The summer saw Pastel amplify their reputation as one of the UK’s next wave of vital guitar bands. They’ve become the new favourite band of the iconic Liam Gallagher and connected with a huge new audience when they opened his gargantuan Knebworth Park show and then at another huge show in Cardiff. Meanwhile, their radio support continues with airplay at 6 Music and Radio X.
Building on that upward momentum, Pastel now release their second EP ‘Isaiah’. It follows the Manchester band’s debut EP ‘Deeper Than Holy’, which made a big impact as it went straight to #1 on the UK vinyl chart and sold-out its 12” vinyl pressing in just 90 seconds. There has been such demand for the EP that prices on Discogs start at £80 a copy.
The EP was previewed by the single ‘S.O.H.O.’, which immediately fires on all cylinders, its ‘90s-tinged indie-dance strut propelled by John Squire-esque guitars before its breakdown explodes back into life with a bang that will ignite live shows and club nights alike. Frontman Jack Yates’ voice also stands out, blending trademark Manchester style with a soulful edge.
The ‘Isaiah’ EP features ‘S.O.H.O.’ and the recently released title track alongside two new songs in the shape of ‘Escape’ and ‘Two Fools’. ‘Escape’ channels the spirit of early Verve, dreamy psychedelia possessing an air of both nostalgia and optimism. The concluding ‘Two Fools’ is a bigger beast, contrasting spiralling big riffs with a spacey acoustic passage before once again hitting hard. In short, ‘Isaiah’ shows that Pastel bring a palpable new energy to their storied musical roots.
Guitarist James Yates says, “This EP feels like a step up, like we’re growing musically and expanding on our sound! It’s everything we’re about. Trippy and chilled out with a proper deep groove to it. No other young British band is doing anything nearly as good, and we cannot wait for things to pop off in 2023 when our debut album drops.”
The ‘Isaiah’ EP is out now on digital and three vinyl editions, each strictly limited to just 500 copies. The Spirit of Spike Island store exclusively stocks the striking blue and pink marbled versions, while a glacier white edition is available via select independent stores worldwide.
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