Bella Union announces Anxious, the posthumous debut solo album from Nell Smith, out April 11. The lead single and title track, a dreamy psyche-pop gem, captures her experience navigating teenage anxiety, amplified by the isolation of the pandemic.
At just 17, Nell’s passing makes Anxious a deeply emotional release. The album, a follow-up to her collaboration with The Flaming Lips on Where The Viaduct Looms, explores the highs and lows of adolescence with raw honesty. Wayne Coyne reflects, “Hearing her voice is a brief fantastical joy, but also a painful reminder that she’s gone. There’s something holy about it now.”
Guided by Jack and Lily Wolter of Penelope Isles, Anxious showcases songs Nell had been crafting since age 12, blending playful melodies with poignant depth. Three tracks were co-written with Canadian folk band Shred Kelly during winter sessions in her hometown of Fernie, BC, later completed in Brighton in 2023. Nell’s only studio recording session at Bella Union’s Brighton studio—at just 15—was fueled by long days, creative breakthroughs, and late-night gigs.
Rooted in raw teenage emotions—apprehension, love, ambition, and grief—Anxious channels Nell’s vibrant spirit, turning even its darkest moments into something luminous.