Amber Martin returns to her country roots with her latest album, the highly anticipated Unbreakable Heart.
Musician, producer, writer, curator, choreographer, and star of her own shows, Amber Martin has worn many hats over the course of her career- and has balanced each and every one with grace. Having toured the United States and beyond, held residencies, hosted cabarets, and performed on several festival stages, Martin is a tour de force of both the creation and performance of music.
Returning for her second album, Martin has tapped into her country roots with Unbreakable Heart. A masterful balance of boot-stomping, slow-swaying, and deeply heartfelt songs, the album feels every emotion to its fullest regardless of how bright or blue.
Described as a series of independent tracks, Unbreakable Heart crosses the full span of the lived experience all while coming together in its own beautifully eclectic way.
Martin balances the floaty strings and can-do trucking-on attitude of “The Moon’s A Reminder” with the spark of tracks like “Devil Came Down The Dancefloor” that contains all the swinging energy you’d expect from such a title with absolute grace.
The utterly nostalgic Pawpaw’s Yodel features floating vocals and finger picking over a warming conversation with her grandfather on his yodeling passion and skill that plucks all the right heart strings.
Other tracks like the hilariously witty breakup piece and final pre-release single “I Left My Weed In Texas,” in which Martin is resentful over a breakup but is left grieving the weed she’d left behind rather than the ex-lover, are effortlessly counterbalanced by the slower movement of songs like the titular track “Unbreakable Heart,” which is full of crooning vocals and brushed percussions that bring a beautiful sway to the listening experience.
In addition to her own handiwork, Unbreakable Heart features a sparkling set of her long-time friends Rufus Wainwright, John Cameron Mitchell, and Jake Shears. All co-writers and vocalists on their subsequent tracks, the culmination of the artists’ skills and evident passion for their craft results in a set of three songs that round Unbreakable Heart into completion.
“Every song on ‘Unbreakable Heart’ is a standalone in its uniqueness. No two songs are alike. It’s brightened by the fine musicianship of some truly talented Texas musicians and collaborators in New York City. Everyone involved in this album, whether as writer, backing vocals singer or musician is a dear friend and ‘family’ member. It’s truly a love letter.”
– Amber Martin
Rufus Wainwright’s collaborative track comes in the form of “I Want You To Be A Real Man”, a hauntingly honey-warm duet that dissects concepts of masculinity over waltz-y piano and guitar licks that enchant.
Opening over crooning birds beneath the soft sounds of a guitar is “Second Heart” with Jake Shears. With swaying instrumentals and beautifully penned lyrics, “Second Heart” pulls listeners into a sense of pensive peace.
“Call Me Joe” concludes the collaborative trifecta, a bittersweet track made in partnership with John Cameron Mitchell that feels more like a ‘see you again’ in place of a ‘farewell’- a hopeful goodbye and nod towards the future.
Closing out the album with “Until Marianne,” a song filled with longing and love, Martin leaves listeners with a feeling of fond persistence with her moving vocals floating over the simple guitar instrumental.
A well-rounded experience of country twang highs and lows, Unbreakable Heart is a testament to Martin’s ability to put the intangible into lyrics and the indescribable into sound.
To celebrate the release of Unbreakable Heart, Amber Martin will be taking the stage at The Cutting Room in Manhattan on Tuesday, November 19. Supported by her band and several special guests, the evening will be host to an unforgettable night of live performance- not to mention the after-party with some of Amber’s own special DJs.
For more information on the celebration and how to attend, visit the event page here.
To learn more about Martin’s story, other releases, and future endeavors, be sure to visit her official website here.
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