The LA duo turns jealousy, desire and betrayal into an eerie folk-rock character study.
Belle and Chain’s latest single, “Laila” doesn’t hit you with volume so much as it works its way under your skin. Released September 24, 2026, the track finds the Los Angeles duo of Spencer Grammer and Davis IL following their debut single, “Don’t You Worry Babe,” with a song that sits somewhere between folk, alt-country and gothic rock, but its real strength is the mood it creates.
There’s a cool, eerie pull to “Laila,” rooted more in folk than straight-ahead rock. Sweeping strings and the strange, hovering tone of the Martenot give the background an almost haunted quality, while Grammer keeps the vocal intimate rather than trying to overpower the arrangement. The music feels like it is telling part of the story on its own.
Lyrically, there is enough detail to understand Laila and the relationship around her without having every answer handed to you. Jealousy, desire, betrayal and the irrational feelings that surface when trust starts breaking down all get tangled together. It is not just a breakup song; it plays more like a character study of the person in the middle of the wreckage. Laila becomes both a real woman and a symbol of everything that gets exposed when a relationship begins to unravel.
The polished, slightly pop-leaning finish may be a little softer than listeners looking for a harder rock edge will expect, and I found myself wanting just a touch more grit or guitar bite in a few places. Still, the restraint works with the story. Rather than exploding, the song stays inside the discomfort, and that uneasiness is what gives it its identity.
What Belle and Chain do well here is resist the temptation to turn heartbreak into a giant chorus or an easy villain. “Laila” is quieter and stranger than that. It leaves room for obsession, insecurity, temptation and the things people discover about one another when a relationship is already coming apart. It may not be built around the kind of riff that grabs me first, but the atmosphere and storytelling stayed with me after the song ended – and that is ultimately the point.
Belle and Chain: Spencer Grammer and Davis IL
About Belle and Chain
Belle and Chain began as Grammer’s solo project before growing into a collaboration with multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Davis IL. Their sound draws from traditional folk, alt-country and gothic rock with a weathered American West feel. Grammer began writing songs in 2024 after guitar became part of her recovery from a 2020 attack that left lasting damage to her right hand. Since releasing their debut single earlier in 2026, the duo have toured North America supporting Barns Courtney and appeared at festivals around the country.
Belle and Chain – “Laila” | Released September 24, 2026, and on all streaming platforms now.
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Stream music from Belle and Chain here
Review by Chad Cubberly
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