Fearless Records
26 June 2026
Review by Mizzie Maxx
New York noise machine The Pretty Reckless are best known for their hard rock and alternative rock sound, frequently blending heavy, riff-driven 1970s-style classic rock with elements of grunge and blues. Led by frontwoman Taylor Momsen, the quartet has evolved their sonic structure over the years, incorporating Southern gothic, blues, and even Americana influences while maintaining a core traditional rock and roll spirit.
With the upcoming Dear God – out June 26 – The Pretty Reckless enter a new creative chapter. Described by Momsen as an album embracing vulnerability, intensity and artistic freedom, the band’s fifth studio release delivers exactly that while still holding onto the hard rock foundations that fans have come to demand.
Dear God opens with Life Evermore Pt. 2, a bold and intriguing acoustic opening salvo that immediately sparks curiosity. Starting with Part 2 feels like stepping into the middle of a story, a creative decision that pays off as the album unfolds and the remaining pieces slowly reveal themselves.
That calm quickly gives way to For I Am Death, a track built around tension, space and restraint. The stop/start guitar work keeps listeners hanging on every note while Momsen’s commanding vocal performance drives the song forward. It’s easy to understand why this was chosen as one of the album’s key singles.
Another standout arrives in When I Wake Up. Driven by a thick bass groove and loaded with attitude, the track feels cinematic, allowing listeners to create their own narrative as it unfolds. It’s one of those songs that commands complete attention, pulling you deeper into the album’s world with every listen.
One of Dear God’s biggest surprises comes in the form of Dragonfire. Introducing subtle country-rock flavours into the mix, the song expands the album’s sonic palette without losing the band’s identity. It’s a reminder that The Pretty Reckless are willing to explore new territory while remaining unmistakably themselves.
Moving forward, the title track stands among Dear God’s strongest moments. Dark, atmospheric and beautifully layered, it combines haunting guitar work with one of Momsen’s most captivating vocal performances to date. The result is both unsettling and compelling, perfectly capturing the album’s balance between strength and vulnerability.
The recurring pieces of Life Evermore prove to be one of the album’s smartest creative decisions, tying the record together and giving it a stronger sense of purpose than a standard collection of songs and by the time Life Evermore Pt. 1 brings things to a close, the journey feels complete.
What makes Dear God particularly enjoyable is its willingness to move between styles without ever sounding disjointed. Hard rock, acoustic balladry, darker gothic textures and hints of country all find their place here, creating an album that constantly evolves while remaining cohesive. At the centre of it all is, of course, Taylor Momsen. Her ability to move effortlessly between vulnerability and power gives Dear God its emotional weight, ensuring listeners remain invested from beginning to end.
This may not be the heaviest release in The Pretty Reckless catalogue, but it could well be one of their most adventurous. Thoughtful, diverse and emotionally engaging, it rewards repeat listens and proves that The Pretty Reckless are still finding new ways to evolve while staying true to their roots. And, more importantly, still churning out quality material to go with it.
