Thanks for joining us for the last Beat The Delete of 2021 and thanks for your loyal readership, that has made this weekly article our most read by far.

Although we have had fewer recent submissions due to the Xmas period and the fact that I was inundated with the Devil's vomit that is Xmas music, (I have had to order a new delete button), the following bakers dozen of acts/tracks still provide us with a quality end to the year.

Happy New Year Everyone !!!

Sad Eyed Beatniks

Track: Ring Around Annie From: Claudia’s Ethereal Weaver (album) Label: Meritorio Records / Paisley Shirt Records Out: Album out 28.01.22

Continuing their more recent forays into more alt.jangky climes, Meritorio Records team up with Paisley Shirt Records and San Francisco’s Sad Eyed Beatniks (the solo project of Kevin Linn) to provide a perfectly weird mixture of Television Personalities obtuse, retro ‘no track’ production and subtle faux jangled melodies.

Catchers

Track: Shifting From: Shifting (EP) Label: Les Disques du 7ème Ciel Out: Now

After 25 years this EP finally sees a vinyl release courtesy of the musical archaeologists at the French, Les Disques du 7ème Ciel. The promo blurb announces the EP as ‘blissful pop’ and I would not argue in the slightest !

Sullen Eyes

Track: Vacation From: Vacation (Single) Label: Self released Out: Now

Although there is no specific mention of the word Christmas, I think that the perfect blend of indie-pop and fluttering late 80’s, ‘Sarah’ style jangle, may well have cunningly disguised the fact that this was intended as a Christmas release?….If so, this version of The Go-Go’s, is only the 2nd Xmas music track that has not resulted in me being a little bit sick in my mouth.

Vases

Track: Comfort Creature From: Comfort Creature (Single) Label: Self released Out: Now

Vases is the solo recording project of Los Angeles based Ty Baron, who creates a mixture of aural textures that takes in Echo and the Bunnymen grandiose theatre and the very best of the modernity of today’s jangle-gaze movement.  Absolutely beautiful.

Nah

Track: The Useless Model From: The Useless Model ​/​ Rainy Days And Wednesdays (Single) Label: Platiruma !!! Out: Now

This return of the wonderful indie/retro vibe of the German / Netherlands of Seb Voss and Estella Rosa, is part jangly sophisti-pop, part C86 playful and all indie-pop heart.

Church Crush

Track: Calyer From: Demos ’21 (EP) Label: Self released Out: Now

The first release from this New York trio adds Castlebeat style languid jangle to the slightest of gaze sensibilities, to provide a plaintive beauty that is augmented by the barely discernible, melancholic vocal delivery.

Vern Matz

Track: Getting Older From: Getting Older (Single) Label: Self released Out: Now

A late contender for single of the year, from a duo who emboss trademark lo-fi beauty, on all that jangly slowcore can be.

Aizat Haris feat Celeste Madden

Track: Just Like You Would From: Happy Life (EP) Label: Esdeath Recordings Out: Now

Brunei’s Aizat Haris, adds the sweetness of British chanteuse, Celeste Madden, to his dulcet mix of Gushh style jangle gaze and Vern Matz style isolation.

Chastity Belt

Track: Fake From: Fake / Fear (single) Label: Self released Out: Now

With lyrics expressing the uncertainty of love’s vulnerability, coursed through their typically polished lo-fi, jangly laconic semi-melancholy, Chastity Belt cement their reputation as being one of the most consistently beautiful acts around. 

VHS Sports

Track: Flowers From: Flowers (single) Label: BIRTHDiY Out: Now

This Mexico City based act has moved over from the Spirit Goth label to collaborate with another label, BIRTHDiY, who also provide a natural home to his isolated, jangle-gaze sense of stunning.

Short Claude

Track: Into the Blue From: Freedom to Give Up (album) Label: Self released Out: Now

Early 60s surf-rock given an essence of modernity with perfectly disinterested, female vocals, that courses a genuinely original twee essence into the surf mix.

Thanks For Coming

Track: Hard Drive From: Rachel Jr (album) Label: Self released Out: Album out 09.01.22

Thanks for Coming is the recording project of Rachel Brown of Water From Your Eyes fame. This 2nd single from her forthcoming album, juxtaposes the lowest and more obtuse end of lo-fi, against a Jilted Jonas sense of brilliant spurious.

The No-Yeahs

Track: Song From: Song (single) Label: Self released Out: Now

The No-Yeahs is the recording project of a female bedroom-pop artist who merely refers to herself as ‘girlonbus’ in her various bio’s. Fluttering with gorgeous, twee/indie-pop fragility, this is the final endearing single of several she has released in 2021.