Colin 
Austel has revealed her new single ‘30th Day’, arriving ahead of her upcoming headline show at The Harrison in Kings Cross on 20 March. The release continues a run of activity that began late last year and places the focus firmly on clarity, reflection, and emotional honesty.
‘30th Day’ addresses the fatigue that comes from being pulled back into situations you already know will cause harm. Rather than framing the song as a moment of resolution, Austel positions it as an act of recognition. The track sits with repetition and weariness, capturing the point where awareness becomes unavoidable.
Speaking directly about the single, Austel says: “30th Day is about feeling tired of being drawn to bad things / people who hurt you. You know it’s a dead end, or a groundhog day of getting your hopes raised that this time it’ll be different, and you’re exhausted by the amount of space it’s taking up in your life.” Her explanation places the focus on emotional drain rather than drama, grounding the song in lived experience rather than abstraction.
She goes on to frame the song as a step toward agency rather than escape. “While the song depicts quite a bleak situation, I think there’s power in naming what is causing you pain or holding you back,” she explains. “Once you see it for what it truly is, you can start to work out a way to overcome.” That emphasis on naming and seeing forms the emotional core of ‘30th Day’, keeping the song rooted in awareness rather than outcome.
The single follows ‘The Beach in December’, which was released in November and introduced a new chapter in her solo work. That track marked a reset in tone and direction, positioning the project around intimacy and calm. With ‘30th Day’, Austel continues that chapter while shifting toward heavier subject matter, maintaining a close and personal perspective throughout.
A steady path shaped by experience
Austel is an accomplished singer, songwriter, and producer whose sound has developed steadily over time. Her production work has expanded across years of studio experience, shaping polished indie-folk releases with a clear sense of texture and warmth. In her more recent material, she has explored the intimacy of guitar-led writing while preserving a spacious and open feel.
Before releasing music under her own name, Austel spent years working as a session musician. During that period, she toured the UK and performed at festivals including Glastonbury. She officially launched her solo career in 2018 with the release of her debut EP Unfold. The EP drew early attention, with BBC 6 Music describing her sound as ‘Haunting and moody’ and The Line Of Best Fit stating that ‘Every note is placed for ultimate impact’.
She followed Unfold with her second EP Cold Love in 2020. That release led into her debut album Dead Sea, which arrived in February of last year. The record was self-produced and represented the culmination of seven years of work. Across twelve piano-led tracks, the album explored loss, recovery, and transformation. The project also featured collaboration with Grammy award-winning engineer Guy Massey.
Originally from Devon and now based in London, Austel brings a detail-oriented and emotionally intuitive approach to each project she undertakes. Alongside her own releases, she continues to build a wide-ranging production portfolio across genres and formats. She holds a first-class honours MA in Creative Music Production and has been long-listed for Breakthrough Producer and Self-Producing Artist of the Year at the 2024 and 2025 MPG Awards. She is also a member of 2% Rising and an advocate for safer and more inclusive practices within the music industry.
With more music planned for later this year, ‘30th Day’ arrives as part of a longer creative arc rather than a standalone release.
Review
‘30th Day’ is direct in both theme and intent. The song centres repetition and emotional fatigue without softening its message, keeping attention on recognition rather than reassurance. The writing stays close to its subject, allowing the weight of the idea to speak for itself.
As a follow-up to ‘The Beach in December’, the track continues the current phase of Austel’s solo work. It reinforces a focus on honesty and reflection, fitting naturally within her growing catalogue.
You can follow Austel over on Instagram and listen to 30th Day now on all streaming platforms. You can also buy the track on Bandcamp which is always the best way to support your favourite musicians…
Phil Wolvin