Many artists saw the COVID-19 pandemic as a natural, if unexpected, point to take stock of their careers. This was certainly true for The War and Treaty, as the husband-and-wife duo took the forced time off to reflect upon the kind of music they really want to make. On EP Blank Page, which is their first release as part of Universal Music Group Nashville’s roster, listeners get a taste of this new era from the pair, which finds them exploring bigger, more universal themes lyrically and expanding their already genre-agnostic sound with more flourishes of roots-pop and soul. (This taste will culminate in a new album in 2023.) Opener “That’s How Love Is Made” is an honest depiction of trying to love someone unconditionally, asserting, “Can’t hate all your wrongs/And only want all your rights.” “Dumb Luck” considers the cosmic significance of life’s milestones with poetic detail. And the title track crystallizes that feeling of starting anew, a sentiment that should be relatable for just about all of us.