Since bursting onto the scene in 2020, with debut single She Waits For Me, Pastel have quickly established themselves as one of the most exciting emerging bands in the indie scene. There first two EPs secured the top two spots on the UK official vinyl charts and they received a personal invitation from Liam Gallagher to support him at his gargantuan Knebworth shows back in 2022.
The debut album, Souls In Motion, feels like a rare gem in today’s indie scene—an album that balances heartfelt nostalgia with a forward-looking sense of artistry. Drawing on influences from the golden era of Madchester, 90s shoegaze, psychedical and ambient pop, the Manchester quartet have crafted a record that feels both timeless and refreshing, whilst reaching new heights in this record, showcasing their growth as artists.
Here’s the ThisIsTheMusic track by track review.
Heroes Blood starts off in a haze of feedback, before exploding into a swaggering shoegaz-y anthem, built around an irresistible groove that sees Pastel make a huge statement of intent with the albums opening soundbite. Pastel’s ability to evoke emotion through subtle dynamics and textured production is on full display, as the song builds from a soft, reflective opening to a soaring and soaring reverb-heavy guitar riffs crescendo.
Your Day is bursting with energy and a hypnotic rhythm that instantly grabs your attention. The pulsating drum beat drives the song along with relentless intensity while layers of swirling guitars create a rich, immersive soundscape. The guitars particularly captivating, recalling the jangling brilliance of Manchester icons like Johnny Marr, but with a grittier edge that feels uniquely Pastel. The vocal switches between vulnerability and a triumphant swagger, whilst lyrically offering a resilience in the form of adversity.
Dancing On A Pin is a thrilling sonic journey, blending indie rock and psychedelia, providing an infectious and anthemic sound. The song commences with a hypnotic bassline and shimmering guitar riffs, immediately pulling listeners into its dreamlike yet defiant world. Frontman Jack Yates’ vocal is the songs focal point and carries a blend of grit and vulnerability, perfectly suited to lyrics that confront disillusionment and defiance against time-wasting distractions. The chorus is anthemic, delivering a cathartic release that begs to be sung along to in crowded venues.
Isaiah is a standout track and fan favourite thanks to its lyrical depth and anthemic structure. It’s an emotive reflection of a tumultuous upbringing and encapsulates everything that Pastel excel at. The soundscape is a hazy shoegazing masterpiece, with intricate guitar hooks, reminiscent of early The Verve, and sonorous strings, demonstrating that they are willing to push their anthemic sound into different avenues and to unlock their potential even further. The chorus lyric “In this life that I suffer for, You’re on my time, get back to yours” carries an emotional weight and as witnessed at live shows is one that will be sung back word for word.
Running On Empty is a high-octane song packed full of rocknroll swagger, that wouldn’t have sounded out of place on early Kasabian releases. Built around a compelling guitar riff, the songs lyrics paint a vivid picture of resilience and vulnerability.
Deeper Than Holy is an evocative track that showcases the band’s ability to create a cinematic and deeply emotional soundscape, reminiscent of The Verve. This track was first released back in 2021 (racking up 689k Spotify streams) and it’s a track that instantly captures your attention from the opening notes with shimmering guitars and a lush, reverb-heavy soundscape that feels expansive yet intimate. The vocals, delivered with both fragility and strength, glide effortlessly over the instrumentation, with the layered harmonies and subtle percussive elements creates a hypnotic aura.
Gone Too Fast is an atmospheric and emotionally charged track that solidifies the band’s mastery of evocative dream-pop. The song unfolds like a delicate tapestry, weaving together ethereal melodies, pulsating rhythms (including the addition of bonogs), reverb soaked guitars, and heartfelt lyrics that blends melancholy with hope and captures the fragility of moments that slip through our fingers.
Leave A Light On (Velvet Storm) is a brooding masterpiece that captures the essence of shoegaze, whilst having a fresh modern take on the genre. Driven by shimmering guitar tones, delicate piano strokes and solid drum beats, the songs soundscape consists of multiple layers and with each listen you discover something new. The reverb soaked guitars and understated basslines weave effortlessly together in the chorus, providing a reflective and melancholic tone, whilst carrying a glimmer of hope.
Sunnyside provides a light and chilled tone, that blends smooth indie pop with modern shoegazing textures. The song has a slow-building intensity, mixing subtle time keeping changes, whistling( why don’t more songs do this?) and these captivating harmonies in the songs latter half, which hint at bad looking to evolve and push their sound on.
Escape is a mesmerising journey through lush soundscapes, offering a dreamy, mid-tempo psychedelic experience, blending featuring acoustic backdrops and a pulsating finale. The shimmering guitars, evokes the sound of peak-era The Verve, but with a touch of contemporary polish that makes it unmistakably Pastel.
Souls In Motion is an extremely impressive debut album, that, thanks to its swirling blend of shoegazing textures and psychedelic depth, feels like a thrilling sonic journey – a kaleidoscope of emotion and atmosphere that lingers long after the final track fades out. It’s an immersive experience that seamlessly bridges the gap between nostalgia and modernity, paying homage to the roots of shoegaze and psychedelia while boldly pushing the genre forward. This is not just an album for the year — it’s an album for the ages.
Souls In Motion is released on Friday 17th January, via Spirit of Spike Island and is available to pre-order here.
Tickets for 2025 winter tour are on sale here.
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Main image 📷 Charlie Lightening
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