“DISENGAGED B/W SLIPPING” By Delta Of Venus

With their new double A-side single, “Disengaged b/w Slipping,” Delta of Venus makes a triumphant comeback, marking a new phase for the reformed indie pop/shoegaze band. These performances are accessible for streaming on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and other international platforms, and capture the essence of the band’s trademark ethereal sound with a striking new divergence in songwriting and vocal expression. With the release of the single, Delta of Venus is brought back to life and reborn, incorporating captivating textures and cinematic narratives into a sonic tapestry that is as classic as it is contemporary.

The song's music video, directed and conceived by Mystic photographer Michelle Gemma, casts a powerful spell on the songs by reinterpreting them through the prism of Joan of Arc as a contemporary icon of feminine defiance. The video was shot in early 2025 and is set in Mystic, Connecticut, which provides a rich historical context and features an all-female cast. This pairing of Gemma with the band serves to ground the music's sense of atmosphere and storytelling into something almost mythical. Much appreciation goes out to Evan Nickles, proprietor of House of 1833, for his kind contribution to the mansion setting, which magnificently enhances the haunting beauty of the music video.

In contrast to the conventional sound structure, Delta of Venus prefers fluid, interlacing movements that roll out like waves of sound. “Disengaged b/w Slipping” and ‘Interludes’ are not rock or pop. It does not have verses or memorized chunks of material in a song. Instead, the song takes you in and out while the textures and melodies blend like shifting tides. While this experimental technique resides in the shoegaze culture, the band's delicate arrangement of sounds sets them apart.

The inclusion of new vocalist Issy is what truly elevates this release. Mat Tarbox (bass guitar & sequencer programming), Shawn Fake (drums), and Ellery Twining (guitars) provide an energetic and dreamlike tune to the band, but the vocals from Issy put this song on a whole new level. The chance meeting at Mystic Disc where Issy was brought into the band happened purely by coincidence, and the results were astonishing. Her recording session at Dirt Floor Recording and Production in 3 hours was like a walk in the park for her. Her vocals intertwine wonderfully with the instrumentals and range from fantastical to commanding and full of intensity. It does feel like an understatement when Eric M. Lichter said ‘Issy is a gem’ because her voice adds a whole new realm to the already phenomenal Delta of Venus.

The song possesses an element of self-reflection and emotional richness, as Issy’s delivery evokes feelings of nostalgia and mystery. While shoegaze tends to tiptoe the line of abstraction, these tracks have an undeniable emotional heft that may be due to the band’s metamorphosis and collective odyssey. The warmth and immersiveness of the recordings are enhanced by the production of Lichter and the engineering of Guido Falivene at Dirt Floor. The emotionless balance between instrumentation and vocals creates a sonic environment in which listeners can deeply immerse themselves in the experience.

“Disengaged b/w Slipping” is where Delta of Venus demonstrates that an equally effective creative tool in the arsenal is not only met with change but rather resistance. Through their new charming voices, structural experimentation, and catchy, fresh, creative vision, the band manages to shed their former skin in an endlessly captivating fashion. Fans of shoegaze, indie pop, and experimental rock will adore this as much as anyone looking for music that forgoes bland hooks and outlines in favor of raw emotion woven into sound and texture.

For those who have kept track of Delta of Venus over the years, this release is a nice comeback. For those experiencing them for the first time, it’s an enchanting presentation. Make sure to listen to “Disengaged b/w Slipping” on your favorite platform as well as immerse yourself in the visually stunning world of Michelle Gemma’s film. And to Issy, Mat, Shawn, Ellery, and all those who made this project possible, this is only the start, and brace yourselves for more bangers from Delta of Venus.

Written by Manuel