Toronto psych band Pretty return on 15 May with ‘Great Work,’ the second single from their forthcoming album.

The song marks a shift for the band. It’s inspired by alchemy, the philosopher’s stone and magick, but it does not get lost in the clouds. It’s about trying to improve yourself, again and again, even when the process is messy. The track moves through changing time signatures and builds towards a bright, hopeful finish.

Pretty formed in 2015 around vocalist and guitarist Torin Craig. In the beginning, they were much rougher, with roots in grunge and hardcore. The name Pretty was meant as a joke against that abrasive sound, but it stayed. Craig also stayed, guiding the band through different line-ups and sounds.

The current line-up came together in 2021: Craig, guitarist and keyboardist Eliot Rossi, bassist William Macquarrie and drummer Morgan Zych. Their 2020 debut album ‘Sertraline Dream’ helped put them on the map in Toronto’s psych scene, especially through their live shows. Since then, they have toured across the UK and North America, and shared bills with The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Budos Band, Improvement Movement and Delicate Steve.

‘Great Work’ arrives with an official video and points to a band still changing. The new album also features Brian Heyes on keyboards and synths. He is no longer a full-time member, but he played an important role in the recording and will join the band for selected Canadian live dates.

Pretty have always sounded like a band in motion… ‘Great Work’ keeps that feeling alive: heavier, stranger, more focused, and still reaching for something just out of sight.

Headline photo: Liv Brolley & Parker Wales

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Pretty