Giselle Confronts Trauma Head-On on “(Haunted By) The Ghost”

Some songs are written. Others just spill out because they have to. “(Haunted By) The Ghost” is firmly in the second category, and that urgency is exactly what makes Giselle’s latest release so heavy in the best way.

The Los Angeles–based alt-rock artist didn’t set out to craft a perfectly polished track. This song was born during a moment of PTSD flashbacks, captured instinctively on her phone with nothing but a keyboard and her voice. No rewrites. No overthinking. Just raw emotion moving faster than fear. Even after additional layers were added in the studio, that original feeling remains untouched.

Sonically, “(Haunted By) The Ghost” lives in a tense, atmospheric space. Moody keys anchor the track while subtle production choices keep the focus where it belongs: on the emotion. Giselle’s vocal delivery is restrained but aching, allowing vulnerability to lead instead of theatrics. She lets moments breathe, which makes every line land harder.

Lyrically, the song explores what it means to be haunted by someone who caused real harm. Not a metaphorical ghost, but a presence that lingers long after the damage is done. The kind that shows up uninvited, refuses to fade, and reopens wounds that were never fully allowed to heal. While the story is deeply personal, Giselle intentionally leaves the meaning open, giving listeners space to attach their own experiences to the song.

Her background as a multi-instrumentalist and seasoned live performer comes through in the track’s quiet confidence. Every element feels intentional, never overcrowded. Years of gigging from Buffalo to Los Angeles, and playing rooms like Hotel Café and Whisky a Go Go, show up in her ability to trust simplicity.

At its core, “(Haunted By) The Ghost” isn’t about closure. It’s about acknowledgment. Giselle isn’t trying to offer answers or wrap trauma up neatly. She’s offering understanding. A place to sit with the weight. A release for anyone carrying something they haven’t been able to name.

Giselle says she hopes the song helps people feel less alone and gives them permission to cry if they need to. That intention is felt in every second of the track. “(Haunted By) The Ghost” is honest, haunting, and quietly powerful, proof that sometimes the most impactful songs are the ones that don’t ask for attention; they just tell the truth.