Album Review - A Will Away “Bliss”
Every year I feel there comes one band that genuinely stands out slightly more than the rest, but not a band that’s signed to a huge label touring the world constantly for a living, one that’s less obvious and deserves to be at that level. If you would of asked me a year ago, I wouldn’t of said this band. But after hearing their new release, due March 20th via Quiet Fire Media, I can whole heartedly say that A Will Away is a band you need to know, and Bliss should and most likely will be in your top 10 for the year without a doubt.
The band prior to this release had a split with Head North via short lived label MTK, in which came with two songs and an acoustic song, “Home”. Which in my opinion, sounds like a completely different band. Not in a bad way, but just in personal statement I feel that the releases prior really don’t show this bands talent. Sometimes bands release something, and it just hits. That’s their release, Head North’s genuinely was shown on that split with “In The Water”, but 2015 belongs to a band like A Will Away, without question.
The single that introduced us to the new EP is what grasped me by the eyes and forced me to focus on this band. “Cheap Wine” (which can be streamed here.) gives off a softer tone vibe instrumentally, yet you can tell from the vocals and lyrics that this song is meant for the weaker of heart. The melody just flows so well, but you can tell somethings wrong in a sense, that there’s woe to be felt. There’s a video that will follow with time which from viewing I feel captures the perfect tone for both this band and song specifically, and it shows a good spectrum for what to expect from the 5 songs that follow “Bliss”. “You let me test your patience, you let me overstay. You asked me take my virtues, and throw them all away.” Hearing that line was what really just took me under, the chills under my spine and skin really felt those words with every single letter that puts them together the way that vocalist / guitarist Matt Carlson puts to the listeners ears. All in all, the day I heard that song is the day I only listened to that song and knew I just had to hear everything else this band was doing exactly right at that second.
“My Sitter”, being the second single was a great follow up to “Cheap Wine”. It keeps flow with the softer tone, but also gives a little more hopeful / “pep” in tone, even with some lower points, “I’m always going to be underpaid.” The guitar work is portrayed extra with this one, with a solid lead over the chorus really giving a backbone to the song. The entirety of it flows just really smoothly, as does the entire record. “Ten Or Eleven” was the one song I felt pushed itself out of the mold in comparison to what other songs were on here. You still get the same sound from it, but the drums really kick in this one, creating a louder / bigger impact for listeners. And hearing the vocals in the chorus max out when he cries “thinking I belong here, thinking I belong here, I don’t.” It gives more of an edge then the others, which is another great thing about this record. The songs are consistent, and yet not one is identical / similar overly to the next. Each track from “Play Dead” to “Be Easy” to any of the ones mentioned above all give their own sound and taste for the listener to get every aspect that is A Will Away.
“Bliss” is the record that puts this band on the map, fans of the Dangerous Summer / Transit will really understand that especially, but even pop punk kids and indie fans will find tastes in this record as it’s doing everything a band of this genre should do. It explores and hits all the points without falling into one category. There’s parts of every song someone of any genre specific / favoritism could enjoy, the same way bands like the Story So Far have become so popular; they get it. They explore, and they’ve created a wonderful 5 song EP that does everything it could for a listener, both new and old to the bands fan base.
March 20th the record comes out, and you can pre order it on CD via Quiet Fire Media.