Jump to content

Here Again (A Will Away album)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Here Again
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 3, 2017 (2017-03-03)
RecordedJanuary–February 2016
StudioMaximum Sound Studios
GenreAlternative rock
Length33:17
LabelTriple Crown Records
ProducerGary Cioffi
A Will Away chronology
Bliss EP
(2015)
Here Again
(2017)
Soup EP
(2019)
Singles from Here Again
  1. "Here Again"
    Released: February 3, 2017
  2. "Gravity"
    Released: June 23, 2017

Here Again is the second studio album from American modern rock band A Will Away. It was released March 3, 2017, and is the band's first full-length release on Triple Crown Records.

Background

[edit]

Following the success of their breakthrough EP, Bliss, the band returned to producer Gary Cioffi's Maximum Sound Studios in Danvers, Massachusetts to begin recording their first full-length album on Triple Crown.[1] The band previously recorded Bliss with Cioffi and now wanted to create a "companion piece" that built on the sound of the EP.[2][3] According to lead singer Matthew Carlson, Bliss and Here Again were designed to be played together, saying "You can listen to the beginning of Bliss through the end of Here Again and it's complete."[4]

The band arrived at the studio in late 2015, where they spent "5-6 weeks" on pre-production.[5] They spent three weeks recording the album in early 2016.[5]

Release

[edit]

In December 2016, it was announced the band would be supporting Moose Blood, Trophy Eyes and Boston Manor on a North American tour in February and March 2017.[6] This tour became their platform for promoting the new album from coast to coast.[7]

The band released the album's first single and music video, "Here Again," on February 3, 2017.[3] They followed that by releasing the LP's penultimate track, "Into The Light," exclusively to Uproxx on February 23, 2017.[8] The album was released March 3.[9] The band released the album's second single and music video, "Gravity," on June 23, 2017.[10] Later in the year, they embarked on two more U.S. tours, supporting This Wild Life and Dryjacket on the first and Have Mercy, Boston Manor and Can't Swim on the second.[11][12]

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Alternative PressFavorable[13]
chorus.fmRecommend[14]
Kerrang!Mixed[15]
New Noise Magazine[16]
PunktasticFavorable[17]
SoundfictionFavorable[18]
The Alternative8/10[19]

The album has received generally positive reviews from critics. In its favorable review of the album, Alternative Press called the band "the future of this genre, plain and simple," describing the LP as "their most diverse, calculated release yet" and "a craft of meticulous intent."[13] Writing for Billboard, Jenna Romaine said the band is "living up to" its self-description as "eighties pop rock on acid," with "a slew of memorable riffs, conceptual videos, and relatable lyrics that range from the everyday to transcendental."[10] The Alternative described the release as "less of an album and more a collection of seemingly effortless offerings that actually were a calculated endeavor," saying it "paints with the colors of palettes from Third Eye Blind, Moose Blood, and Taking Back Sunday but it is a masterpiece all on of its own."[19]

Punktastic's Chris Hilson offered overwhelming praise, saying it is "rare for a debut album to feel this well-rounded, making it almost impossible to find fault with any part of Here Again."[17] Soundfiction wrote that while Bliss "showcased [the band's] more negative view of life," this album "takes this nihilistic approach and turns it into a positive as the band comes to terms that while maybe nothing really matters, it's best to make the most out of life," adding that it "makes for a great debut album."[18]

chorus.fm's Aj LaGambina called it a "solid debut full length," adding it "could probably do with some more uptempo songs, but live, many of these songs will pick up the pace."[14] New Noise Magazine's Nicholas Senior gave it four out of five stars, calling it "comfortable, wistful, introspective, and just a tad nostalgic," but felt the songs "run together by the album's end."[16] Kerrang!'s Hannah Ewens wrote that "at times it's overbearing, with every musical part competing, but at their best, when they pull back, the songs have the potential to soar." She concludes by saying "it doesn't always work, but A Will Away are a touch more thoughtful than a lot of others doing this."[15]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleLength
1."Here Again"2:22
2."Pay Raise"2:59
3."Agoraphobia"2:25
4."Chemicals"1:31
5."Crochet"2:34
6."Well-Adjusted"2:25
7."Caroline"2:42
8."Better Reluctant"3:12
9."Summon Your Savior"1:45
10."The Shakes"2:15
11."Gravity"3:11
12."Into The Light"2:33
13."Something Special"3:23
Total length:33:17

Personnel

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Here Again, by A Will Away". A Will Away. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
  2. ^ Caruso, Drew (January 14, 2016). "UTG INTERVIEW: A Will Away Talk 'Bliss,' Gear and Signing to Triple Crown | Under the Gun Review". Retrieved 2020-01-11.
  3. ^ a b "A Will Away Announce New Album 'Here Again" + Stream New Song/Video "Here Again"". Soundfiction. 2017-02-03. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
  4. ^ "Interview: A Will Away". Honey Punch Mag. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
  5. ^ a b A Will Away LP1 - Part 3 (Guitar Talk), retrieved 2020-01-11
  6. ^ "Moose Blood announce 2017 North American headlining tour". AXS. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
  7. ^ "A Will Away release title track from debut album 'Here Again'". AXS. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
  8. ^ "A Will Away Grapple With Metaphysical Compromise On 'Into The Light'". UPROXX. 2017-02-23. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
  9. ^ "Stream 'Here Again' A New LP From A Will Away". Riot Fest. 2017-03-03. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
  10. ^ a b "Alt-Rockers A Will Away Debut Video for 'Gravity': Exclusive Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
  11. ^ Dickman, Maggie (2017-08-31). "Watch alt rockers A Will Away bring songs to life in spirited Sanctuary Sessions". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
  12. ^ Dickman, Maggie (2017-08-07). "Have Mercy announce U.S. tour with Boston Manor, Can't Swim and A Will Away". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
  13. ^ a b Magazine, Alternative Press (2017-03-03). "A Will Away's debut album 'Here Again' gives a glimpse into future of the genre". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
  14. ^ a b "A Will Away - Here Again • chorus.fm". chorus.fm. 2017-03-06. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
  15. ^ a b Review of Here Again. Kerrang!, March 8, 2017. (Mirror at PressReader)
  16. ^ a b "Album Review: A Will Away - Here Again". New Noise Magazine. 2017-06-27. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
  17. ^ a b "A Will Away 'Here Again'". www.punktastic.com. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
  18. ^ a b "Album Review: A Will Away – Here Again". Soundfiction. 2017-03-02. Retrieved 2020-01-11.
  19. ^ a b "Review: A Will Away - 'Here Again'". The Alternative. 2017-03-05. Retrieved 2020-01-11.