Pretty Sick’s Whimsical Take on “Headliner”
Angelique Persails
Indie rock band native to New York City, Pretty Sick experiments with their sound in their new single, “Headliner.” Following their first single of the year, “Streetwise” featuring xmal, Pretty Sick displays their complexity and fearlessness towards a new direction from their previous rock sound which leaned heavily on bass, guitar and drums.
Photo by Richie Lee Davis
Vocalist Sabrina Feuntes’ punchy vocals removed from their typical grunge sound enchants the audience by layering her voice to create a whimsical sound. Backed by a dreamy electronic track, “Headliner” shows Pretty Sick’s ability to bend towards a more ambient and poppy genre.
The chorus of “Headliner” is reminiscent of The Temper Trap’s song “Sweet Disposition” from their 2009 album Conditions which further adds to Pretty Sick’s transition into an era of early dream-pop with modern electronic influence.
One liner lyrics such as “I stretch my arms out. I stare out at bright lit streets. I take my top off. I open my heart and chest,” create a fresh and light dynamic between the instrumental and vocals. Fuentes’ delivery of each lyric adds to the atmosphere of the track and creates a catchy, memorable sound to the track.
The last minute and a half of the song breaks down into a dream-like outro which distorts Fuentes’ vocals and layers them in a surreal fashion which blends seamlessly with the production of the track.
The last album released in 2022 by Pretty Sick Makes Me Sick Makes Me Smile cemented their indie and grunge rock sound. However, with Pretty Sick’s 2024 releases defying their previous work, anticipation grows for what comes next as Pretty Sick continues to evolve and grow as artists.
