"[1] Formed in 2010, Various Cruelties received early acclaim based on a self-released limited edition single, "If It Wasn't For You,"[2] and signed with Mercury Records.
[4] Various Cruelties is led by Liam O'Donnell, a songwriter who became successful with credits on tracks such as Fall Out Boy's "Uma Thurman", and MAX's "Lights Down Low".
[5] Born in London to a Scottish father and an Irish mother, O'Donnell moved to Leeds in Northern England as a teenager, and began performing as a singer/songwriter.
[8] Before the end of the year, they'd performed alongside Metallica, Lou Reed, Steve Earle and Nile Rodgers on Later... with Jools Holland,[9] and signed with Mercury Records.
Various Cruelties eponymous debut was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Tony Hoffer, known for his work with Foster the People, Beck, and Goldfrapp.