Following the release of their teaser single Sweet Nothings earlier this year, Pleasure Victim is set to elevate their sound further with the release of their new album, Berlin. Known for their new wave-tinged, alt-pop style, the group delivers music that pulses with energy, coldly precise soundscapes, and a bold, distinctive voice.
Exploring the limitless possibilities of synthesis and electro-pop, Pleasure Victim brings a fresh, boundary-pushing sound to the spotlight. Their latest work embraces a sex-filled swagger while maintaining a brooding optimism, defining a unique brand of new-wave for a modern audience. From the atmospheric feedback that opens the album to the ethereal glow of its closing moments, Berlin invites listeners to feel, dance, and experience the raw dynamics of the band’s groove.
The album offers a broad sonic palette. Tracks like ‘Gemma’, ‘Our Lady of Sorrows’, and ‘Sweet Nothings’ lean into accessible, eighties-inspired synth-pop, while songs such as ‘Blank Invocation’, ‘Every Good Boy Does Fine’, and ‘Heart of the Sun’ explore darker, noir-pop territories. This careful balance demonstrates the group’s mastery of mood and texture, positioning them as rising icons in the alt-pop landscape.
Berlin carries an added layer of significance, emerging after Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina in September 2024. For the band, the album has taken on a redemptive meaning—resilience in the face of adversity, the process of rebuilding, and grace against the odds.
Taylor of the duo explains, “For me, Berlin is less about a real place and more about a state of mind. It’s a dream city that anyone can have in their heart. It could be a place you’ve lost, or a place you can only really go to in your imagination. Art can bring these dreams to life, and that’s why I made this album.”
Pleasure Victim, the married musician duo Taylor & Alison Hill, first emerged in 2020 with their debut single. Drawing from their experiences performing in the Goth and Industrial club scenes on the West Coast, the duo has steadily expanded their sonic ambitions. Now based in the Appalachian Mountains, they continue to craft music that is at once enigmatic, expansive, and emotionally resonant.
Listen to the new album below:
