Pleaser

Description

Iconic figures of the Washington D.C. DIY scene, Pretty Bitter lives up to its name. Masters of dissonance in all its forms, they juxtapose tales of horror and heartbreak with dazzling pop-rock arrangements. Pretty Bitter creates music that makes young emo kids dance. They don't hesitate to infuse their explosive breakdowns with disco and synthpop touches—and that's precisely what they've done on Pleaser, their second album, co-produced by Evan Weiss (Into It.Over It., Pet Symmetry) and Simon Small (Strawberry Boy), set for release on July 25, 2025, via the cult indie label Tiny Engines. After a series of ethereal singles, their debut album, Hinges, released in 2022, officially introduced Pretty Bitter and their dreampunk sound to a growing audience. Boldly led by Mel Bleker, Pretty Bitter has won the hearts of DIY fans worldwide. On Pleaser, Pretty Bitter has intensified the dramatic side of their lush arrangements, a perfect match for the emotional force of Bleker's lyrics. "If everything is there, nothing is embarrassing," they sigh on "I Hope You Do," brilliantly playing the line between the intimate and the universal, carried by bright, sparkling synths. In the striking closing track, "Outer Heaven," Bleker sings: "Time is not a lover as it likes to play / I'm getting older, I pay every debt / Time is not a bandage as you always say / I will never let myself be abandoned like that again." Their writing, both intuitive and sincere, is as natural as their ability to navigate effortlessly between the dreamy, crystalline sounds of rock, pop, and folk. Pleaser is a triumph, an immediately endearing album that reveals Pretty Bitter's full potential.