Next show: New York City, Wed 21 Apr
Mainstays of the D.C. DIY scene, Pretty Bitter live up to their name. Masters of all kinds of dissonance, they juxtapose stories of haunting and heartbreak with dazzling pop-rock arrangements. Pretty Bitter make music that gets the emo kids dancing. They’re unafraid to infuse their blistering breakdowns with hits of disco and synthpop—and that’s exactly what they’ve done on Pleaser, their sophomore album, co-produced by Evan Weiss (Into It. Over It., Pet Symmetry) and Simon Small (Strawberry Boy) and out July 25th, 2025 via cult favorite indie label Tiny Engines. Fearlessly led by Mel Bleker and sharing members with D.C. punk all-stars Ekko Astral, Pretty Bitter has been embraced by DIY fans far and wide. On Pleaser, Pretty Bitter have amped up the drama of their lush arrangements—a match made in heaven for the emotional ferocity of Bleker’s lyricism. “If everything is out there, nothing’s embarrassing,” they sigh on “I Hope You Do,” expertly toeing the line between the personal and the universal over bright, bubbling synths. Their observational, heart-on-sleeve songwriting is as effortless as their flittering between the jangly, dreamy inclinations of rock, pop, and folk. Pleaser is a triumph, and instantly loveable record that reveals just how bright Pretty Bitter’s future is. —Grace Robins-Somerville
New Pretty Bitter dates land in the app first
Follow once and we’ll tell you when a new date is announced.
Pretty Bitter plays a dynamic blend of emo, dream pop, and synth-pop anchored in the Washington, D.C. DIY scene and released via Tiny Engines. Follow Pretty Bitter on Mood.
Pretty Bitter released their sophomore album, Pleaser, in July 2025.
Pretty Bitter is a five-piece band based in Washington, D.C.
