Reckless Coast – Ambers (2022)
Sometimes you need a break from all the fancy genres: technical brutal death metal, progressive power pop, symphonic melodic black metal, nu-this, nu-that. I love Nile, Marianas Trench, and Carach Angren as much as the next person, but I also like straightforward rock: Led Zeppelin, Rival Sons, or the Stones. Unfortunately, my roving ears want new music, same as the old music. Reckless Coast, welcome to my music library. Or, perhaps reintroductions are in order: they released a great EP in 2019, Taste Test, and now they’re back with an excellent single, ‘Ambers’.
Reckless Coast follow in the path left by the greats, but the young band don’t step in the old footprints; they leave their own to inspire bands behind them. The power trio is comprised of vocalist/guitarist Jaeden Ogston, bassist India Raine, and drummer Jono Frowd. And power they are: drummer Frowd knows exactly how to serve the song and show off his chops at the same time. Raine’s bass holds everything down impeccably. Ogston’s vocals are warm but powerful and complement the melody, which, by the way, is one of the best I’ve heard all year. One top-tier performance is not enough for Ogston, he also delivers one of the most engaging guitar solos of the year. While it sounds mechanical, it is supremely melodic and neatly composed. Guitar solos tend to float like a songbird without a roost these days, but Ogston knows when – and how – to let it come to rest.
One negligible flaw is the unclear connection between the song’s title and the lyrics. ‘Ambers’ seems to be a clever wordplay on “embers”, given the cover art and the line “watch me as I burn”. The actual play, though, is unclear. Two minor flaws aside – a stiff solo and a strange song title – ‘Ambers’ is a perennial banger, and will be a top single of 2022 for yours truly.
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