BEYOND THE NOTES
Cover art by Brighton Ludwig
February 17, 2026 | Mia Kennedy & Shreya Varma
Have you ever wanted to hit the reset button on life? Going through a bad time, dealing with a bad breakup, wanting to start over somewhere fresh? Then transport to “Kansas,” Bella Andrews’ first single release with Cherry Pop Records and fourth release following her debut EP “breakfast.”
An indie-pop track accompanied with an acoustic guitar and powerful drums, Andrews invites listeners to join her as she expresses her desire to leave her past behind.
“Kansas is my ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ moment – Wizard of Oz energy, ruby slippers tapping in the grass,” Andrews shared. “It’s about wanting to become unrecognizable to myself, but in a way that doesn’t take life too seriously.” Like Dorothy, Andrews is ready to tap her shoes three times and be transported to a whole new world.
From the opening sounds of a plane flying across the sky transitioning into acapella vocals, the song creates an ethereal tone. This immediately hooks listeners into the feelings of dread that can come with starting over. As the song continues, the acoustic instruments add a groundedness, as though the listener is driving through the countryside right alongside her. Following the urge to break out of societal expectations and follow one’s heart rather than the brain, “Kansas” focuses on all that you can gain if you take a chance on yourself in the bravest way possible: starting completely fresh.
The entire song, from its lyrics to its instrumentation, surrounds the idea of freeing oneself from expectations, of making that big change – no matter how scary. The lyrics describe moving to a new state and dying your hair, encapsulating the desire to carve your own identity and go on your own path.
The building of layers and harmonies only adds to this. A multi-layered journey unfolds in a matter of minutes, from the doubtful reluctance of change to acceptance. This buildup is seen in how the song is produced, where every element embraces the themes present in the lyrics.
“I worked with an incredible group of musicians, producers, and engineers to bring this song to life, with help from my friends along the way,” Andrews shared. “It’s also the first song I’ve co-produced with my dad, and my first release with Cherry Pop, which makes it especially meaningful.”
“Kansas” releases on all streaming platforms February 13th, 2026, including Spotify and Apple Music with distribution from ADA. Follow Bella Andrews (@bellandrewss) on Instagram for all future updates.
Get that piercing. Buy that ticket. And don’t be afraid to start over.
About Bella Andrews:
Bella Andrews captures the ache of heartbreak and the search for belonging through an indie sensibility that feels straight out of a 2000s coming-of-age film. A fourth-year Music Industry student hailing from Marin County, Andrews pairs confessional lyricism with wistful guitar textures and melodies. Her sound moves effortlessly between understated, lo-fi inspection, as heard in “3 minutes,” and the more heavy-hitting catharsis release of “Junk Drawer.”
With her recent single, “Breakfast,” Andrews marries storytelling with clever, homespun analogies, and an infectious beat that draws listeners into her orbit. Now signed with Cherry Pop, Bella Andrews is ready to share more of who she is through an unfiltered, bittersweet gaze.