The Pastels Going for Adds

We are excited to announce a brand new album from twee vanguards, The Pastels. Formed in Glasgow, Scotland, The Pastels are part of a rich collective of influential bands that were born out of the first wave of UK and American punk and took the genre’s DIY aesthetic to add a nod to soul along with their own style of jangle & breeze. This movement in the early 80s went on to influence such bands as My Bloody Valentine, Beat Happening, & Nirvana and shaped the aesthetic of such labels as K and Slumberland. After a productive hiatus, The Pastels are back to continue carrying their musical tradition into new and familiar territory with its flowing montage of autumn instrumentals, pop songs, slow motion build ups and suddenly optimistic melody lines. Their new record, Slow Summits, was recorded and mixed by John McEntire (Tortoise, Sea & Cake, Bright Eyes, Broken Social Scene) and features the core Pastels lineup. On the record, are the iconic girl-boy vocal interchanges between Stephen McRobbie and Katrina Mitchell. Mitchell’s parts are coy yet cool, most apparent on lead single “Check My Heart”. The song is a three-chord rollercoaster that captures their essence and encompasses the jovial & dejected dichotomy subsequent bands have taken from them. Second track “Night Time Made Us” has a space to it, guided by Mitchell’s breathy melody – the song sits at the moment where dawn turns to day and the city still lies, unaware of the existing calm. “Come to the Dance” has a gentle rhythm that is peppered with handclaps and 60’s girl group coos that are delivered w/ a touch of uncertainty.

Features and love from Stereogum, Pitchfork, and Dusted have followed since the release of “Check My Heart” & finally we have their new album: vivid and concise, in love with sound, in love with life, and ready to save us from us.

“…hear where Belle And Sebastian got some of their swag.” – Stereogum

“True to form, the Pastels deliver an even mix of wist and whimsy set to a bright and jangly score.“ – Spin

RIYL: Belle & Sebastian, Camera Obscura, The Vaselines, Pavement

Recommended Tracks: Track #3 “Check My Heart”, track #9 “Come to the Dance”, track #2 “Night Time Made Us”, track #7 “Wrong Light”

FCC CLEAN

Going for Adds 6/3 & 6/4

Label: Domino