Founded in Sweden in 2006 ‘Interstate 13’ is Pretty Wild’s follow up to their 2014 self-titled debut which came after a couple of sizzling EP’s. It’s a little more mature than that debut but still has the same thrust – taking on board not just vintage Sunset Strip influences but also tipping a hat at the ‘New School’ bands like Crashdiet and Crazy Lixx that also do this kind of thing so well.
We start with the huge ‘Let’s Get It Out’ a song that’s a little heavier than anything on the debut but which has a tribal beat to open and huge sing-along chorus that isn’t a million miles away from early Reckless Love before they became too Euro-Pop. ‘Ment for Trouble’ is similarly catchy with a grittier riff and a little more exposed Metal, and first single ‘Superman’ is a great slab of slick pop-tinged melodic rock that has a really broad appeal.
Elsewhere there’s plenty more to love with ‘Wild and Free’ taking things down a notch for a heartfelt demi-ballad that really hits the spot before my real highlight ‘Give It All Tonight’ turns the notch back up again for a truly memorable catchy, yet still restrained commercial rocker.
And that’s only the first half! The second half of the album is just as good with tracks like ‘The Way I Am’; the glorious ballad ‘Thanks To You’; the fired-up ‘Shot Me Down’; the huge hook of ‘Walk the Edge’ and the simply glorious rebel-rousing closer ‘Break Down the Walls’ all hitting the spot.
This is a great album by a great band. Check them out if you haven’t already, you won’t be disappointed.