Mother (ZZ Ward EP)

Last updated
Mother
Mother EP by ZZ Ward.jpg
EP by
ZZ Ward
ReleasedOctober 4, 2024 (2024-10-04)
Genre
Length16:33
Label
Producer Ryan Spraker
ZZ Ward chronology
Where Did All the Love Go?
(2024)		Mother
(2024)		 Liberation
(2025)
Singles from Mother
  1. "Mother"
    Released: July 19, 2024
  2. "My Baby Left Me"
    Released: August 16, 2024

Mother is the fifth extended play (EP) by American Blues singer-songwriter ZZ Ward. It was released on October 4, 2024, via Dirty Shine, under exclusive license to Sun Records. [1] It was promoted with two singles, the title track "Mother", which was released on July 19, and "My Baby Left Me" on August 16. [2] [3] The extended play was met with praise by music critics. [4] [5]

Contents

Background and release

The extended play was executive produced by Ryan Spraker, and includes three covers, and three original songs, with two tracks being re-recordings from Ward's debut album, Til the Casket Drops, including a re-recording of her 2012 debut single "Put the Gun Down". [6] [7] [8]

While interviewed by Grateful Web, Ward described the meaning behind the making of the EP. [9]

“This EP is about coming back to who I am and the music I’ve always wanted to make. It’s a reflection of everything I’ve gone through and all the things I’ve been faced with—motherhood, self-discovery, and empowerment.” [10]

—  ZZ Ward on the meaning of Mother EP, for Grateful Web.

Track listing

Mother track listing
No.TitleLyricsProducerLength
1."Mother"
Ryan Spraker2:56
2."My Baby Left Me" Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup Spraker2:13
3."Put the Gun Down" (Dirty Sun Version)WardSpraker3:04
4."I Have No One"
Spraker2:33
5."Lil Darlin'" (Dirty Sun Version)
  • Ward
  • Nick Hennessey
  • Jonathan Keller
  • Richard Parry
  • Maceo Vidal-Haymes
Spraker3:25
6."Cadillac Man"Tommy MingaSpraker2:20
Total length:16:33

Notes

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Blues Rock Reviews8.5/10 [11]
TinnistPositive' [12]
Music NewsPositive [13]
V.13 MediaPositive [14]

Upon release, the extended play received critical acclaim from blues rock media outlets and music critics, with many praising Ward's modern twist on blues, and her vocal performance. [15] [16] [17] [18]

Writing for Tinnitist, Darryl Sterdan dubbed the EP as a "love letter to the blues", describing the project as a "six-track collection [that] serves as a powerful reminder of [Ward] talent for blending genres, while also showcasing a more mature, reflective side of the artist." [19] The site also named Mother their Album of the Week. [19]

Moe Moore of Blues Rock Reviews praised the record, highlighting Ward's great vocal abilities, as well, the songwriting, and music arrangements. [20] stating that: "each track is an enjoyable experience and leaves us wanting to hear even more of her material." [20]

Staff of Music News praised the extended play, dubbing Mother as Ward’s "most personal and authentic collection yet, showcasing her growth as an artist and a person." [21]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Apple Music. [1]

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Mother"
RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
Various4 October 2024
 [22]

References

  1. 1 2 Mother - EP by ZZ Ward on Apple Music, 2024-10-04, retrieved 2025-02-05
  2. ↑ "ZZ Ward Shares Personal New Single & Video "Mother" -". mxdwn Music. 2024-07-21. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  3. ↑ 2K views · 22 reactions | ZZ Ward's new single "My Baby Left Me" is available now from her upcoming EP "Mother" available October 4th! 🎧 "My Baby Left Me":... | By Sun Records | Facebook . Retrieved 2025-02-05– via www.facebook.com.
  4. ↑ Willschick, Aaron (2024-10-08). "ZZ Ward Drops Gritty Blues-Rock EP 'Mother'". V13.net. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  5. ↑ Publisher/Photographer, Mark Horan (2024-10-05). "Out Now: ZZ Ward Returns to Her Blues Roots with Powerful and Personal 'Mother' EP". All Music Magazine. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  6. ↑ "'Mother' of modern blues, ZZ Ward brings hits to Knitting Facotry". Spokesman.com. 2024-11-14. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  7. ↑ Rocker News, US (2024-11-25). "ZZ Ward Brings Her Blues to Knitting Factory Boise to Promote 'Mother'". US Rocker®. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  8. ↑ Mendes, Nicole (2024-07-30). "ZZ Ward - Mother (2024)". The Other Side Reviews. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  9. ↑ "ZZ Ward Returns to Her Blues Roots with Powerful and Personal 'Mother' EP". Grateful Web. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  10. ↑ https://www.gratefulweb.com/test.php/articles/zz-ward-returns-her-blues-roots-powerful-and-personal-mother-ep
  11. ↑ https://bluesrockreview.com/2024/11/zz-ward-mother-review.html
  12. ↑ https://tinnitist.com/2024/10/04/albums-of-the-week-zz-ward-mother/
  13. ↑ https://www.music-news.com/news/Underground/177063/ZZ-Ward-comes-full-circle-with-blues-heavy-new-EP-Mother
  14. ↑ https://v13.net/2024/10/zz-ward-drops-gritty-blues-rock-ep-mother/
  15. ↑ Moore, Moe (2024-11-22). "ZZ Ward: Mother Review". Blues Rock Review. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  16. ↑ Mixtape, My Weekly (2024-10-11). "Album Dive: ZZ Ward's "Mother" EP". My Weekly Mixtape. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  17. ↑ Delores, Bee (2024-08-01). "ZZ Ward is 'Mother' (Review)". Countrypolitan Magazine. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  18. ↑ "ZZ Ward Reclaims Her Blues Crown on 'Mother' EP". Onstage Magazine.com. 2024-10-04. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  19. 1 2 Sterdan, Darryl (2024-10-04). "Albums Of The Week: ZZ Ward | Mother". Tinnitist. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  20. 1 2 Moore, Moe (2024-11-22). "ZZ Ward: Mother Review". Blues Rock Review. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
  21. ↑ "ZZ Ward comes full circle with blues-heavy new EP 'Mother'". Music-News.com. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
  22. ↑ Mother - EP by ZZ Ward on Apple Music, 2024-10-04, retrieved 2025-02-05
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