ALBUM REVIEW: Dear God by The Pretty Reckless
The Pretty Reckless have emerged from the whiskey-tinged shadows to bring us their fifth studio album, Dear God.
This album feels darker, rawer and more intimate, with diaristic vulnerability rather than the usual swell of unrelentless heavy sounds. Nevertheless, this is still an album filled with absolute bangers, and we’re here to talk about it.
We open with Life Evermore Pt.2, a soft quick prelude, setting a cinematic tone for the album. There’s three of these interludes throughout the album, acting as thematic anchors. Each one feels like a moment to breathe.
Switching from the restrained prelude to the thunderous riff of For I Am Death, it feels like an announcement, like the band are snapping your fingers in front of your noses. “Pay Attention Now; this album is telling you a story!” And I feel like they have done brilliantly in the storytelling department of this album. Taylor Momsen’s lyricism seems to have shifted from glam provocation to a more confessional stance, unearthing concepts of mortality, grief and redemption.
When I Wake Up gives a grungy vibe, serrated guitars alongside muscular drums, and Momsen’s drawling (almost mumbling?) lines across the spread, with a chorus made to sing along to.
Track No.4, Love Me is an innate lament, tinged with isolation. The lines in the choruses “Why doesn’t anyone love me? / I just need someone to want me” are simple yet heartbreaking, perhaps transporting us all to a time in our own lives of aching desire.
Dragonfire seems to flirt with a slightly different sound than what you’d expect from the band, giving me what I can only describe as an outlaw fantasical vibe. Balancing acoustic textures and electric solos, paired with mythic imagery giving lyrics, I think it’s a great standout on the album which wasn’t released as a single.
Dear God is the central track in the album, straight away creeping up with a eerie build. It’s cathartic and monumental sounding, layered beautifully without feeling cluttered. Taylor’s vocals moving from almost spoken confessions to raw soaring notes in the chorus. This feels like a spiralling confession, so desperate for someone to throw a rescue line. While there are religious hints throughout the album, it doesnt feel “too much”. I genuinely belive that this is one of the best sounding tracks The Pretty Reckess have provided their listeners to this day.
Rollercoaster Of Life is a lighter feeling track a bit more down the line, with very heavy similar sounds to what you might expect from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, from the drumbeat to the subdued guitar tones. Is it my favourite? No, but I can definitely appreciate the switch up.
Devil In Disguise (Michelle’s Song) is a song I really wanted to touch base on. It’s a tender and intimate song, quiet and vunerable. To note on the title, “Michelle’s Song”, I am unsure as to whether this references to not long ago deceased co-star and friend to Taylor Momsen, Michelle Trachtenberg. The two worked closely together on the hit show, Gossip Girl. In Gossip Girl, Michelle Trachtenberg’s character, Georgina Sparks, is the ultimate schemer of the Upper East Side and is famously referred to as "the devil" and "Satan". Again, this is merely a speculation, but if I am correct, it’s a beautiful track commemorating her.
This album has done a spectacular job in unveiling some emotional crossroads, giving us a more raw, ragged and revealing side to the group. It’s bold and imperfect, a piece of art that chooses feel over polished finish. For a band that has always flirted with genre bends and spectacle, this inward turn feels like their most honest work yet.
This album is out now, I HIGHLY recommend you sit down and really listen to this one.
Review by Neve Saltmarsh