Welcome Strawberry "Stargel"

Welcome Strawberry returns with Stargel, a 12” single that pushes the boundaries of modern shoegaze into experimental terrain. Forgoing the typical dense layers of the contemporary scene, the Oakland-based project blends psychedelia, trip-hop, electronica, and post-shoegaze textures into a five-minute, tripped-out opus. Crafted by Cyrus VandenBerghe (Still Ruins), the track draws inspiration from Seefeel, 90s Madonna, and Jagwar Ma, producing a hypnotic, genre-defying sonic journey.

The release also features three inventive remixes from forward-thinking artists across the indie and electronic spectrum. Tricky FM transforms “Stargel” into an IDM-tinged ambient meditation, forever ☆ reimagines it with UK garage-infused breakbeats and harmonies, and Kai Tak delivers a moody, trip-hop reinterpretation reminiscent of hidden 90s club tracks. Each version highlights the versatility and timelessness of the core composition, giving listeners multiple immersive perspectives on the song.

Mixed and mastered by Angel Marcloid (Fire-Toolz) at Angel Hair Audio, Stargel is presented with artwork by Bruno Lauzon Tanzi, whose Y2K rave-inspired visual aesthetic complements the music’s futuristic-yet-nostalgic tone. This 12” single is both a bold statement of Welcome Strawberry’s evolving sound and a testament to the creative possibilities at the intersection of shoegaze, electronica, and experimental pop.