I finally braved the first boss (aka Hysterically Screaming Teenager at a One Direction Concert), and I was a complete train wreck the first time around. After that, I muted the boss for my sanity, and got it with ease on my third go. What a difference it makes! Curse you, fantastic sound design. I really haven't had to mute a lot of Souls bosses, but it was far easier to focus on it in silence. It's probably cheating, really. Goal for NG+: beat the boss unmuted! It's the little things.
...unfortunately, hysterically screaming back at the boss doesn't help long term, but it did provide temporary emotional relief.
Discovering a shortcut is still the best feeling! I thought I was going to have to a mad dash across the level each time. Suck it, weredicks.