Bliss EP

Bliss is the third EP from American modern rock band A Will Away. It was released by Quiet Fire Media on March 20, 2015, and re-released by Triple Crown Records on October 23, 2015. The EP is considered the band's breakthrough record, setting in motion a series of events that led to Triple Crown Records signing them in August 2015.[1]

Bliss EP
EP by A Will Away
Released	March 20, 2015 October 23, 2015
Recorded	January 2015
Studio	Maximum Sound Studios
Genre	Alternative rock
Length	15:49
Label	Quiet Fire Media Triple Crown Records
Producer	Gary Cioffi
A Will Away chronology
A Will Away/Head North Split EP (2014) Bliss EP (2015) Here Again (2017)
Singles from Bliss
"Cheap Wine" Released: March 3, 2015 "My Sitter" Released: October 13, 2015

Background

At the beginning of 2014, the band had yet to garner the attention of any major record label despite positive reviews for their recently released EP, Cold Weather, and two earlier releases. Shortly before the end of the previous year, the band signed with new record label Giant MKT and spent much of 2014 on tour with label-mates Head North.[2][3]

At the same time, however, they also were working to craft another full-length album they hoped would launch a new phase in their career. After many months of writing, however, the project was abandoned. According to bassist John McSweeney, "We had a record we were writing for a really long time that we hated so we scrapped [it]. The Bliss EP kinda just happened."[1]

The band felt pressure to release new music quickly. They began writing new material in December 2014.[4] The next month, they arrived at Maximum Sound Studios in Danvers, Massachusetts, where they worked with producer Gary Cioffi to put together the EP in three weeks.[5][6]

Release

The band released the EP's first single, "Cheap Wine," on AbsolutePunk on March 3, 2015.[7] A week later, they released a second single, "My Sitter," on UnderTheGunReview.net.[8] On March 17, the full EP and a music video for "Cheap Wine" were released exclusively on AbsolutePunk[9] before CD and digital sales started March 20.[8]

Shortly after the EP's release, the band was approached about supporting a major tour and conversations began with Triple Crown Records weeks after that.[1] The label announced on August 31, 2015 that they had signed the band and would be re-releasing the EP on October 23, 2015.[10]

The EP's second music video, "My Sitter," was released October 13, 2015.[11]

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Already Heard	3.5/5[12]
New Noise Magazine	Favorable[13]
Punktastic	Favorable[14]
UnderTheGunReview.net	9/10[15]

The EP has received generally positive reviews from critics. Punktastic's Dave Bull described it as "emotive" and "energetic," but also said it "comes abound with an edgier warmth and an unplugged style chorus that gives that 'hands round a hot chocolate feeling' from the get go."[16] UnderTheGunReview.net's John Bazley strongly praised the release, saying the band "has left behind the constraints and tropes of the pop-rock genre and crafted an impressive, atmospheric release that truly captures their rare sense of identity."[17]

New Noise Magazine's Joseph Tucker wrote that it is "a great step in the right direction," noting "the band has progressed quite a bit sonically and lyrically in terms of maturity and tone."[18] In a review for Already Heard, Rob Mair said "there's little new to be heard on Bliss, but there's also plenty to like about it," citing "a rawness" that "sets them apart from their peers."[19]

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Play Dead"	2:57
2.	"My Sitter"	3:28
3.	"Cheap Wine"	2:52
4.	"10 or 11"	2:50
5.	"Be Easy"	3:42
Total length:		15:49

Personnel

A Will Away Matthew Carlson – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Collin Waldron – lead guitar, backing vocals John McSweeney – bass guitar Sean Dibble – drums

Production Gary Cioffi – production, engineering, mixing

References

1. "Interview: A Will Away". Honey Punch Mag. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
2. "New record label GIANT MKT launches, signs A Will Away, Crash Island & Homage". Circuit Sweet. 2013-12-11. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
3. "Speak Into My Good Eye A Will Away & Head North Announce Split Vinyl EP + Co-Headlining Tour". Retrieved 2020-01-12.
4. McGrath, Ryan. "An Interview with A Will Away: Finding Their Bliss | The Aquarian". www.theaquarian.com. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
5. "A Will Away". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
6. Elliot, Griffin (2016-07-05). ""Standing out requires everything you have and then some"—A Will Away on breaking out". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
7. "Exclusive: A Will Away Song Premiere, EP Announcement". AbsolutePunk. March 3, 2015. Retrieved 2020-01-11. Alt URL
8. Bazley, John (March 10, 2015). "UTG PREMIERE: A WILL AWAY – "MY SITTER"". UnderTheGunReview.net. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
9. "Exclusive: A Will Away EP Premiere - 'Bliss'". AbsolutePunk. March 17, 2015. Archived from the original on April 7, 2015. Retrieved 2020-01-11. Alt URL
10. "Triple Crown Records Sign A Will Away, "Bliss" EP Out 10/23/15, Fall Tour w/ Pentimento". The Prelude Press. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
11. Witherow, Barbara (2015-10-13). "Watch A Will Away (Triple Crown Records) new video". Substream Magazine. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
12. "Album Review: A Will Away - Bliss EP". Already Heard. 2015-11-09. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
13. "Album Review: A Will Away - "Bliss EP"". New Noise Magazine. 2015-03-19. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
14. "A Will Away – 'Bliss'". www.punktastic.com. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
15. Bazley, John. "REVIEW: A Will Away – 'Bliss' | Under the Gun Review". Under The Gun Review. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
16. "A Will Away – 'Bliss'". www.punktastic.com. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
17. Bazley, John. "REVIEW: A Will Away – 'Bliss' | Under the Gun Review". Under The Gun Review. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
18. "Album Review: A Will Away - "Bliss EP"". New Noise Magazine. 2015-03-19. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
19. "Album Review: A Will Away - Bliss EP". Already Heard. 2015-11-09. Retrieved 2020-01-12.