwell. "It was a bird's-eye view of the relationships I had chosen to leave behind, not just physically. It's an empowering song for me that basically says, 'I didn’t want to have to do this alone but I absolutely can'."

The track is accompanied by a music video directed by Shreya Jha featuring Atwell performing in an empty venue. Check it out below.

READ MORE: RinRin Shares New Single 'fever dream', Signs With Fearless Records

Breaking through in 2021 with her sophomore album Already, Always, Atwell has established herself as one of the UK's brightest talents.

Gaining fans across the globe by pairing introspective storytelling with joyful melodies, Atwell has shared the stage with The National, Ben Howard, The Paper Kites and Ed Sheeran, along with selling out her own headline tours across the UK, Europe, Australia and Canada.

Releasing her 2024 album Light Sleeper, which was produced by Aaron Dessner of The National, to critical acclaim, Atwell toured Australia for the first time last year.

Catching her performance at WOMADelaide, we called her "a true talent" and can't wait for her next visit, which will hopefully accompany a new album from the UK songstress.

'The Act' by Bess Atwell is out now. Listen here.