We were last treated to the soothing arrangements of LA-based songwriter/producer Garbiel Brenner (who is better known as PASTEL) back when he released the visceral video for "I Ache", the first single off of his upcoming Bone-Weary EP. Today, EARMILK is delighted to debut the second single off of the new project, a delicate introspective piece entitled "The Mirror".
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Just like his previous release, this track showcases Gabriel's ability to make the most out of less. It is primarily carried by a wispy synth tone floating in the backdrop, which allows for his soulful croons & harmonies to take up a majority of the mix. This skeletal arrangement forces listeners to fully feel the weight of Gabe's sorrowful songwriting, in which Gabe examines the relationship between his body and fluid gender identity via his reflection. He deftly illustrates the disconnect between the image seen in the mirror and his perception of self presenting both himself and the listener with the question: "does body match soul?" The track then ends in a climatic plead in which Pastel repeatedly begs to "feel like himself again," a moving hymn-like proclamation to understand a body, identity, and sense of being endlessly in flux. PASTEL's Bone Weary EP is set to be released on June 24th via Very Jazzed / Frenchkiss Label Group in digital and cassette format, and is currently available for pre-order on the artist bandcamp!
