A cyclical concept album from Washington-based band Pastel Motel, with themes of “reflecting on repetition and life,” Confection touts a melodic rock sound with soaring heights and emotive twists. Pastel Motel formed in late 2011, touching on a variety of influences throughout the years, including metal, jazz, folk, and rock in the prog, alternative, and math veins. Confection plays as a culmination of eclectic stylistic admiration, reminding of acts spanning from Last Dinosaurs to The Wrens and Sonic Youth.
The twangy guitars and subdued vocals on “Webs” expand with invigorating qualities into a stirring chorus. A vocal passion past the two-minute mark extends into guitar work with a math-rock character, fluidly navigating with thick reverberations. The following track, “Waves,” is a suave and hooky rocker, its crisp verses and playful guitar work escalating into a grunge-tinted rise.
“We faced obstacle after obstacle trying to complete this record,” says drummer Ryan Maxey. “This album just refused to die, and I think it’s stronger for it.”
Stream Confection in its entirety below:
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“Waves” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of May 2022’ Spotify playlist.
