The Ambient Light emit a dreamlike sense of childlike wonder on their first official album I Want to Exist. The entire album has me remembering a particular part of my youth. When I was a very young man I recall meeting my friends to play in an area of our little, secluded Midwestern town so small that if it were to blow away into oblivion not much of the rest of the world would be affected. One of our favorite activities involved an enormous tire used for a giant piece of farm equipment. We spent countless summer afternoons wheeling it slowly on top on what appeared to be a giant hill, climbing inside the tire and being pushed down said hill. The first time I was brave enough to climb inside I was changed. Immediately all notions of my world fell to pieces, and then to nothing. I was free. This was the first time I had ever been aware of this feeling let alone experience it. The Ambient Light echo those nostalgic, hollow memories that can only come about from a band not necessarily interested in concrete ideas but much more interested in the vagueness of a new situation. The excitement of what it can bring to you. And losing yourself in the moment.
Sven, Chris, Steve, Mich, and Dan hail from San Gabriel Valley and seem to display a complete apathy from waking realities. Presumably they let that go years ago and chose to embark into a colorful prism of introspection with their debut EP aptly titled Nostalgia Trip but have come into true form for their first album.
The first noises flooding into my brain from opener “Euneirophrenia” are the unique harmony of synthesizers and heavenly vocals breathing freshness which flow directly into “Golem” which is almost reminiscent of Tame Impala and early Smashing Pumpkins. “In my Lucid Dream” and “Moon in your Eyes” continue in the same style but I have to address the lyrics. Every single line uttered overflows me with a memory of staying awake with friends. Running outside barefoot just to feel the dew under my feet. Being alone and appreciative of that. And being surrounded by friend and appreciating that just as much. Later in the album is “Gaia”, another standout track, is consistent in its effects that expand and contract without using that as a crutch but really as an expansion to the entire five minute long experience which has mesmerizing deviations nearly every thirty seconds. “5am Sky” concludes the album with euphoric instruments and almost whispered vocals and perfectly wraps up this stunning little album who’s strengths lay not in overly powerful riffs but in its ability to take its time. To plant itself into your head.
I may never know if the band was singing about their childhoods but I know this, it hasn’t been since Arcade Fire came out with The Suburbs that an album has made me wish just for a moment I could make this world feel new again. And I hope many more releases follow.
Richard Murray, Pow Magazine
rdmurrayiii at gmail dot com
The Ambient Light web sites:
https://theambientlight.bandcamp.com/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvYIux9wjEw
