‘…soundscapes that alternate between punchy and dreamlike makes for a surprisingly cinematic experience…’
AMBERS are a Liverpool “gritpop” trio that emerged last year with their debut EP, ‘Talking To The Mirror’. An indie pop outfit that is as much for the modern youth as they are for those yearning for the 2013 Tumblr-era high of indie, AMBERS bring together luscious pop soundscapes and fuzzy riffs to conjure up something that feels both refreshing and nostalgic.
‘Giving Up The Fight’ is the band’s sophomore EP, and sees the three-piece polishing up what made their debut so engaging. Love-struck lyricism and soundscapes that alternate between punchy and dreamlike makes for a surprisingly cinematic experience, soundtracking summertime romances and nights of youthful reckless abandon.
AMBERS very clearly know how to write a hook, and that talent comes through again and again across the span of this EP. ‘New Love’ and ‘In Love With The Thought Of You’ are indie pop anthems that offer the simple joy of big choruses to sing along to, without sacrificing any of depth or sense of identity. The vocals are understated yet remain distinctly captivating; the joys and agonies of young love brought to life with an innocent, diaristic approach.
‘American Fantasy’ is a pleasant twist of the AMBERS formula, as they incorporate country ideas into a lo-fi pop soundscape; the result is a blissfully tender listening experience that perfectly captures the subtle joy of unintentionally incorporating a loved one’s mannerisms into one’s own self. The title track continues to demonstrate the band’s capacity to produce magnificent slow-burn performances, as it ebbs and flows with a synthwave flair, indulgent electronics backed by waves of hypnotic percussion.
Indie rock is undoubtedly a saturated field, and the current sonic zeitgeist leans in a far more acoustic direction. AMBERS, however, continue offer something delightfully engaging with a focus on reviving the shimmering pop aspects of the early 2010’s. ‘Giving Up The Fight’ is yet another brilliantly strong release from the Liverpool newcomers, and it would be wholly unjust if they do not begin to receive major attention soon.
RATING: 79/100
For Fans Of: The 1975, Fontaines D.C., Glass Animals,
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