Bellyful Deliver Trip Hop Heaven in Their Debut Single, Proximity

Bellyful, taken by @shotby.breeze

Somehow, winter is almost over. There’s actual flowers popping up everywhere, and it’s even a bit warm. Naturally, there’s no better time to release a single — spring is a time of new beginnings, and trip hop trio Bellyful have made space for something truly beautiful — their debut single, Proximity. 

I’ve been waiting with bated breath for this track. Since the group formed in late 2024, I’ve held onto every last note of ethereal synth that I could. And Proximity has always been a firm favourite of mine at live shows, with its distinct build followed by a real gut punch of a chorus. Few songs can pull off such a swirling and gradual dynamic, but this track truly earns its 5 minute timestamp. And, despite the length, you’re still left wanting more by the end. 

Few songs can pull off such a swirling and gradual dynamic, but this track truly earns its 5 minute timestamp

So, imagine how lucky I felt to hear this track performed, in all its otherworldly glory, at Bellyful’s headline show? Held at Cafe Kino in Bristol, the event was hosted by enthusiastic local promoters, Obvious Events. Playing the night alongside Bellyful were post-rock band Facelift and CM alumni alt-rockers, Split Lip (check out our review of Split Lip’s past headline here!). Both support bands held their own and captivated the crowd, paving the way masterfully for Bellyful.

Bellyful's setlist

Despite the small size of the venue, Bellyful commanded the stage. Their rich and powerful sound worked to transport the listener into another atmosphere, while the intimate setting pulled the audience back into the room. The feeling was distinct and almost magical, with a disorienting quality that made me forget about everything else, even if just for a moment. 

While of course the main highlight of their set was their debut single, the group also performed a brand new track, Saccharine. This was a step away from their usual smooth tones, with a deliciously dark synth line that was reminiscent of the likes of Tricky and Massive Attack. After just one listen, it became a new favourite of mine — alongside Swollen (featuring violinist and saxophonist, Sam Finch), Bat Country, and of course — Proximity. 

Proximity crafts an impressive soundscape that somehow manages to be both powerful and immensely reflective

To me, Proximity means drifting apart from those you love, and wishing for a moment of connection and calm. The line, “For a moment, I can see you. It’s like a silence, the world moves around you” perfectly encapsulates the compassion behind the writing — a need for proximity, fuelled by feelings of awe and wonder. And yet, this is juxtaposed with a strange feeling of distance — set in stone by lines such as “I feel I betray you, and anything good” and “I’ll make it work, but I’m drifting”. The production on the track leaves the perfect amount of space for the listener to explore these themes, drawing away at just the right times, while hitting you over the head with distorted guitar when you least expect it. And honestly, I’ve never been happier to be walloped.

Lily Rainbow, taken by @shotby,breeze

Lead singer and bassist, Lily Rainbow, shines through with her vocal performance on this track. Initially holding back with quietly beautiful restraint, her silky smooth voice glides into the heavier sections with intense emotion — each syllable capturing the depth of her lyrics perfectly. When the choruses hit, Rainbow’s tones are soaked in reverb, creating an impressive soundscape that somehow manages to be both powerful and immensely reflective. Lily mentioned to me that they “usually play proximity last in [their] set, and find it takes that long to properly connect with the audience.” Because of this, it’s usually “the most powerful one [in the set].” Couldn’t agree more. 

Fin Roach demonstrates a distinct synth prowess in Proximity, with a setup that many gear heads would envy (and no, I’m not talking about our readers — although I’m sure they’d love it too). The effect is a polished sound that breaks free at times to become wild and untamed. Each moment feels controlled yet ready to burst through into a different terrain, keeping listeners on the edge of their seats. It makes sense, then, that Fin would compare Bellyful to a pufferfish — stating that “it’s got two sides, doesn’t it? It’s got a soft, small side, and then…” At this point, Fin paused to make a gesture that resembled a pufferfish becoming all spiky. 

Each moment of Proximity feels controlled yet ready to burst through into a different terrain, keeping listeners on the edge of their seats

When asked if there was anything they wanted to say about Proximity, both Fin and Lily rushed to say how grateful they were for the overwhelmingly positive response from their fans. They also urged readers to check out the music video, which has just been released a week on from the track itself.

Things are looking up for Bellyful. With such an enthusiastic response to their first single, there’s no knowing where their current trajectory could take them. Keep an eye out, and you might see these trip hop wizards (or pufferfish, if they have it their way) in a venue near you! 

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