Song You Need: Pretty V’s “OBAMA” is like a roller coaster that only goes up

The FADER’s “Songs You Need” are the tracks we can’t stop playing. Check back every day for new music and follow along on our Spotify playlist.

A few years ago, Wakefield, England's Pretty V popped up making music under the names v7backin2007 and Voldy Moyo. There was a demo quality to his knotty, often personal songs. His rough vocal takes sounded like iPhone voice memos used to store as lyrics came to him. Sometimes, you could even hear the wind rustling the microphone. But you don’t get a sense of urgency from Pretty V’s voice—he tries to remain distant and measured on even the sweetest-sounding beats. On Forever, his upcoming album, Pretty V isn’t afraid to get all up in your face. Premiering today on The FADER is the project’s second single, “OBAMA” and a glitchy video shot and edited by Bobby Ingham. Forever drops September 14.

On “OBAMA,” Pretty V’s bouncing off the walls with energy. It’s produced by Donnie Katana, whose hazy production recalls some of Pi’erre Bourne’s more atmospheric beats. But Pretty V’s twitchy stop-start flow and punchy vocals keep the song perpetually off-balance. He rushes through bars headfirst, focusing on making things hit as hard as possible before anything else. The whole song is building toward an explosive breaking point that’s always just out of reach. It’s like riding a roller coaster that only goes up.

Pretty V 2022 tour dates

September 6 - London, UK - Peckham Audio