Ample House surge forward with colossal single ‘Regress’
Three singles in and the Scottish trio are yet to miss.
Photo: Press
Building on the momentum of their first two releases Better Person and Good Health, Ample House have returned with Regress – their third single of the year and perhaps their biggest yet. Combining cathartic choruses with the kind of singalong lyricism that defines great anthemic indie rock, Regress marks a shift in tone for the Scottish newcomers, all the while remaining a strong declaration of who Ample House are.
While continuing to explore themes of self-reflection, change and coming of age, Regress trades the darker introspection of its predecessors for something more expansive and hopeful. Using soaring guitars and soft, spacious verses to mimic the relief that comes when you hit pause back, step back and finally begin to untangle an overwhelming situation, the track carries a runaway rhythm. A feeling that you’re not necessarily running from the situation but running alongside the mental questioning that’s slowly bringing you some clarity and a deeper sense of grounding.
From the very first shiver-inducing note, Regress is completely captivating. Emotionally charged and atmospherically rich, it delivers everything we’ve come to expect from Ample House. Vocally, there’s a gentle intensity that cuts cleanly through the mix, exposing the raw vulnerability at the song’s core and adding real emotional weight to each lyric.
But what sets Regress apart is its ability to feel both massive and intimate at once. Moving from a restrained opening to a thunderous, full-bodied payoff, the band demonstrate a masterful command of dynamics. Bristling with movement and emotional nuance, it’s a gig-ready track that’s rooted in late-night bedroom honesty. It’s a song for screaming into the void in a sweaty crowd and for staring at the ceiling as you try to figure life out at 2am.
Ample House have a rare ability to turn intensely personal reflections into something strikingly universal. They let tension and release coexist in a way that feels both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly unpredictable, and as a result are continuing to cement their quiet rise as one of Scotland’s most compelling new bands.
Regress is out now.