"The debut from wunderkind Paul Steel is a veritable masterwork of pop brillance. Ten tracks that segue seamlessly to make one 27-minute song. April & I tells the tale of a boy, his imaginary friend, and the struggles of growing up. Playful melodies and lush harmonies abound among orchestral swells, traditional piano and guitar, and even a dance party electronic romp. In synthesizing a history of pop from The Beach Boys to latter day groups like The Posies and Jellyfish, Paul Steel has created the perfect headphone symphony. (www.myspace.com/paulsteel)" 8 blips out of 10
- Under The Radar Magazine




Brighton-based Paul Steel (20) is picking up new and enthusiastic fans by the cartload, including XTC's Andy Partridge, High Llama's Sean O'Hagan, legendary Brian Wilson collaborators Van Dyke Parks and Stephen John Kalinich, plus Brian's current band Wondermints.

Recent support slots with Sean Lennon, Aqualung, Jim Noir, Ed Harcourt, David Ford, Heavy Blinkers and Duke Special; and recording sessions with Craig Silvey (Magic Numbers, The Coral), Simon Lord (Simian, Bent) and Charlie Francis (High Llama's, REM) have continued to build the buzz.

Paul's style has been compared to contemporary psychedelic pop artists Super Furry Animals, Grandaddy and Rufus Wainwright.




A triumph of reason and passion for a writer at any age, but most impressive for an 18-year old. Filled with epiphanies that lead him in a totally individual direction.
- Van Dyke Parks

This kid is really sweet, and has some interesting chord changes and melodies. His songs are very ambitious, and their best moments sound a bit like Queen meeting the Beach Boys in the bedroom of a 15 year old boy wearing batman pyjamas. Certainly a talent.
- Sean Ono Lennon

Paul is most definitely a major songwriting talent and a totally realised producer. His understanding of arrangement is beyond question. This is very special music.
- Sean O'Hagan, The High Llamas.

Gorgeous music. Are you really as young as they say..? If so, there's hope yet.
- Wondermints

Paul Steel rules. This is amazing work
- Iain Archer, former Snow Patroller and Ivor Novello Award-winning songwriter.

In A Coma just @#$%^&* freaked me out!! Holy @#$%^&* bananas!! The ending killed me. Dude, I raise the goblet of pop high in the air and toast thee venerable knight that conquers melody and harmony like a dragon slayer. Here here. WTF??
- Nelson Bragg, artist and Brian Wilson band member