Ample House release cathartic treasure ‘Makeup’
‘Makeup’ is the first track to be released from the Scottish band’s debut EP ‘Can’t Believe I’m Here’.
Photo: Ample House
There’s a feeling that sits somewhere between sadness and relief. A moment of stillness where the weight of the gloom still lingers, but it’s no longer as piercing as it once was. The pressure that was building inside you starts to lift, and after holding your breath for so long, you’re finally able to exhale. Not everything has passed yet, but there’s comfort in knowing that the worst of the storm has come to an end.
It’s that fragile emotional state that Ample House capture with confidence on their latest single, Makeup. Written and recorded by the Scottish trio last summer in a makeshift studio at vocalist Fergus Upton’s childhood home in Aberdeenshire, the track has an intimate, reflective quality that mirrors the song’s heart-on-sleeve songwriting.
Opening with warm yet sorrowful guitars, Makeup instantly wraps the listener in a quiet embrace as Upton’s deep, plaintive vocals drift in. His rich tone holds a subtle heaviness, balancing vulnerability with restraint and giving the song an emotional pull that feels both raw and sincere.
Backed by Joe Mackay’s steady, understated drumming and Connor Rezin’s expressive guitar work, the track gradually builds towards a powerful final chorus. As it reaches its climax, the guitars swell into a poignant solo that carries every bit as much emotional weight as the vocals themselves.
It’s a testament to the band’s ability to craft anthemic rock while remaining refreshingly honest in their songwriting. Like their previous singles, Makeup is a wholly cathartic listen, revealing a band finding the voice that will undoubtedly carry them far.
Makeup is out now and is the first track to be released from Ample House’s debut EP Can’t Believe I’m Here, which will be out this spring.