Belinda Carlisle has one of the most recognizable voices in pop music – and for me,she’s a massive part of the soundtrack to my childhood: sun-drenched afternoons, car rides with my mom, the windows rolled down, the stereo blasting — and the feeling that Heaven really is a place on Earth.

She’s also been one of the biggest inspirations in my own musical journey (which is probably why I’ve covered her more than anyone else). So when she releases something new, it’s never just another song — it’s a kind of homecoming. Like a favorite relative you don’t get to see often, but when you do… it’s like magic.

Her newest single, “The Air That I Breathe,” was originally a massive hit for The Hollies in 1974.  Produced by longtime collaborator Gabe Lopez, this version feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new. The song drifts in on a breeze of soft keys and gentle percussion, anchored by Carlisle’s unmistakable voice, which remains as rich, radiant, and refreshing as ever. While there is an air of nostalgia to track, it doesn’t wallow there. It’s current, on part with anything by artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, and Adele. 

It’s the best of both worlds. 

“The Air That I Breathe” is the lead track off Carlisle’s upcoming album, Once Upon a Time in California — her first full-length pop record since 1996’s A Woman and a Man. The album will feature ten tracks that shaped her formative years in Southern California, offering fans a glimpse into the music that helped transform her into an icon.

For longtime fans like me, this single is a gift. For new listeners, it’s an invitation — a chance to breathe in the brilliance of Belinda Carlisle and fall in love with her all over again.

There will be more Belinda Carlisle soon so…

Stay Tuned