Review by Jack Arkell

A change of sound brings improvement for the New York quartet.

There is something infectious about the music that Die Pretty have shared with us in the form of this four track EP. ‘The time is right, destination in our sight’ vocalist Sarah Orloff sings, as we are encouraged to pack a few essentials as we travel to a world where we aren’t looked down on for enjoying the contagious choruses and addictive hooks that ‘Battle over Brooklyn’ contains.

Opener ‘Voices’ rivals any pop-rock band currently enjoying mainstream radio airtime, and whilst the lyrical content is comparable to that of 2009’s ‘Bittersweet’, the track is a signal of intent as the New York band show a more melodic side to their music. So delectable is the first track of the EP, it takes a few more plays until you feel ready to move onto the second song, ‘Let Me Out!!’ which has echoes of fellow American pop punk acts as New Found Glory, replicating the format of the opening track, with another ear-friendly refrain, followed by a very competent guitar solo towards the tail end of the song.

‘7^th Avenue’ begins as a more stripped back affair, Sarah’s vocals competing with fewer instruments and sounding even more impressive in this environment. The track gathers pace though, and before too long ‘Medicated Nation’ has ascended onto your speakers. Featuring some of the stronger lyrics on ‘Battle Over Brooklyn’, the EP bows out with this ode to all that is sedatives and stimulants. ‘It controls your soul, without it you fall to pieces’ sings Sarah, the essence of drugs laid over more perfectly crafted instrumental work, providing the short collection’s finest moment.    

Sure, a female fronted pop-rock band is far from original, but Die Pretty make up for this with very listenable bites of radio friendly rock which are good enough to keep them afloat in a hugely saturated market. A change in direction from their 2009 record shows that they are far from a one trick pony, and are able to release a body of diverse material rather than a collection of one dimensional songs, which makes them deserving of your time.