Encounter ‘Familiar Faces’ with A.M.R

A.M.R helps you reconnect with everyday life with the ten beautiful tracks found on his sophomore album Familiar Faces.

Although dance music is often associated with packed clubs and mainstage hits, the melodic house and techno scene, in recent years, has been grabbing the attention of the average raver. One of the genre’s ambassadors who is pushing the breezy style forward is rising star A.M.R. Representing the chill dance flavor from Qatar, his emotive music has garnered looks from tastemakers and fellow artists alike with releases on labels ranging from Monstercat Silk and This Never Happened to Anjunadeep and Alter Ego.

Now A.M.R is ushering in a new era by releasing his genre-pushing sophomore album, Familiar Faces on Monstercat Silk. The project’s opener, “Little Stars,” sets the tone of the sonically expansive worlds that each track produces. A lo-fi twist of the childhood classic song, it’s layered with fading voice notes, orchestral strings, and plucking guitar and synth chords that sound like a crackling campfire, creating an intimate and relaxing atmosphere.

This segues into “Holding On Is Human,” a breathtaking track that features Julia Church’s vocals articulating the pain of a fading relationship while the A.M.R weaves in hope with his uplifting synths. This tranquil ballad excels at letting each instrument breathe between the notes as if the long timing is a gentle reminder that it takes time to heal wounds.

While A.M.R shared that the focus of this album is on human communications, nature is also a theme that is organically felt in this project. “Lacuna (with Kymira)” blends wildlife soundscapes with fleeting vocals that create a cinematic number where its synths shine like the sun, while “Got A Feeling” features an upbeat groove that’s balanced by piano notes that move like a soft waterfall.

However, the testament of A.M.R’s production skills is evident on two meticulously crafted tracks. On his soulful production of “Mirrorball (with Fractures),” the dreamy melodies about love—blended with a soft bassline, meditative piano chords, and drowsy soundscapes—create a state of euphoria. (This song is about the joy he experienced with his wife on a beach day.) Meanwhile, on “Sakura,” the producer conjures a rippling of instruments, each layered with different note patterns that stimulate your auditory senses, prompting you to escape the rush of life and take a breath for a moment.

Drift away with this 39-minute journey because it’s an album that deserves to be listened to from start to finish. Give Familiar Faces a spin on Spotify or your preferred platform, and follow A.M.R on social media to stay in the know on his future releases and shows!

Stream A.M.R – Familiar Faces on Spotify:

A.M.R – Familiar Faces – Tracklist:

Little Stars

Holding On Is Human

Lacuna (with Kymira)

Got A Feeling

Mirrorball (with Fractures)

Wounds (with Brandon Mignacca)

Sakura

Here We Are

Midnight At Casa 24

I Hear You

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