How pastel.. Built a Sound That Sticks

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For pastel.., music has always been about feel before flash. Raised in Minnesota and now based in Los Angeles, he has built a sound rooted in calm energy, late-night atmosphere, and songs that slip naturally into real moments rather than demanding attention. Growing up in a household where music from many eras and styles played freely, he built his relationship with sound on curiosity rather than trends. From an early age, creativity became the space where he felt most comfortable, and music slowly turned into the clearest way for him to express that instinct.

His earliest releases arrived during middle school alongside his close friend Cameron, driven more by excitement than expectation. Those early recordings were raw and unfiltered, created without concern for reach or results. High school brought more songs, still exploratory and casual. The real shift came years later, during his final stretch of college, when repeated encouragement from friends pushed him to take his music seriously. What had once been a side passion became a full commitment.

That decision reshaped his approach. Instead of experimenting endlessly, Pastel began refining a sound that felt instinctive and honest. Influences like Bob Marley, Sade, and Brent Faiyaz surfaced not through imitation, but through mood warmth, restraint, and emotional openness. His music leaned away from explanation and toward feeling, leaving space for listeners to project their own experiences.

That evolution is most clearly heard on “window.” Written during a period that felt both busy and reflective, the song captures the tension between motion and stillness. It pulls from familiar moments, night drives, quiet thoughts, the freedom of not overanalyzing every emotion. Rather than chasing complexity, Pastel focused on tone and atmosphere, allowing the song to breathe naturally.

The response exceeded expectations. While he believed in the track from the beginning, the level of listener connection surprised him. Messages began to arrive from people sharing how “window” fit into their routines and late-night moments. The organic feedback confirmed that the song wasn’t just another release; it was meeting people exactly where they were.

This sense of alignment carries into his latest EP, double dot, which reflects a more settled version of pastel as an artist. With college behind him, he had the freedom to dedicate real time to the project, collaborating closely with his friend Griffin Camens on production choices and overall direction. The result feels intentional without sounding forced, blending smooth rhythms with subtle global influences, including Afrobeats sounds that have long inspired him.

Beyond numbers or milestones, pastel.. wants his music to feel human. Each release acts as a timestamp capturing where he was mentally and creatively in that moment. As “window” continues to open new doors and double dot reaches new listeners, he remains committed to letting his story unfold naturally, one honest song at a time.

Check out pastel’s “window” on YouTube: