The Pretty Reckless have announced a new studio album and an international tour for 2026.
The band, fronted by Taylor Momsen, will release Dear God on 26 June 2026. The record marks their first album since 2021’s Death By Rock And Roll and will be supported by a major tour across North America, Europe and the UK.
The upcoming album will include the 2025 single For I Am Death along with a newly released track titled When I Wake Up.
Taylor Momsen says releasing the album feels “bizarre”
Speaking to Rock 95.5 in Chicago, Momsen described the unusual feeling of preparing to release music she has kept private for months.
“It’s always a bizarre feeling. Because it’s not out yet, so it’s not fully not mine yet, if that makes sense. But I know that I’m about to be giving it away, so it’s always a very bizarre feeling, but it’s mostly just incredible excitement.”
She added that she had been holding the news of the album’s release date for some time.
“I’m so proud of this album and I’m so happy that people know it’s coming now. ‘Cause that’s been a secret that I’ve been holding on to, so it feels nice to let that go.”
Momsen also explained how the announcement changes the relationship between artist and audience.
“Because I know all the inner workings of everything, but the world doesn’t, so it feels great that it is finally out in the world and there’s an definitive date where you guys can all listen to it.”
New single When I Wake Up explores darker themes
Momsen also discussed the inspiration behind the new single When I Wake Up, which she said carries personal meaning.
“When I Wake Up is kind of… I think we all know the story, right? Don’t we all know the story of what When I Wake Up is trying to say here? I have no idea where I was last night.”
She described the song as reflecting on experiences that can shift between fun and darker moments.
“It’s a song that kind of goes through a series of nights and time of kind of waking up and not knowing exactly what happened.”
The singer added that the track touches on the idea of trying to escape through decisions that may not always be wise.
“It’s trying to escape by using something, something outside of yourself that not necessarily is — it maybe isn’t the greatest decision.”
New music arriving after years of touring
The band have spent the past several years touring extensively, including supporting AC/DC on the road.
Momsen said performing the same catalogue while holding onto unreleased songs created a growing urge to share the new material.
“I’m really psyched on it, and I can’t wait to start playing it live. It’s very exciting releasing new music, especially when you’ve had it in your pocket for so long.”
She added that the band are looking forward to finally adding new tracks to their live set.
“We’ve been out with AC/DC for a long time now and continually playing old material, which I love and it’s fantastic. But when you have all these new songs that are living inside my own head, you just wanna get ’em out.”
Dear God will be the band’s fifth studio album and their first new project in five years when it arrives in June 2026.
