BY: DIGITAL WAX MEDIA STAFF
San Diego’s rising indie rock outfit Pleasure Pill have released their shimmering new single “Don’t Fly Away”, a track that distills the band’s love of jangly guitars, Britpop swagger, and introspective lyricism into just under four minutes of pure dopamine. The single leads the way to their debut album Hang A Star, due June 27 on à La Carte Records, but stands strong as a moment all its own.
Built around sparkling guitar lines and an effortlessly sticky chorus, “Don’t Fly Away” channels a kind of adolescent yearning—the feeling of wanting to leave, but not quite knowing where to go. It’s the sound of windows-down, headphones-loud escape, framed in vivid color.
Frontman Jonah Paz describes the song as a generational touchstone:
“For my generation of people who have been starved of genuine musical and cultural moments. The folktale of hearing Nirvana for the first time or seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan can now be paralleled with the world hearing this song for the first time.”
It’s a bold statement—but the track backs it up. With its crisp production, driving rhythm section, and just the right amount of melancholy, “Don’t Fly Away” finds Pleasure Pill honing in on their identity. Influences like Oasis, Stone Roses, and Primal Scream echo in the background, but what cuts through most clearly is the band’s own voice—one rooted in heartfelt emotion and sharp musical instincts.
The single follows previous standouts like “My Way To You”, a hypnotic anthem praised by FLOOD for its mix of psychedelia and cheeky pop charm, and “Line Up The Stars,” a glittery, dance-floor-leaning track that hinted at their versatility.
While the full album Hang A Star arrives later this month, “Don’t Fly Away” offers an immediate and immersive entry point into Pleasure Pill’s world—one where big emotions meet even bigger hooks, and no moment is too fleeting to matter.
The band, led by brothers Jonah and Ethan Paz, formed in 2021 out of San Diego’s underground scene. From DIY punk gigs to buzzy NYC residencies, their journey has remained firmly rooted in community and conviction. Now, with a string of attention-grabbing singles and a national tour in the works, the momentum is hard to ignore.
Pleasure Pill will hit the road this summer alongside Sid Simons and Benches, with headline shows including upcoming dates in New York City.
Their debut album Hang A Star lands June 27 via à La Carte Records.
Photo: Brandon Mosquera
Digital Wax 