New studio album from Mariana Bell

Mariana Bell has spent years finding new ways to turn everyday experiences into songs that stay with you long afterhearing them. Hailing from Charlottesville in Virginia, the singer-songwriter combines candid storytelling with infectious pop hooks, creating music that balances the familiarity of a treasured memory with the excitement of discovering something new. Having written her own songs since the age of fourteen, Mariana has developed a unique creative voice influenced by personal experiences, shifting perspectives and an enduring affection for the sounds and cultural touchstones of the past.

After forming bands in New York and Los Angeles, Mariana eventually found her current musical home alongside musicians from Virginia. With her vocals and acoustic guitar at the centre, the wider ensemble brings together guitars, keyboards, drums, bass, horns, violin, saxophone and layered backing vocals. The sound gives her songwriting room to move between intimate reflection and expansive pop arrangements and across eight studio releases, she’s continued to explore that balance, building a loyal community through relatable lyrics and an energetic approach that has seen her perform at showcases including SXSW, NXNE and FloydFest.

Her journey has even taken her from the folk world to the dance charts, reflecting an ability to move beyond any single musical category. Her eighth studio album, Give it a GO!, represents a particularly clear expression of the artist she’s become, with Mariana using the record to reconsider the experiences, sounds and images that helped shape her, filtering them through the perspective of a mature songwriter with a modern style.

The album draws on the colourful cultural atmosphere of the late 80s and early 90s, recalling a teenage bedroom decorated with heartthrob posters inspired by romantic comedies. But this is nostalgia with a purpose, using familiar references as a starting point for something personal and newly realised. The record began with a question about what kind of album Mariana would most want to hear herself and that listener-first approach became the guiding principle throughout the writing and recording process.

She wanted to create something people could return to repeatedly, discovering new details among its layers and nuances while never losing sight of its sense of joy. The understanding of that vision also shaped the material that made the final cut and even when songs touched on more difficult subjects, they needed to contribute to the album’s wider concept and retain its underlying spirit. From the laid back curtain raider “Welcome,” the album progresses with bright pop outings like “Romcom” and “Crystal Sky” while leaning into moving sphere through tracks like “Called It Out.”

With “Bag of Bones,” she lays down a dreamy jam that flows with warm key tones, soft drums and alluring vocal performance while “A Mess” brings together seemingly opposing parts of Mariana’s experience, placing climate change and political strife alongside newfound love and a growing sense of inner happiness. Driven by smooth groove, breezy vocal leads and shimmering instrumentation, the song holds space for both personal emotion and wider concerns, without treating them as mutually exclusive.

“Moonless Night,” featuring Emily Herndon, serves as the focus track and draws inspiration from Wilson Phillips, revolving around recognising the small moments of light that become visible through an understanding of darkness. That contrast captures much of the emotional perspective running throughout Give it a GO! by acknowledging life’s complicated corners without allowing them to eclipse its brighter possibilities. Elsewhere,

There’s another deliberate choice beneath the album’s musical surface, with Give it a GO! being tuned to A432 rather than the A440 standard commonly used for radio and streaming releases. Mariana made the decision because she wanted the music to resonate differently to the ear and feel more human, emphasising an organic quality that reflects her intentions for the project. Across her eight studio releases, Mariana has continued to build a musical vision around connection, curiosity and the emotional significance of ordinary moments. With Give it a GO!, those ideas come together in a record where memories may belong to another era but its perspective is joyful, thoughtful and ready for whatever comes next.

Commenting on the album, Mariana Bell says, “The album I needed to hear, inspired by my favorite romcom soundtracks and 80’s/90’s favorites! I want you to sing along in the shower and dance in your kitchen!”

Listen to Give it a GO! below