Manchester five-piece Pastel formed in 2017. They’re made up of cousins Jack Yates (Vocalist) and James Yates (Rhythm guitar) Joe Anderson (Lead guitar) and South Wales lads Rhys Wheeler (Drums) and Liam O’Shea (bass).
Signed to independent label Spirit of Spike Island, they released ‘She Waits For Me’ for in 2020.
Many bands strive for a huge sound, but, too many fall into stadium rock era Oasis. Pastel, however, have walked the tightrope of credibility here with ease. Like The Verve and Ride, there’s layer upon layer of mysticism and psychedelia resounding out. It’s fresh and equally as powerful as the aforementioned greats.
Yates’ vocals are key to its success. More melodic than Tom Meighan and more robust than Van McCann’s, he lends accessibility to this vast soundscape. Without this, the mammoth guitars would be too daunting otherwise
*Image courtesy of Matthew Enyon and Spirit of Spike Island