Austel returns with ‘The Beach in December’, a tender, folk-leaning release that opens the next chapter of her evolving sound. She has always balanced emotional clarity with a deep sense of place, and this track leans further into that strength. The new single arrives ahead of her show at The Waiting Room on 4 December, adding even more momentum to a year that has seen her continue to refine the intimate textures she is known for.

‘The Beach in December’ captures a moment of quiet reflection. Austel wrote it after a brief summer romance in Brighton ended in a way that felt gentle yet heavy. As the season turned, she revisited the same beach during winter and found herself tracing the emotional distance between past and present. The tone of the track reflects that shift. Its soft guitar lines, warm vocals, and careful writing draw from indie-folk influences while still sounding unmistakably like her.

Austel also paired the song with a sense-driven creative process. She recorded her entire route through Brighton on a handheld Zoom recorder: along the shoreline, through the cold air, and onto the train home. These field recordings shape the atmosphere of the track. They add a layer of real-world space that feels lived-in and honest, turning the song into something close to a time capsule. The single becomes both a personal memory and an invitation for listeners to step into that quiet world with her.

A warm and spacious shift into a more folk-infused palette

‘The Beach in December’ also marks a sonic change. Austel’s work has long carried an ambient softness, yet this release pushes further into the folkier side of her writing. The arrangement stays open and spacious, guided by guitar rather than the heavier piano focus of her earlier output. It is a natural expansion of the palette she explored across Dead Sea, and it highlights her instinct for pairing emotional detail with subtle production choices.

The track was mixed by Grace Banks and mastered by Katie Tavini, two names known for bringing clarity and warmth to intricate indie releases. Their work complements Austel’s meticulous approach. Each element sits exactly where it should, and nothing distracts from the emotional centre of the song. It is calm without being still, and textured without overshadowing her voice.

Austel’s background adds even more depth to this new phase. Originally from Devon and now based in London, she has built her career through years of session work, festival stages, and a growing body of production credits. Her academic grounding in creative music production and her recognition in the MPG Awards longlists underline her commitment to both craft and community. As a member of 2% Rising, she continues to champion inclusive spaces within the industry while developing her own catalogue with care and intention. ‘The Beach in December’ sits comfortably within that path.

Review

‘The Beach in December’ opens with the kind of gentle clarity that defines Austel at her strongest. The guitar sits close, the vocal sits warm, and the writing folds memory, distance, and self-reflection into something soft but striking. There is a quiet ache in the melody, yet it never sinks into gloom. Instead, it carries a steady sense of understanding.

The production adds another level of atmosphere. The field recordings weave through the track without drawing attention to themselves, giving the whole piece a subtle sense of movement. Austel’s voice remains the focus, steady and expressive, and the arrangement supports her without ever crowding the space. It feels personal, yet wide enough for listeners to inhabit.

As the song settles, it becomes clear that this release pushes her into a new space while keeping her core identity intact. ‘The Beach in December’ feels thoughtful and warm, and it shows how confidently Austel continues to grow. It is a beautiful step forward and a strong start to this new phase of her work.

You can follow Austel over on Instagram and listen to ‘The Beach in December’ on all the usual streaming platforms. You can also buy a digital copy of the single over on Bandcamp – something we really recommend you do as it’s one of the best ways to directly support independent musicians.