Today, the Illinois-raised, punk rock band Harrison Gordon has released their highly anticipated sophomore record, BLISS, with Hopeless Records. The new record serves as the band’s introspective attempt to define what “bliss” truly means, born out of a period spent chasing fleeting distractions before waking up to the realization that they wanted something more. That reckoning comes into sharp focus on the track “Sight of Blood,” where the comedown gives way to a different kind of wake-up call, confronting who and what was lost along the way.
“I had a two-week period where every night, I’d have the same nightmare about people who weren’t in my life anymore. Not even the individuals I’d burned or who’d burned me, just the friends who aren’t around anymore,” shares Harrison Gordon. “After a few nights I grew convinced that I had probably pushed them away at some point. The fact I was having nightmares about them dying was proof to me that I was ‘entirely too much.’”
Previous singles off the record leaned into themes of self-doubt and vulnerability. Most recently, the band released “Like Me Less” with a music video directed by Tades Sanville of Hot Mulligan and Alex Scalzo-Brown. Earlier in the summer, they shared the raw and lyrically self-aware “Pretty” and the infectious, tongue-in-cheek track, “Not Working! Not Working!”
A New Chapter in DIY Punk
Even as the band has graduated to larger stages alongside State Champs, Hot Mulligan, and Arm’s Length, their DNA remains rooted in the DIY scene where they built their reputation. Their songs are built for catharsis and connection, featuring shout-along anthems and big hooks that feel as communal as they are personal. They turn anxiety, depression, and frustration into something loud, messy, and unifying.
What began as a solo project for Harrison Gordon in 2020 eventually evolved into a full band, fueled by packed basement shows and viral social media moments. Following the success of their 2023 debut The Yuppies Are Winning and the 2025 Spring Break EP, the band could have easily refined their established formula. Instead, BLISS embraces imperfection, capturing the abrasive dynamics and gritty authenticity of beloved second albums like Pinkerton and In Utero.
This new record cements their reputation for urgent, emotionally charged songwriting and explosive live energy. Fans can catch them on tour this fall supporting Mom Jeans, or at their designated headlining shows in cities including Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Las Vegas.