Mimi Pretend - “God Damn”

Photo by Bailey Dale

Once again, Los Angeles-based Mimi Pretend returns to the blog with her exquisite, signature brand of shoegaze-tinged indie rock in the form of “God Damn,” a song that transcends this earthly plane.

After pressing play on this one, it is blatantly clear that “God Damn” is going to be quite an ethereal experience, with its magnificent swells of layered vocals rolling through a vast ocean of reverb. A slow-churning rhythm arrives, bringing with it fantastic ear candy that has been provided by some echoing tremolo-injected guitar and a distant, synthy ambience.

All the while, Mimi Pretend lets the vocal work shine. Part of the appeal, for us, has always been the way in which this artist completely nails the Mazzy Star vibe. The lyrics pour into your ears like a fine 1990s elixir, allowing older listeners to reminisce and turning a new generation of music lovers into immediate fans.

“God Damn” ebbs and flows throughout its duration, expanding and rising with layers of elements being added and then taken away again. A highlight for us is definitely the way that the vocal harmonies float in and out of the arrangement and, when combined with the reverb and tremolo from the guitar, it it not at all difficult to imagine being lost at sea.

About the track, Mimi Pretend adds: “The idea for ‘God Damn’ came from a dream I had where I saw someone drowning and for some reason I thought it was my ex but when I pulled the body out of the water it was me. So for me it is about letting yourself be devoured and drowned by your own and other people’s bitterness and being held hostage by not ever feeling good enough.” 

-HD