For lovers of indie-pop and indie-rock, comes Amber Run, a U.K. band with an incredibly unique sound. Signed under RCA Records, the band have released one studio album and three EPs and have a dedicated fanbase. Playing some of London’s best venues like Koko Nightclub, the band has both a electronic and rock sound, with synths and traditional instruments like drums and guitar.
But for first time listeners, lead singer Joe Keogh’s voice might sound familiar. Often compared with British band Bastille, Keogh has a distinct voice that is prominently displayed through all of Amber Run’s music.
Searching through Spotify, Amber Run came to BTS’ attention, and we were immediately hooked. Our favorite track? “5AM”. The slow piano start before leading into the synth beat leaves us wondering what happened to make the band write such an emotionally compelling song. 5AM starts slow, but builds quickly, making for a perfect obsession song.
Another fan favorite, “I Found” was recently featured on MTV’s Teen Wolf, which the band gained a significant following from. With an a capella beginning, Keogh’s voice is accompanied by his bandmates along with a slow piano and bass backing, singing lyrics about finding love where it wasn’t supposed to be, worrying that it’s not making sense.
Want a special treat? Listen to Amber Run perform “I Found” with the London Contemporary Voices below.
The band even includes a cover of Hide & Seek by Imogen Heap on their album, mixing in their own unique sound to the classic piece. If this song sounds familiar at one point, remember Jason DeRulo’s classic cover?
With a band that’s creating their own genre, Amber Run is a standout 2015 artist. Amber Run’s song consistently stay on our obsession playlists and often times find themselves being played on repeat for hours at a time. Amber Run is paving the way for a new genre of music and we can’t wait for them to keep producing more.
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