The Pretty Reckless singer Taylor Momsen has described the band’s fifth studio album, “Dear God”, as a particularly personal and direct record, saying its songs emerged from her need to process life rather than from a formulaic writing approach. Released last month through Fearless Records, the album matters as it presents what Momsen calls an unusually intimate and brutally honest account of her thoughts and experiences.

Momsen said the lyrics were less disguised by metaphor than on previous work, comparing their openness to material taken directly from a diary. She also explained that the band again produced the record with Jonathan Wyman and guitarist Ben Phillips, valuing the continuity and trust built after the death of their longtime producer Kato Khandwala; Momsen said they had “a very wonderful time” making it.