Royal Blush’s debut EP, A Ways Away, released in May 2025, is a compact yet explosive five-track journey that fuses nostalgic alt-rock, grunge, and dream-pop into a raw, emotionally charged package.
Hailing from Jersey City, the quintet—led by Allison Heckart’s dynamic vocals and bolstered by Andrew Merclean’s searing guitars, Patryk Sikorski’s production finesse, Adam Cichocki’s crushing drums, and Oliver Glynn’s atmospheric piano—delivers a sound that toggles between vulnerability and volatility with striking confidence. Clocking in at just under 16 minutes, the EP is a tight, cohesive snapshot of a band unafraid to bare their scars.
The opener, “Go,” sets the tone with a mammoth wall of distorted guitars and pounding drums, channeling the catharsis of closing an abusive chapter. Heckart’s vocals shift from serene introspection to fervent defiance, singing of breaking free from a toxic relationship with lines like “now I’m black and blue / all thanks to you.” It’s a heavy, anthemic start that screams resilience. “Ballads in the Sky” follows, blending pop-punk energy with a soul-searching hook and a perfectly executed key change that evokes classic up-lifters like I Wanna Dance with Somebody. Its melodic intensity captures the ache of grief and aspiration, making it a standout for its emotional depth.
“Cherry Cola,” one of the EP’s older tracks, fizzes with sugary nostalgia and a grunge-tinged edge, its playful defiance and catchy hooks making it a summer anthem contender. “Ice Age” offers a shimmering, jangling pop-rock vibe, balancing radiant accessibility with a slow-burning undercurrent of longing. The closer, “Butterflies on the Grave,” is the EP’s emotional pinnacle—a slow-build, cinematic track that wrestles with love’s fleeting beauty and unresolved loss. Its dreamy intro crescendos into impassioned vocal theatrics, leaving a haunting, premature end that mirrors life’s abrupt closures.
Critics have lauded the EP’s ability to balance fury and sweetness, with Obscure Sound calling it “enthralling” for its seamless escalation from contemplation to rock ardor, and EARMILK praising its “sugar-pop euphoria and alt-rock bruiser” duality. The band’s influences—Heart, Paramore, and even Kendrick Lamar—shine through in their genre-blending approach, though their New Jersey roots ground the EP in a gritty, DIY ethos.
While the short runtime leaves you wanting more, A Ways Away is a powerful first impression, showcasing Royal Blush’s knack for crafting songs that are loud, honest, and deeply human. It’s a debut that puts them firmly on the map, with the promise of more to come.
You can also read our interview with Royal Blush here.
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