A reputation for independence, altruism, and single-minded expression has attached itself to The Pastels since their inception in 1980. A cornerstone of the Glasgow scene, The Pastels are credited with giving Scottish rock the confidence to flourish, independent of major label backing. Another C86 staple, The Pastel’s blend of jangle-pop with post-punk, can be heard vicariously in almost every indie band today, including The 1975.
Yo La Tengo, Primal Scream and even Kurt Cobain cited them as heroes, and it says it all. They’re so legendary that in 2015, celebrated Danish beer company Mikkeller made a beer honouring their career entitled ‘Pastelism’. Their label Geographic boasts an internationally-facing roster with which the band champion their love of and belief in outsider music. Notable as these achievements are, The Pastels’ status is based on their canon of records, a magical journey through worlds of possibility, from the Glaswegian West End classicism of “Mobile Safari” to their more contemporary impressionistic dreamscapes, which has no sign of ending.
‘Check My Heart’ is all optimism, boldly announced by Katrina Mitchell’s intrepid vocal overlaps and Stephen McRobbie’s more melancholic counter. The sound is 3D, vivid – The Pastels’ love of garage punk, soul crossover and first-wave independent clatter converging all too briefly, winding down the window and racing off into the summertime. Shot on 16mm film with minimum set-ups, Blair Young’s ‘Check My Heart’ promo is the story of one early spring Saturday in Glasgow. Lives overlap, connect, coincide, the music is a constant; sometimes it’s only playing in our heads.
“Slow Summits” will be released on May 27th through Domino Recordings.
The Fat Angel Sings 