Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 05/04/2022

Following on from a killer run of vibrant singles including “Harmless Fun” and “Math”, London’s “awkward pop” pioneer Belot has announced her new EP Harmless Fun, showcased by the new single “Fake Phone Calls”, which brings back more of that bright and energetic texture she just loves to explore.
“Fake Phone Calls” makes for the perfect accompaniment to highlight her upcoming EP. Filled with rich and flamboyant textures, and shimmering with her own insatiable persona, she is looking to break through with a fresh and unmistakable sound.
Speaking about the new track “Fake Phone Calls”, she said, “It is an unfortunately true tale about when I almost physically ran into my ex whilst walking with my new partner. In order to do anything and everything to avoid the hellish interaction, I fumbled and pretended to be on the phone and of course, my phone decided to ring at that very moment, so I panicked and crossed the road… She pretended she didn’t see me and the whole thing was the stuff of nightmares.”
The new single is available HERE via Neon Gold Records / Submarine Cat.
While adding about the EP, "The Harmless Fun EP is essentially a diary of my early 20’s. Falling out of love, breaking up, navigating single life and falling in love once more. Over the last year or so I’ve definitely been learning a lot about adulthood, friendships and relationships. It sounds rather bizarre but the pandemic, albeit horrific in many many ways, brought me closer to the people in my life.
“My best friend and I spent a lot of time living together in lockdown and creating in our little attic room in East London. It gave us both a huge buzz and we realised that in a time when everyone felt so powerless all we could do to contribute to the world was make our music. As soon as life started again my fire to get into sessions and the studio was at an all-time high.
"Everyone I worked with had exactly the same sort of realisation that we are sooo beyond privileged to be working in a job that essentially lets us play with digital lego and see what happens.
"So I suppose this EP is a little insight into my life, mistakes I’ve made, tequila I’ve overindulged in, ups, downs, left, rights, late nights, McDonalds bites. (Profound I know.)
"Even in the hellish storm of the pandemic and the biggest breakup of my life to date, silliness and laughter were constant in my life. The reminder of how delicate we all are, made it even more apparent that we can’t take life for granted. At the end of the day a bit of 'Harmless Fun' never hurt anyone."
Belot is a pop fanatic. She adores pop – she lives it, breathes it, and devours it whole. Well, she’d have to. Her own songwriting – deliciously infectious, hilariously engaging – is pop in its purest, most ruthlessly enjoyable sense. It’s crafted by a student of the genre, someone who wakes up in the morning with a song in her head, and won’t rest until it’s down on tape before breakfast. It’s what allowed her debut EP to become such a surprise success – and it’s what is driving her to undreamt-of heights.
Belot released her debut EP, Electric Blue in the first half of 2020 just as the pandemic was beginning. Millions of streams across multiple platforms followed, while Radio 1’s Jack Saunders was a fan. Early adopters included Wonderland and The Line Of Best Fit, but this resolutely down to earth personality isn’t about to get caught up in the hype. Her upcoming EP is set to be a special moment.
“I love pop. Always have! And I’m not afraid to say it,” she exclaims. “I think for me, a pop song is something that is going to be so catchy it hurts. I’m going to wake up in the middle of the night and it’ll still be stuck in my head.”
From here on in, at the quietest moments of the day and night, Belot is set to be your companion, shaking up your life and providing something unique, and truly addictive.
COLUMNS

BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 8/10/26
Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Des & the Swagmatics, Bamberdost, Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves, Jonny Couch, Sean Henry Tonight!, and Ava LaMonte. Plus a look back at "Duluth" by Particle Zoo.
MORE NEWS

The Soundtrack of Resilience: Explore Music's Role in Post-9/11 America at the Lacey Library
(FORKED RIVER, NJ) -- In honor of Patriot Day, the Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library will host "The Soundtrack of Resilience: Music and 9/11" on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The event begins at 2:00pm.

Albert Music Hall presents Pineystock on Sunday

"Amazing!" Bruce Hornsby LIVE! at Ocean City Music Pier

The Vogel presents Early Elton Trio on Saturday

Scottish Rite Auditorium presents Hot Tuna on Friday
UPCOMING SHOWS

2026-27 Season Preview: Split Level Concerts at Jersey Shore Arts Center
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Split Level Concerts at the Jersey Shore Arts Center (JSAC) in Ocean Grove has announced the full concert lineup for its third season. All shows will take place beginning at 8:00pm in JSAC's Palaia Theater. The season lineup includes Willie Nile, John Gorka, Dan Bern, Catie Curtis and Band, Stephen Kellogg, Abbie Gardner, Heather Maloney and Band, and Kim Richey. As they have done in prior years, artists from the Asbury Park music scene will open many of the shows.

MPAC's Summer 2026 Preview

West Windsor Arts Announces 2026 Summer Music and More Series

Jersey Arts Podcast: Jorma Kaukonen and Hot Tuna Bring New Tour to New Jersey
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
The Penguin Rocks
© 2026 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
[email protected]
Presented by New Jersey Stage