Pretty Words’ slow-building, skatting style shines in self-titled LP

Philly indie four-piece Pretty Words‘ not-too-far-back release of their groovin’ single, “Hole,” had me hooked at first listen. The band recently shared the six other tracks on their self-titled release, pretty words, and similar to the single, they find their niche in slow-building, warped dissonance and passionately-mumbled, conversational lyrics.

pretty words gives nods to a sort of mature garage-rock jam sesh, whose drawn-out riffs and stream of consciousness scatting gives off both thoughtful and authentic vibes. By pretty much kicking most normative song structures to the curb, you never know how or what the song will gradually build into, which keeps you hanging on to each new instrumental addition.

Track “what dave says” stands out with a sweet kick drum/guitar riff duo–later melting into a distorted, spacey-synth dream. “pink sand” is more confessional and lyric-focused than the rest of the bunch, immediately beginning with lines, “I wish I had a god to sing to / I’d thank them for your smile;” and closing track “minute” mixes their funky, avant-garde style with a slightly more structured song format.

Pretty Words will be playing a show at Temple’s Howard Gittis Student Center on April 7th, alongside bands Hass and Kidz. More info can be found at the Facebook event page. Slow jam to Pretty Words’ self titled album below.