Ambergrove “stills” Review: Indie Pop Warmth Meets Lyrical Depth in New Single
REVIEW
9 Lounges Team
7/31/2025
“stills” — A Warm Embrace in Sonic Form
At its core, “stills” is a feel-good pop anthem, built for long drives, late sunsets, and soft moments of reflection. It’s light, yet layered — joyful without ignoring the shadows. It radiates the kind of warmth that only indie-pop done right can offer.
This is the track on the album designed to lift moods — and it does so effortlessly.
Formed in 2019, Ambergrove isn’t your traditional band. It’s a global art project rooted in collaboration and inclusivity. With core songwriters based on the central and southern coasts of California, and a rotating cast of creatives from around the world, Ambergrove focuses less on image and more on connection, sound, and storytelling.
Their mission? To create something timeless — music that feels universal, yet deeply personal. And with their latest single “stills” from the upcoming album I Love You As A Bright Horizon, they may have just done that.
Lyrics That Balance Lightness with Depth
Lyrically, “stills” is a contradiction in the best way — introspective yet hopeful, gritty but golden. The track doesn’t sugarcoat emotional exhaustion or existential fatigue, but instead leans into finding beauty as the only available survival tactic.
Lines like:
“I beg to differ but I still want you / Down in Oaxaca painting the sunrise”
...give us vivid imagery with emotional weight, perfectly blending personal ache with artistic escapism. There's poetic tension in how the track oscillates between resilience and resignation — a feeling many listeners will relate to deeply.
Standout Collaborations: Louie Diller and Kyle Pudenz Add Sonic Depth
One of the most striking elements of “stills” is its percussive foundation, driven by none other than Louie Diller, formerly of Holychild, a Los Angeles-based pop duo known for genre-bending tracks and explosive live shows. His drumbeat here isn’t just rhythm — it’s the spine of the track, pulsing with purpose and movement.
Then comes the closing — a soaring fiddle line by Kyle Pudenz, a respected multi-instrumentalist and session musician. His contribution gives “stils” a cinematic close, turning what could have been a simple indie pop tune into an emotional, dynamic journey.
Production That Breathes
The beauty of “stills” is also in its production — open and uncluttered, with enough space for each instrument to shine. It embraces a retro-modern aesthetic, where lo-fi textures blend with crisp drum fills and ambient layering.
And yet, nothing feels over-produced. It’s clear that the collective behind Ambergrove values restraint, letting emotion guide the sonic direction, rather than commercial polish.
In a landscape saturated with algorithm-driven pop and predictable releases, Ambergrove dares to offer something organic, global, and grounded in community. “stills” may be the most pop-friendly track on the album, but it carries the depth and intention of a project much larger than itself.
Whether you’re an indie pop enthusiast, a fan of collaborative collectives like Broken Social Scene, or someone simply looking for a new summer anthem with substance — “stills” belongs on your radar.
The Bigger Picture: A Glimpse Into “I Love You As A Bright Horizon”
As the lead single from I Love You As A Bright Horizon, “stills” sets the tone for an album that aims to be both expansive and emotionally grounded. It’s a teaser that promises more than just pretty sounds — it suggests a cohesive body of work with emotional arcs and genre-bending experiments.
Given the artistic ethos of Ambergrove, expect the rest of the album to include unexpected instruments, rotating vocalists, and lyrical complexity. “stills” is the gateway — approachable but not shallow, catchy yet thoughtful.