25 - The Pretty Reckless

The Pretty Reckless, an American rock band from New York City, composed of lead singer Taylor Momsen, lead guitarist Ben Phillips, bassist Mark Damon, and drummer Jamie Perkins. Released on the new album Death By Rock and Roll, ‘25’ is the single that changes it all for the album. The pivotal sound change of the LP. Their fourth studio album hits off with hard rock tunes, ‘Death By Rock and Roll’, ‘Only Love Can Save Me Now’ and ‘And So It Went’. 

credit: Press

The track starts with echoing guitar then delves straight into soft expressive vocals which are something slightly different from Momsen. Although Momsen is known for her hard-hitting vocal range, the idea of soft vocals in the verses makes the atmospheric instrumentation stand out as a defining feature. The softer verse juxtaposed with the heavier rock vocal heard from the chorus making each chorus more powerful, as the song progresses. “At 25, all hope has died” describes the headspace that Momsen was in at the time of the tune's creation, back in 2019 before Momsen’s 25th birthday. The way that she would describe this song is autobiographical. It is telling a narrative of the lead singer's life throughout the years, and the different events that she has faced. Although ‘25’ was written in a time of despair and latent depression, the song expresses a more reminiscent side rather than a melancholic side.

It is interesting to note that the music video for the single, plays along with the juxtaposition of the vocal alterations within the song through the use of New York City. Momsen wanted to film her music video for ‘25’ in NYC because of the obvious relationship she and the state have with one another. The video almost seems like a love letter to the city, acting as if the relationship between a man and a woman, is actually between her and the city. The juxtaposition here is the glamour of New York versus the pain and suffering that the city also experiences. 

‘25’ is a powerful rock ballad that showcases something much different from The Pretty Reckless. It is the album that shows a mature side of the band that we have not seen yet before, but is also an experimentation for the band with a new producer and almost seems like there is less to hide on this album as a whole. At age 25, the song and the album seem to be a turning point for Momsen and a light at the end of a very dull tunnel, until now. To end the song, as fitting as the song's premise and the introduction...a powerful instrumentation outro with chimes of a clock, signifying the passing of time in Momsen’s life. 

The Pretty Reckless - Death By Rock And Roll tracklist:

1. Death By Rock And Roll
2. Only Love Can Save Me Now (feat. Matt Cameron and Kim Thayil)
3. And So It Went (feat. Tom Morello)
4. 25
5. My Bones
6. Got So High
7. Broomsticks
8. Witches Burn
9. Standing At The Wall
10. Turning Gold
11. Rock And Roll Heaven
12. Harley Darling