Bella Mackenzie returns with new single ’Second Hand Dust’
Australian rising country-pop singer Bella Mackenzie today releases her new single ‘Second Hand Dust’.
Written with acclaimed singer songwriter Lydia Sutherland and Jacky McCormack, who also produced the single. ‘Second Hand Dust’ is a gorgeous meld of country and pop with a superb vocal performance from Mackenzie as she sings of a toxic relationship she feels unable to leave: ‘we go together like fire and ice…why do I stay?’
“‘Second Hand Dust’ is a play on the term ‘Second Hand Smoke’,” Mackenzie says. “Much like getting someone’s second hand smoke, you might not be the problem, but you are causing yourself harm by being in the situation, in this case a toxic relationship. You know that it will continue to happen because the other person is not ready to change but you don’t want to walk away so you get caught in their Second Hand Dust.”
‘Second Hand Dust’ follows a trio of new singles from Mackenzie in 2026, a collection that marks her first new material since the release of her debut EP Wild Thing in 2024. ‘GIRL’ released last month, is a tender ballad that encourages you to find the love you deserve, not necessarily the one you have right now. April’s ‘BLACKSMITH’ showcases Mackenzie’s musical chops and versatility, with a magnetic blend of pop, country, R&B and a hint of electronica. ‘There Must Be A Fire’ has a similarly diverse soundscape, this time creating a brooding, dark soundscape as a story of a cheating lover plays out, with Mackenzie’s vocal taking on a gorgeous husky tone.
First releasing music in 2020, Mackenzie has steadily become one of Australia’s most promising young country-pop performers. With over 5.5 million global streams to her name, she has also received critical acclaim, with a nomination for Female Artist of the Year at the 2026 Country Town Awards. She has performed live at some of the country’s biggest festivals including CMC Rocks and the Tamworth Country Music Festival and has also supported US performers Riley Green and Jake Banfield on their tours. This October she will perform at Savannah In The Round and Deni Ute Muster.
With this new era of her career, Mackenzie is showcasing her creativity and her ability to step out of the box musically and create really compelling and intriguing music. Creating some of the best music of her career to date, Mackenzie is an artist who is clearly shaping up to be one of Australia’s best, and we are excited to hear what comes next for her.
‘Second Hand Dust’ is out now via Island Records. You can download and stream here.
Follow Bella Mackenzie on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Read our four page interview with Bella Mackenzie in issue 17 of Women In Pop Magazine.
BELLA MACKENZIE LIVE SHOW DATES
October 2 – October 3 – Deni Ute Muster, Deniliquin, NSW
October 8-11 – Savannah In The Round, Mareeba, QLD
