Amber Run at Oslo

With their fourth and fifth ever gigs at Reading and Leeds festival, a signing to label RCA and a firm alliance with Radio 1 barely a year after their conception, it’s safe to say things are going exceptionally well for Amber Run and their infectious rock pop. The five piece met while studying at Nottingham University; lead singer Josh Keough began as a solo artist, but after jamming together Keough realised that it was in a band that his writing really excelled. Over the past year the band have gone from strength to strength with a recent signing to Sony and frequent plays on Radio 1 and XFM.

The band describes their sound as “anthemic rock mixed with cinematic post rock”, and this is certainly true. Onstage at Oslo they deliver a huge sound filled with atmospheric drums, echoing guitar and powerful choruses. This is particularly felt in new single Spark – released online just two weeks ago, it’s  a catchy track with high piano trills that float ethereally above the heavy drums and commanding bass line. Hurricane – the best track of the night – is a whirling mass of keyboard arpeggios and screeching guitar riffs. Set against jangling drums that chime on the off-beat and heavy guitar chords, it’s a maze-like song full of kaleidoscopic angles and rich textures.

The rest of the set lacks the same creativity. In a recent interview Keough notes his “pop sensibility”, which is decidedly apparent. The tracks are all a bit too composed, with neat catchy choruses and attractive guitar licks. Although pleasant, songs Little Ghost and See You Soon become repetitive and bland.

Amber Run hold massive potential and have an obvious talent given their propensity for catchy melodies and striking choruses. However, they lack eccentricity and it would be interesting to see them hone their sound, developing it into something more experimental.

Alexandra Sims
Photos: Marine Candel

For further information and future events visit Amber Run’s website here.

Watch the video for Spark here: