Toronto’s rising pop-soul artist Bella Cole is trading the slow lane for high gear with her latest single, Drive, now streaming on all major platforms. With a style that blends old-school soul and funk with modern pop finesse, Cole delivers a track steeped in adrenaline, heart, and a distinctly vintage cool — a sonic ride as thrilling as a spin in a ’65 Mustang.
The single arrives as Cole’s latest push into the national spotlight, backed by a creative pedigree that draws comparisons to industry icons like Amy Winehouse and Billie Eilish. Her blend of groove, grit, and rich storytelling comes from years of training and experience both in the studio and on stage. A graduate of Toronto’s Trebas Institute in Audio Engineering, she also brings a background in theatre and music, giving her a commanding presence that has already lit up iconic venues such as El Mocambo.
A Soundtrack for Late Summer
Released in the heart of August, Drive is poised to be a standout track for end-of-summer playlists. The single, co-written with producer Paul Koffman, fuses throwback tones with pop sparkle to capture the intoxicating rush of falling for someone you know is trouble — and doing it anyway.
“It’s about a whirlwind type of romance,” says Cole. “It burns bright and ends fast, but you just can’t help being pulled in because it’s all so exciting!”
The single’s vibrancy is matched by its visual counterpart — an all-female-driven music video that amplifies the song’s themes of empowerment and joy. Filmed with a mix of camaraderie and vintage swagger, it highlights strong, self-assured women enjoying the thrill of the ride. “The goal was to show how strong and kick-ass girls are when they’re just hanging out, being friends and having fun,” Cole explains. “We had the best time bouncing off each other’s energy. And yeah — it didn’t hurt to drive around in a ’65 Mustang all day!”
Storytelling in Motion
Cole’s approach to songwriting remains rooted in storytelling, a skill evident since her spring 2025 release Hold On. That hallmark is front and centre in Drive, which she describes as cinematic in its structure and scope. “When I’m writing music, I love to let my creativity flow like a story. I’ll think of a scenario and build it out with detail, like characters in a movie,” she says.
Lyrically, Drive weaves moments of vulnerability with unfiltered passion. The chorus bursts with fireworks: “You just make me feel so alive / And you’re making me lose my mind and go crazy / Let me be the car and I will let you drive tonight!”
The verses do not shy away from emotional complexity. In “I know you’re the bad choice again / But I like it when I feel like I’m losing control”, Cole taps into a universal truth of love’s most dangerous and exhilarating moments — the push and pull between self-restraint and surrender. And with “Could I be the one you’re looking for?”, she distills hope and longing into a single, resonant question.
A Growing Presence
Cole is quickly positioning herself as one of Toronto’s most magnetic new voices, bringing a modern yet timeless energy to Canada’s music landscape. Her ability to merge retro soul sensibilities with contemporary pop hooks gives her a broad appeal across audiences and genres.
Her growing catalogue is marked by groove-forward arrangements, soulful vocals, and an unapologetically female perspective. For fans of summer pop, soul throwbacks, and music that channels both power and playfulness, Drive offers an instant add to heavy rotation.
The release also signals a busy period ahead. Cole is actively working on new material, with plans for further singles and projects in the months to come. If Drive is any indication, listeners can expect more tracks that fuse technical musicianship with emotional storytelling — and more opportunities to see Cole’s energetic performances live.
Industry Support
Publicist and music commentator Eric Alper, who is representing the single, notes that Cole’s trajectory fits within a broader movement of Canadian artists carving out global attention through distinctive sounds and strong branding. Her ability to blend classic influences with a fresh aesthetic places her in a competitive but promising segment of the pop-soul market.
For now, Drive stands as both a celebration of summer freedom and a statement of Cole’s creative intent. It’s an unapologetic invitation to embrace joy, risk, and self-expression — preferably at full speed.