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Pretty Bitter

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Pretty Bitter
Pretty Bitter in 2023. From left to right: Tyler, Bleker, Hayes, Smith.
Pretty Bitter in 2023. From left to right: Tyler, Bleker, Hayes, Smith.
Background information
OriginWashington, D.C.
Genres
Years active2017 (2017)–present
Labels
MembersEm Bleker
Miri Tyler
Jason Hayes
Kira Campbell
Liam Hughes
Past membersStephen Rodriguez
Chris Smith
Zack Be

Pretty Bitter is a five-piece indie synth pop band based in Washington, D.C. Their third full-length album, Pleaser, is scheduled for release on July 25, 2025 via Tiny Engines.[1]

History

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Pretty Bitter was formed in Washington, D.C. after a creative partnership formed between Em Bleker and Miri Tyler in 2017.[2][3] Initially known as Nah., the musical project later became Pretty Bitter and released their debut album, Patchwork, in 2019 via Blössom Records.[4] Patchwork is characterized as indie pop and was praised for its singles "Fractal" and "Play Nice". During this period, Pretty Bitter developed a local following and performed with notable bands such as The Ophelias and Sunflower Bean.[2]

The production of their second full-length album, Hinges, was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.[2][3] The album began as a series of demos that were recorded remotely due to social distancing measures. These measures also resulted in many revisions for lyrics on some songs, due to Bleker's struggles in writing while isolated from people.[5] Hinges was released on June 24, 2022 via Blössom Records. To celebrate the album, Pretty Bitter played a record release concert at Comet Ping Pong on July 1.[2][6][7] Compared to their previous album, Hinges is considered more synth pop, while also embracing styles such as grunge, indie folk, shoegaze,[2] pop punk, indie rock,[6] and power pop.[3] The album's songs included a number of themes centering topics such as mental illness, identity, and relationships. Hinges received positive reviews with one critic calling it a "ten track masterpiece", praising its catchy songs and high level of musicianship.[2] The Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) named Pretty Bitter's Hinges as Best Pop Album and the song "The Damn Thing Is Cursed" as Best Pop Song in the 2023 Wammie Music Awards.[8]

In February 2024, Pretty Bitter released a new single "Roadkill".[9][10] Later that year, Pretty Bitter teamed with Washington, D.C. rock band Flowerbomb to release the split EP Take Me Out on August 1, 2024.[11] The album comprises five songs, with two original songs from each band and a final, collaborative song written and performed by both groups.[10] The album is characterized by genres such as emo, indie rock, alt rock, indie pop,[12] and dream pop.[11] Take Me Out received positive reviews, with several critics noting the complementary pairing of Pretty Bitter and Flowerbomb and the spotlighting of the bands' respective talents.[10][11][12] The Washington City Paper named Take Me Out as "Best Sonic Pairing" for its Best of D.C.™ 2024: Arts & Entertainment list.[13]

Pretty Bitter performing at Liberation Weekend in 2025.

Pretty Bitter has used their music to aid in various activist efforts.[14] In January 2025, Pretty Bitter joined local Washington D.C. musicians (such as Dorinda, Pinky Lemon, Flower Bomb, Massie, and Spring Silver) to participate in Mosh Madness, a DIY music festival and charity basketball tournament that raised money for the non-profit Palestine Children's Relief Fund.[15] In March of the same year, they played at the third annual My Body My Festival hosted by Songbyrd Music House, raising money for the DC Abortion Fund.[16] Pretty Bitter contributed one song (titled, "The Catalog") to a compilation album (Plenty Happening) that featured tracks from 27 Washington D.C. bands/artists. The album was released on May 9, 2025 with all proceeds benefiting gender affirming care at the Whitman-Walker Health community health center.[17][18] Pretty Bitter also performed at Liberation Weekend in May 2025, a music and arts festival that raised money for transgender activism via the non-profit organization, Gender Liberation Movement.[19][20]

In May 2025, Pretty Bitter announced their next full-length album Pleaser, to be released July 7, 2025 via Tiny Engines. The announcement coincided with the release of the single "Thrill Eater" along with an accompanying music video.[1] "Thrill Eater" was featured on that week's Pitchfork Selects Playlist.[21] A second single from the album, "Outer Heaven Dude Ranch", was released in June with an accompanying music video.[22]

Style and influences

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Pretty Bitter has referred to themselves as a "psychedelic synth pop gumball machine"[2] and their style as "queer alternative emo dream pop-ish".[10] Their sound spans multiple genres, often mixing and matching styles that include synth pop, grunge, indie folk, shoegaze, and others. Their albums are often characterized by distorted instrumentation, prominent baselines, multi-layered vocals, guitar breakdowns, and catchy lyrics.[2][10] Lyrics tend to be emotional, inspired by personal topics such as mental disorders (depression, body dysmorphia, trauma, eating disorders), queer identity, and family.[2][3][7]

Pretty bitter has also referred to themselves as "the new queer Richard Linklater movie you've never heard of."[2] They cite other media inspirations including A24 movies (such as Hereditary and Midsommar) and the TV series Station Eleven.[5]

Members

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Current members

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  • Em Bleker – lead vocals (2017–present)[2]
  • Miri Tyler – bass, vocals (2017–present)[2]
  • Jason Hayes – drums[2]
  • Kira Campbell – guitar (2025–present)[23]
  • Liam Hughes – keyboard (2025–present)[24]

Past members

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  • Stephen Rodriguez – drums[4]
  • Chris Smith – guitar (2017–2025)[23]
  • Zack Be – keyboard, multiple instrumentation (2017–2025)[25]

Discography

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Full-Length albums

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  • Patchwork (2019)[2]
  • Hinges (2022)[2]
  • Pleaser (2025)[1]

EPs

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Works cited

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  1. ^ a b c Breihan, Tom (3 June 2025). "Pretty Bitter – "Outer Heaven Dude Ranch"". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 4 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Stephenson, Becky (23 June 2022). "Album Review: Pretty Bitter – Hinges". New Noise Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d Nyczepir, Dave (4 April 2023). "Pretty Bitter Invites You to Dance While You Cry". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Blossöm Records – Pretty Bitter". Blossöm Records. 26 January 2019. Archived from the original on 16 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  5. ^ a b Kelly, Chris (29 June 2022). "Pretty Bitter draws inspiration from the music of movies and TV". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  6. ^ a b Francois, Emma; Goldstone, Simone; Marloff, Sarah; Jacobson, Louis (30 June 2022). "The Art of Banksy, Goodbye Near Northeast, and More Best Bets for June 30 – July 6". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  7. ^ a b Rodrigues-Oliveira, Mela (30 June 2022). "Enthusiastically Frustrated: Pretty Bitter Talks about Queer Identity + New Album "Hinges"". District Fray Magazine. Archived from the original on 20 April 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  8. ^ Washington Area Music Association (1 January 2024). "Wammie Music Awards 2023". Wammies. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  9. ^ Zets, Serena; Marloff, Sarah; Smart, Christina; Kennedy, Colleen; Segall, Dora; Ruckle, Taylor (14 February 2024). "Beats Me: Album Reviews for February Releases". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  10. ^ a b c d e Mandell, Tyler (27 June 2024). "pretty bitter's "roadkill" explodes with energy and style". Imperfect Fifth. Archived from the original on 12 October 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  11. ^ a b c d Wetherbee, Brandon; Smart, Christina; Marloff, Sarah; Kennedy, Colleen (19 July 2024). "Beats Me: Punk Legends Release Debut, Pinky Lemon Serve Shoegaze, and a Split EP From Two Prolific Bands". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on 19 July 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  12. ^ a b Staff (19 August 2024). "Pressing Concerns: BBsitters Club, Pretty Bitter & Flowerbomb, Lindsay Reamer, Obscuress". Rosy Overdrive. Archived from the original on 19 August 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  13. ^ Marloff, Sarah; Staff (13 July 2024). "Best of D.C.™ 2024: Arts & Entertainment". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on 1 August 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  14. ^ Ruckle, Taylor (13 March 2025). "Local Trans Artists Are Fighting Back Against the Trump Administration. Here's How You Can Help". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on 13 March 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  15. ^ Ruckle, Taylor (13 January 2025). "At Mosh Madness, a Slam Dunk for Local Music and Community". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on 15 January 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  16. ^ Goldchain, Michelle (27 February 2025). "Things to do in the DC area: Mardi Gras events, DC Black History Film Festival … and more!". WTOP. Archived from the original on 12 March 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  17. ^ Wei, Lydia (6 May 2025). "A New DC-Music Compilation Features Big Bands Supporting Trans Health Care". Washingtonian. Archived from the original on 6 May 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  18. ^ Plenty Happening (9 May 2025). "Plenty Happening: a DC Compilation". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on 15 May 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  19. ^ Robins-Somerville, Grace (4 June 2025). "Liberation Weekend: The Trans Punk DIY Music Festival That Could Spark a Movement". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 5 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  20. ^ Campbell, Caleb (2 June 2025). "DC's Trans Rights Festival Liberation Weekend Brought An Urgent DIY Spirit To The Fore". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 2 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  21. ^ Staff (12 May 2025). "Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band, Fiona Apple, and More: This Week's Pitchfork Selects Playlist". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 12 May 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  22. ^ Moore, Em (5 June 2025). "Pretty Bitter: "Outer Heaven Dude Ranch"". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on 5 June 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  23. ^ a b Pretty Bitter [@prettybitter.mp3]; (2 January 2025). "Chris Smith departure & Kira joining". Archived from the original on 10 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025 – via Instagram.
  24. ^ Pretty Bitter [@prettybitter.mp3]; (16 May 2025). "Liam Hughes announcement". Archived from the original on 10 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025 – via Instagram.
  25. ^ Pretty Bitter [@prettybitter.mp3]; (16 March 2025). "Zack Be departure". Archived from the original on 10 June 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2025 – via Instagram.
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