The Pretty Reckless – Dear God
Band: The Pretty Reckless
Album: Dear God
Genre: Hard Rock
Label: Fearless Records
Review by: Blake Mossey
9/10
The Pretty Reckless have always lived in that space between hard rock, alternative rock, bluesy grit, and just enough darkness to pull in metal fans who like their music with weight behind it. They may not be a metal band in the traditional sense, but Dear God is the kind of album that still deserves attention from anyone who loves heavy emotion, strong songwriting, and a vocalist who can make even the quieter moments feel massive.
For me, the biggest reason The Pretty Reckless continue to stand out is Taylor Momsen. There are plenty of great rock vocalists out there, but Taylor’s voice hits differently. It is not just the power, although she has plenty of that. It is the emotion. There is a rawness in her delivery that feels lived-in, wounded, angry, tired, and beautiful all at once. In this style of music, no other vocalist connects with me quite the same way. When she sings, it does not feel like she is just performing the words. It feels like she is dragging them out of somewhere real.
Dear God is not as heavy as the band’s last album, and some fans may notice that right away. This record leans more into mood, atmosphere, and emotional storytelling than simply trying to hit hard from start to finish. That does not mean it lacks power. It just works differently. The heaviness here is often more spiritual and emotional than purely sonic. There are moments where the guitars crush, but there are also moments where the weight comes from Taylor’s voice alone.
That said, the heavier tracks are still where the album hits hardest for me. “For I Am Death” is one of the immediate standouts, bringing that darker edge that The Pretty Reckless do so well. It has the kind of sinister energy that makes the band feel dangerous without sounding forced. “When I Wake Up” is another favorite, and it shows how good this band can be when they mix hooky hard rock with a darker emotional pull. It has enough punch to satisfy fans looking for the heavier side of the band, but it still carries the emotional weight that runs through the whole album.
Photo credit: dpa picture alliance / Alamy
The title track, “Dear God,” sits at the heart of the record both musically and thematically. It feels like a plea, a confession, and a confrontation all at once. The Pretty Reckless have always been good at writing songs that sound personal without becoming overly polished or safe, and this one captures that balance well. It is not just about being loud. It is about sounding honest.
Across the album, the band seems more interested in creating a journey than simply stacking up radio rock singles. Some tracks are more immediate, while others take more time to sink in. That may make Dear God a little less instantly heavy or explosive than some listeners expect, but it also gives the album more room to breathe. The quieter and slower moments allow Taylor’s voice to become the main instrument, and that is where the album often finds its strongest identity.
The Pretty Reckless are more hard rock than metal, but that has never bothered me. A great voice, a great song, and real emotion matter more than genre labels. Dear God may not be their heaviest album, but it is still a powerful one. It shows a band willing to grow without completely abandoning what made people connect with them in the first place.
For fans who want the heavier side of The Pretty Reckless, “For I Am Death” and “When I Wake Up” are the obvious highlights. For fans who are drawn to Taylor Momsen’s voice and emotional delivery, the whole album has plenty to offer. Dear God is dark, heartfelt, and at times haunting, carried by one of the most distinctive vocalists in modern hard rock.
Band: The Pretty Reckless
Album: Dear God
Genre: Hard Rock
Label: Fearless Records
Review by: Blake Mossey
The Pretty Reckless have always lived in that space between hard rock, alternative rock, bluesy grit, and just enough darkness to pull in metal fans who like their music with weight behind it. They may not be a metal band in the traditional sense, but Dear God is the kind of album that still deserves attention from anyone who loves heavy emotion, strong songwriting, and a vocalist who can make even the quieter moments feel massive.
For me, the biggest reason The Pretty Reckless continue to stand out is Taylor Momsen. There are plenty of great rock vocalists out there, but Taylor’s voice hits differently. It is not just the power, although she has plenty of that. It is the emotion. There is a rawness in her delivery that feels lived-in, wounded, angry, tired, and beautiful all at once. In this style of music, no other vocalist connects with me quite the same way. When she sings, it does not feel like she is just performing the words. It feels like she is dragging them out of somewhere real.
Dear God is not as heavy as the band’s last album, and some fans may notice that right away. This record leans more into mood, atmosphere, and emotional storytelling than simply trying to hit hard from start to finish. That does not mean it lacks power. It just works differently. The heaviness here is often more spiritual and emotional than purely sonic. There are moments where the guitars crush, but there are also moments where the weight comes from Taylor’s voice alone.
That said, the heavier tracks are still where the album hits hardest for me. “For I Am Death” is one of the immediate standouts, bringing that darker edge that The Pretty Reckless do so well. It has the kind of sinister energy that makes the band feel dangerous without sounding forced. “When I Wake Up” is another favorite, and it shows how good this band can be when they mix hooky hard rock with a darker emotional pull. It has enough punch to satisfy fans looking for the heavier side of the band, but it still carries the emotional weight that runs through the whole album.
The title track, “Dear God,” sits at the heart of the record both musically and thematically. It feels like a plea, a confession, and a confrontation all at once. The Pretty Reckless have always been good at writing songs that sound personal without becoming overly polished or safe, and this one captures that balance well. It is not just about being loud. It is about sounding honest.
Across the album, the band seems more interested in creating a journey than simply stacking up radio rock singles. Some tracks are more immediate, while others take more time to sink in. That may make Dear God a little less instantly heavy or explosive than some listeners expect, but it also gives the album more room to breathe. The quieter and slower moments allow Taylor’s voice to become the main instrument, and that is where the album often finds its strongest identity.
The Pretty Reckless are more hard rock than metal, but that has never bothered me. A great voice, a great song, and real emotion matter more than genre labels. Dear God may not be their heaviest album, but it is still a powerful one. It shows a band willing to grow without completely abandoning what made people connect with them in the first place.
For fans who want the heavier side of The Pretty Reckless, “For I Am Death” and “When I Wake Up” are the obvious highlights. For fans who are drawn to Taylor Momsen’s voice and emotional delivery, the whole album has plenty to offer. Dear God is dark, heartfelt, and at times haunting, carried by one of the most distinctive vocalists in modern hard rock.