Pretty Sick - Streetwise [EP]

“Her now-signature fuzzy sound [is accented] with surprising digital textures: the quiet drive of a synth arp, the soft, right hook of an electronic percussion hit” – Tobias Hess, PAPER

“‘Streetwise’ is wholly different than anything she’s released, riding glitchy textures and a thwacking beat while laying down mercilessly cool lines about running around NYC” – Neville Hardman, Alternative Press

“A singular and compelling lyricist” – Emma Madden, Pitchfork

“Fuentes’ lyrics have often been themed around the coming of age experience—romanticism, confusion and life-altering heartbreak” – Jade Wickes, The FACE

Following her recent profile in The New York Times, the NYC-based multi-hyphenate bassist, vocalist/songwriter, and model Pretty Sick has just shared her highly-anticipated EP Streetwise —out now via Dirty Hit. The project arrives alongside a Jake Erland-directed (Beabadoobee, Shygirl) music video for new single “Violet”, a grungy, midsummer club anthem defined by endlessly quotable one-liners and the track’s sticky refrain (“Sexy bitch/Violet”). “Violet is about that girl who’s loud and fucked up and sexy and gross,” Fuentes says of the track. “She’s my favorite kind of person, and even if everybody else in the room is scared of her, I can spot her from a mile away, and without fail am taken with this kind of psychotic, messy bitch.” The release comes accompanied by the launch of her new clothing line, P.S, which will be sold online as well as in Heaven by Marc Jacobs stores. Designed by Fuentes herself, P.S. by Pretty Sick is a line inspired by and made to complement the world around her. Lauded by DAZED for “a sound that’s brash, youthful and scuffed round the edges,” Pretty Sick’s Streetwise EP serves as her first new music in almost two years and ushers in a fresh sound for the New York underground outfit, who teamed up with Swedish producer and D.J. Woesum (Yung Lean) for the project. Pairing dry-wit musings with experimental post-punk instrumentation, the six-track outing follows the release of singles “Streetwise” and “Headliner”, serving as a compelling introduction to Pretty Sick’s new era as she prepares to release a full-length album later this year.

A visionary artist who cut her teeth in New York’s underground, Pretty Sick has built a cult following for her raw, hyperpersonal songwriting, gritty yet nostalgic feeling post-punk, and alternative rock-inspired production. Sabrina Fuentes founded Pretty Sick at just 13 years old and came of age in New York’s DIY scene before releasing her acclaimed self-titled EP in 2017. Her unique style quickly caught the attention of English indie label Dirty Hit, and she followed up that release with projects Deep Divine (2020) and Come Down (2021), before cementing a name for herself in 2022 with her Paul Kolderie (Hole, Radiohead) produced debut album, Makes Me Sick Makes Me Smile. The album’s release proved to be a watershed moment for the artist, who spent the following months touring with indie heavyweights Beabadoobee and Yves Tumor as well as modeling for designer Marc Jacobs’ Heaven Spring 2023 Campaign. Still riding the momentum of her formative breakthrough year, Streetwise turns the page on a fresh chapter for an artist at the forefront of New York’s new alternative scene.

Founded in 2014 by the then 13-year old Manhattanite, musician, and model, Sabrina Fuentes, Pretty Sick emerged from New York City’s underground DIY scene with a raw and gritty sound rooted in 1990s alt-rock and grunge. Since releasing her self-titled EP in 2016, Pretty Sick has built a loyal fanbase with undeniably catchy songs like “Dumb” (26M+ Streams) and “Superstar” (12M+ Streams) while garnering critical praise from the likes of Pitchfork, Pigeons and Planes, DAZED, The FACE, New York Magazine, and even Iggy Pop. Fuentes went on to release her career-defining, Paul Kolderie (Hole, Radiohead) produced debut album, Makes Me Sick Make Me Smile in the fall of 2022 before setting off on tour with Beabadoobee and then, in the Spring of 2023, with Yves Tumor. While floating effortlessly through New York’s underground scene, Fuentes has also served as a muse for the likes of Calvin Klein, Anonymous Club, Opening Ceremony, and Marc Jacobs — for whom she modeled the Heaven Spring 2023 Campaign. In a relatively short, formative span of time, Fuentes has become a vital presence in the youthful New York City scene, weaving her creative community into the sometimes raucous, sometimes restrained, and always personal songwriting and visuals of Pretty Sick.