
PASTEL
Souls In Motion (Spirit Of Spike Island)
When Pastel formed in 2020, they were a Swansea-based group, though have since made Manchester their de facto home, and release debut album Souls In Motion via the city’s Spirit Of Spike Island label. A quintet comprising cousins James and Jack Yates – who vowed they would start a band during a journey home from a Stone Roses gig – with guitarist Joe Anderson, bass player Liam O’Shea and Rhys Wheeler on drums, Pastel cite influences from The Verve, Radiohead, The Charlatans and New Order on this 10-song effort.
Certainly, Souls In Motion makes a nod to the 90s Manchester sound, and every track is a winner – they make cool music videos to boot, Dancing On A Pin for example. With support from Liam Gallagher, who personally invited them to perform at his 2022 Knebworth megagig, and their gigs in Swansea always selling out within hours, Pastel’s upcoming tour is sure to be a busy one.
words EMMA J SMITH