London and Essex based alternative rockers, The Amber Bugs first hit my radar back in 2021. It was around this time that year, when everyone was getting ready for Halloween, they released their track Frankenstein Was The Monster. In the autumn of 2022, we shared another one of their ghoulish tracks, this time called Spiders and Ghosts. Now they’re back with another new one, which takes their sound in a whole new direction. It’s called Based on a True Story.

By Graeme Smith

A storytelling track, it takes place on a night out. Romance turns to violence as events unfold. As the title suggests, it’s based on a real night that happened back in 2010, experienced by frontman Ben Kelly. Musically, the track is slow and stripped back, giving plenty of space for the lyrics to unfold. Its heart-breaking detail will have you gripped, as will Ben’s expressive vocals. As the story turns violent so does the instrumental arrangement. It’s incredibly powerful.

Based on a True Story features Ben Kelly, Teresa Kelly, Sam James, Nate Barnes, Chris Bonner, Aryan Nicodemo, Ali Bello, Joe Zietlin, Finn Thomas Bradley, and Chris Ott. It was mixed by Henrique Vilhena and mastered by Luiz Tornaghi. You can listen to the track below.