Off the back of a year filled with relentless touring and multiple sold-out headliners, Naarm/Melbourne favourites, The Pretty Littles return with their seventh studio album, ‘Force’ – the band’s first in five years. Entering 2024 at a crossroads, the future of the band was uncertain after changes in the core line up that had seen them through six records and countless Australian tours. Rather than calling it quits, they emerged reinvigorated, determined to light a firecracker in this next chapter, even if it killed them.
Described as “a real bastard to make”, ‘Force’ is the result of over a year of line-up changes and gruelling late nights spent alongside producer and long-time mate Greg Rietwyk (Press Club). The record welcomes new band members – and equally long-time mates – Sam, Liam and JP of Melbourne outfit Neighbourhood Youth, whose sonic chemistry is a heavenly elevation for the wry wit and golden charm of frontman Jack Parsons. Long admirers of their respective projects long before this collaboration, the decision to revive The Pretty Littles when all hope seemed lost made almost too much sense.
“To have Sam, JP & Liam’s input, ideas and voices, playing on these songs is a dream come true,” expresses Jack. “We chipped away at the album with Greg over many, many months doing a day here and there. The actual recording was strange – finishing a songs as we were recording them, fucking around with structures and having JP come in to record drums in the arvo after work. Wild to see it all come together and how good Greg made it all sound.”
Blending elements of heartland folk with emo-fuelled garage rock, ‘Force’ is a dynamic exploration that keeps you guessing with every riff, yet if there’s one constant, it’s that not one word is spoken without raw sincerity. Focus track Possum announces the arrival of the band’s new formation, with a howling group chorus that leaves echoes throughout the entire record, while the album’s title-track delivers a scathing commentary on police brutality.
Seven minute epic and future contender for The Great Australian Songbook, Australian Dream dissects tight-lipped suburban trauma in a manner that would earn a nod from some of music’s greatest poets. With drummer JP recording his parts last – jetlagged from a flight from the US and having never heard the song – the completion of Australian Dream is a testament to the workhorse nature of this band.
“Australian Dream took that long to write, I honestly didn’t think it would get finished. It became an exercise that I kept coming back to,” confesses Jack. “My mindset was less about releasing it and more like, imagine if I found a way to arrange and complete this puzzle. I’m a big believer in jumping and the net appearing… something good always tends to happen.”
To celebrate the release, the band will head out on a national tour with headline shows in Sydney, Fremantle and Brisbane before bringing it home to Melbourne’s iconic Corner Hotel. Under the same lights that have shone on industry greats like Paul Kelly and David Hasselhoff, this hometown show promises to be the most grandiose performance in Littles history.
‘FORCE’ National Tour
March 27 – The Servo, Port Kembla NSW
March 28 – King Street, Newcastle NSW
March 29 – Marrickville Bowlo, Sydney NSW
April 4 – Mojos, Fremantle WA
April 5 – The Cranker, Adelaide SA
April 11 – The Brightside, Brisbane QLD
April 12 – Bangalow Bowlo, Bangalow NSW
April 17 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne VIC
April 19 – SLSC, Torquay VIC
With thanks to Habit Music
