ARTIST: THE PRETTY RECKLESS
ALBUM: DEAR GOD
RELEASE DATE: JUNE 26TH 2026
LABEL: FEARLESS RECORDS
REVIEWER: HAYLEY TREADWELL (REAL WOMAN REAL REVIEW)
I have been a fan of The Pretty Reckless for a long time now! I listen to and love all of their albums, and I have a playlist of my favourite songs that I love to put on and rock out to, especially in the car! And with the upcoming release of their 5th studio album, I think I am going to have to start taking longer drives because I’m pretty sure I’ll be adding this entire album to my Pretty Reckless favourites list!
The story behind this album is a great one. Frontwoman Taylor Momsen told her agent she wasn’t touring and that she needed to get this album out and record it, no interruptions, unless it was something huge like AC/DC calling, don’t bother picking up the phone.
The band entered the studio and began recording the new songs, which Momsen described as “effortless” in the beginning, she said it was the easiest record they had made and that “the songs play themselves”. And then, AC/DC called. Followed by The Rolling Stones.
And really, how do you say no? What an honour and what an adventure! I have to wonder whether that break, and those opening shows for unmistakable rock royalty, gave The Pretty Reckless just a little more edge, adding to the overall finished product that is Dear God.
This album is incredible, the songs are amazing, the production is impeccable, and I just want to keep it on repeat, where it has been for days here! It is most definitely their best work to date and you can really hear the growth of Momsen, guitarist Ben Phillips and Jonathan Wyman’s collaboration and the love they poured into the production of Dear God.
The thing that keeps coming back to me with each listen is just how real and authentic this album feels. To me, Taylor Momsen has really levelled up in confidence not only in the lyrics and her songwriting, but more so in the way she delivers them. Her vocals are raw, and I’m so thrilled the unmistakable grit in her voice, (reminiscent of a female Chris Cornell), has been left seemingly untouched in the mix on this album.
Momsen has referred to this album as her greatest accomplishment, a very confessional outpouring, almost her letter to God and a search for salvation, with songs straight from the words in Momsen’s diary. In one interview she said, “To share so much of myself with the world is going to be an interesting feeling.”
And I have to say Taylor, I hope that feeling is amazing and wonderful and fills you with pride over and over again.
I will always be grateful for real, authentic, genuine storytellers in music. The bravery and fierceness it takes to share your life through music allows fans to find connection and process their own feelings about their own lives, this is what great music is about and The Pretty Reckless have delivered.
And with that thought in mind, let’s get into ‘Dear God’.
I absolutely love an interlude on an album, and the Life Evermore pieces on Dear God feel purposefully placed to create a story within the story, even though they are seemingly out of order, they somehow each fit perfectly, showing just how much care and attention has gone into the production of Dear God.
The first single, For I Am Death, was the perfect introduction after a four-year hiatus since the band’s last rock album. Exploring themes of mortality and darkness, things The Pretty Reckless are all too familiar with, there also seems to be healing woven throughout the song. This song give us a great sneak peak of what to expect from this album and proved a worthy first single off the album, hitting Number 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.
When I Wake Up instantly became a favourite of mine. It’s fun, punchy and rock and roll to its very core. I get Joan Jett vibes from it, with a little bit of Australia’s own Sarah McLeod thrown in, that funky, slightly pissed-off energy that makes you want to turn the volume up, and deservingly so, this song has given The Pretty Reckless their 9th Billboard Number 1. Congratulations!!
Songs like Love Me deliver moments that are hauntingly beautiful in their sadness, while Dragonfire showcases some stunning melodies, particularly in the bridge. The title track, Dear God, feels like one of the album’s biggest moments, challenging faith and asking difficult questions without necessarily offering easy answers.
As we reach the 2nd interlude, the theme begins to shift and the songs that follow seem to explore the balance between loving others and learning to love yourself.
About You carries an angry grit that I absolutely love. Whatever emotions Momsen was channeling here, I can feel every bit of them. Then there is Spell On You, which brought back those witchy vibes I had almost been missing. The keyboards in the chorus are essential to the vibe of the song, and the bridge only adds to its magic. It is easily my favourite song on the album. Get your voodoo dolls and crystal balls out, witches!
The incredible production continues throughout songs like Rollercoaster of Life, the guitars and drums at the beginning, making it impossible not to pay attention to this song, and then the lyrics hit and we are swept up in a beautiful journey.
One of the songs that hit me hardest was Eye of the Storm. It feels like a story of survival and the questions we ask ourselves about love and loss. Why are we still here when others aren’t? Beneath the strong front we present to the world, there are often storms raging within us and this song captures that beautifully.
Devil In Disguise (Michelle’s Song) is another deeply emotional moment Momsen shares with us on this album, written following the loss of her friend Michelle Trachtenberg, it feels like a beautiful tribute to a shining star and another song deeply entrenched in the grief and love that have impacted this album.
Then comes Dark Days, which for me feels like acceptance. Dark days are always coming, that’s life, but it’s how we move through them that matters. Filled with themes of mortality, faith, witchery and wonder, this song somehow leaves me feeling hopeful. Perhaps it’s the almost hymn-like parts of the song, or the lyrics reminding us to hold the line, stay strong and keep moving forward regardless of what lies ahead.
The final interlude, closing out the journey of this album with powerful words, ‘I don’t want to be fooled or surprised by life anymore – my life evermore’. Perhaps a final request or question to god about life, love, mortality and a pleading for peace and happiness.
But then I have to wonder, if we put the interludes in order, does the album still tell the same story? A question I would love to ask Taylor Momsen one day.
Momsen has talked of playing this album live front to back – and even though she indicated to the fans they would of course do more than that – I myself would enjoy that show so much, including the interludes.
I said it earlier in this review and I will keep saying it; I really believe this is The Pretty Reckless’ best album yet. The band is tight, the sound is big and again, so authentic! Real instruments, not overly tuned, Taylor Momsen at her lyrical and vocal best, all in all this album is the epitome of what a Rock ‘N’ Roll album should be! So far, for 2026, this is my pick for Album of the Year!
To the amazing folks at Dallas Does PR thank you for the opportunity to review this great work of art, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know this album.
My deepest gratitude to The Pretty Reckless for the gift of this beautiful and authentic rock album, I believe you caught ‘Lightening in a bottle’ with this one. I would really love to rock out with The Pretty Reckless here in Australia very soon, but until then, I can’t wait to get my Vinyl on release day!
Until the next review
Hayley
