Pleasure Pill: Your New Favorite Indie Obsession
Photo by Andrew Howard
Pleasure Pill, a five-piece band emerging from San Diego’s vibrant indie scene, has been steadily building momentum in the underground landscape. But with the release of their debut album, Hang a Star, they’ve officially stepped into the spotlight. Known for their lush guitar textures and emotionally-charged songwriting, the band blends shimmering Britpop influences with a distinctly American indie-rock sound. The result is a sound that feels both familiar and fresh, nostalgic in tone yet undeniably forward-looking. Coming in at ten tracks, Hang a Star is a timeless, emotionally-rich collection of songs that captures the nuance of longing, hope, and self-discovery. It’s a bold and confident debut that not only showcases the band’s musical identity but firmly positions Pleasure Pill as one of the most promising new acts in the indie-rock landscape.
Pleasure Pill has undeniable echoes of 90’s Britpop sound (think Suede, The Verve, and even a hint of Oasis) but marries this sound with the gritty indie-rock noise of more recent acts. This combination works incredibly well, creating a sound that appeals to a wide audience, but still feels personal. The tone is set immediately in the album opener, “Favorite Color Gold”, full of jangly guitars and airy vocals. With a distinct rhythm section and a chorus that practically begs to be sung along to, this is a perfect track to drive around with the windows down to this summer!
Lyrically, Hang a Star flips between earnest yearning and introspection, but doesn’t indulge in irony or obscurity. Instead, there’s a clear emotional architecture in how each track is crafted and rooted in truth. The second track, “So Long” is a more mid-tempoed ballad, full of shimmery guitar work underlining the song’s message of how although letting go may not always be a choice, it can still be beautiful. In contrast, “Not Giving Up” has a more anthemic feel to it, with a strong undertone of optimism. These moments, equally raw and radiant, are what give Hang a Star its musical power. One of the most impressive aspects of Hang a Star is the album’s sequencing. Each track resembles a chapter in the broader narrative of the album and feels deliberately placed. It’s clear that Pleasure Pill didn’t just write ten strong songs, but arranged them to tell a story and create an immersive listening experience.
Right now, Pleasure Pill is supporting fellow indie-rock band Benches on their tour, and is sure to be an incredible live show. If the songs on Hang a Star are any indication of how the band sounds live, this tour is definitely going to be special! These songs seem to be meant for a collective audience, and will bloom in shared spaces! Pleasure Pill has clearly taken their time to craft something meaningful, and invites listeners into their musical world. In an era where a lot of music feels algorithm-driven with fleeting, surface-level sound, Hang a Star reminds us of the storytelling power of a full-length album.
