Amber Pacific: The Turn

Artist: Amber Pacific
Title: The Turn
Format Reviewed: MP3
Format Released: 2nd September 2014
Reviewed By: Katherine Tapp

This January marked Amber Pacific's ten year anniversary, and it has certainly been a busy decade. Over six years ago vocalist Matt Young announced he was leaving the band to pursue a career in public education. Under a new vocalist, the band would go on to release a new album and an EP. Three years after his departure, Young announced his return and left fans buzzing over the idea of a new album featuring the original frontman.

This year it became a reality. The band decided to release the new album, The Turn, independently, and managed to scrape together some funding from an Indiegogo campaign. Despite not reaching it's initial target, The Turn will be a worthy contender for the high expectations of their fans.

First impressions of the album are drenched in a heavy wave of nostalgia as Matt Young's unique voice is instantly recognisable. You'll find yourself taken back to the times of The Possibility and the Promise, an album that stands out due to its distinct vocals and catchy tracks. Not to say that the band hasn't changed at all, you can hear a definite growth in this new content. The vocals, guitars, drums, and keyboard flow together perfectly, the time and dedication put into each track definitely shows.

The second track of the album, Young Love, is worth checking out. The drums kicking in at the start create an almost suspenseful build-up, and Young's voice brings to mind the thought "Amber Pacific are back".
The next track worth noting is the third one on the album, When I Found You, featuring All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth. Young and Gaskarth's voices work well together, complimenting the notable chord and tempo change during the bridge.

Finally, the tenth and final track, Would You?, brings some variety to the table. It is notably softer than the other songs on the record, soothing listeners into a satisfying conclusion to the album.

Overall, the album highlights Amber Pacific's progress as a band, whilst maintaining the right amount of their original sound. A welcome return of Matt Young and a bright future for Amber Pacific as a whole.