Marc Ambrosia pivots his sounds on a timeless & soulful single, “Hold On”
With “Hold On,” Marc Ambrosia steps into a warmly lit room where time slows, tape reels hum softly, and every note is downright beautiful. Released on February 20th, the song marks a meaningful pivot in Ambrosia’s catalog, not because it abandons his past, but because it leans fully into a sound that feels refreshingly alive. Channeling the spirit of early-1960s soul and pop, this track doesn’t imitate history so much as invite it back into the present.
Recorded at The Audio Lab in Millville, New Jersey, the session captures something increasingly rare, a full band playing live together in one room. You can hear it immediately. The recording breathes. There’s space between instruments, subtle push and pull in the rhythm, and a sense of shared instinct that no amount of digital polish can replicate. The production is laid back but intentional, allowing the performance itself to do the heavy lifting. It feels less like a modern studio creation and more like you’ve wandered into a late-night session where everyone knows exactly when to step forward and when to fall back. However the last minute of the track is where things really take off in such a lush way.
Ambrosia’s vocals sit front and center, and rightly so. His voice carries remarkable range, delivering each line with oomph rather than gimmicky theatrics. There’s a natural warmth to his tone, a quiet confidence that recalls the golden age of soul without ever sounding like he’s paying homage just because. He doesn’t oversell the moment. Instead, he lets the phrasing, the breath, and the grain of his voice communicate the weight. It’s endlessly soulful, and it pulls you closer rather than pushing you back.
The instrumentation is equally fantastic! Guitar, bass, drums, and piano lock together with an ease that only comes from trust and familiarity. The rhythm section grooves without rushing, while the piano adds melodic flourishes that feel conversational rather than showy. Every part serves the song, reinforcing its emotional continuously. The fact that this was recorded live only heightens the intimacy of it all, giving the track a legitimate human feeling that soo much music nowadays lacks.
This isn’t a detour, but an expansion, a reminder that great songwriting can wear many coats. He’s embraced that vintage-inspired approach rooted in live performance and honest musicianship. Without a doubt, it’s one of his most compelling recordings to date. It’s a song that doesn’t just ask you to listen, it invites you into the room, and once you’re there, you won’t want to leave.
So please, go ahead and click those links below to listen in, and of course to stay tuned for more!
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