Singer-songwriter Matt Maltese has unveiled an intimate, new live performance video for his duet, “Cure For Emptiness,” featuring collaborator Bello (the artist alias of actor Bella Ramsey). The stripped-back video captures Maltese and Bello delivering the track in a home-taped setting, underscoring the song’s emotional candour.
Maltese publicly acknowledged his year-long creative partnership with Ramsey, expressing his deep admiration for their work together:
“I’m so honoured to have Bella sing ‘cure for emptiness’ with me under their new artist project Bello. I’ve had the privilege of getting to know and make music with them this past year, and they are as special as everyone knows them to be. Thank you Bella for lending your angelic voice to this song, and hope you all enjoy.”
The delicate, raw piano ballad originates from Maltese’s sixth studio album, Hers, released in May. He previously characterised the track as being “a song about searching and never finding, and those small moments where you feel and see everything.” The album itself is Maltese’s most insular work to date and his first fully self-produced effort since Krystal. It exists in a “twilight world,” reflecting on the more complex realities of a long-term relationship with characteristic heartfelt songwriting, dry wit, and a subtle backdrop of strings, woodwind, and creaking piano.
This new release arrives while Maltese is in the midst of an extensive global headline run. His current tour of North America, featuring a stop at LA’s Greek Theatre, will be followed by seven nights across the UK in November, culminating in his largest London show at the Roundhouse. The tour is then set to continue across Europe in December, totalling 46 performances.
