It’s been a long 5 years since the Taylor Momsen-led rock powerhouse that is The Pretty Reckless has released a studio album, which kind of makes sense. Death By Rock And Roll was such an absolute belter of an album, emotionally and musically, that it would prove to be a hard act to follow.
But never ones to shy away from a challenge, The Pretty Reckless have delivered once again in the form of Dear God, their fifth and arguably most solid album. Seriously, this record is a ride through the psyche of a band who have truly found their niche, so dig in your heels and hold on tight, cos it’s gonna get bumpy!
Life Evermore Pt.2 begins proceedings with a subdued demeanour; acoustic guitar and Momsen’s signature ashtray vocals carrying you softly into the arms of lead single For I Am Death. This first real taste of the full-band energy takes you to a precipice with a slow burn intro that leads into an almighty chorus and ducks and weaves its way through themes of addiction and self-destruction before reaching a massive crescendo.
When I Wake Up’s punk-driven tale of excess is an immediate sing-along favourite and a surefire hit made for the live arena, as are the greater majority of the songs on this record. Dragonfire shifts gears with it’s fast-paced acoustic riffage that literally explodes into a full-on rock anthem for the ages.
The title track takes you on a journey through the darker parts of this bands existence before Life Evermore Pt.3 brings back the acoustic charm that leads straight into the bouncy About You.
The back half of the album pumps the brakes, with the ballad-y Eye of the Storm the way for a soft close to the album, giving you a chance to finally catch your breath.
While this album doesn’t rewrite any formulas, it definitely expands on the existing sound that the band have crafted over the course of more than a decade of writing and touring. Guitarist Ben Philips knows how to write the catchiest of riffs, the rhythm section keep the pulse flowing as fast or as slow as need be and then there’s frontwoman extraordinaire, Taylor Momsen, who’s vocal range is almost impossible to fathom coming out of a human of such small stature.
Dear God is another notch in the already super-studded belt that is The Pretty Reckless’ storied career and here’s to hoping they make it to our shores sooner rather than later so we can bask in the brilliance of some of these new tunes.
DEAR GOD – DUE OUT JUNE 26
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