X Ambassadors are an American alternative rock band based in Brooklyn, formed in 2008 and active with a lineup of Noah Feldshuh, Casey Harris, Sam Nelson and Adam Levin. The group originates from Ithaca, New York, and records with KIDinaKORNER.

Career

The band begins as a local act, playing gigs and self-releasing music before attracting wider attention. Their sound draws on alternative rock, folk pop, pop rock, indie rock and pop, with tags also placing them in indie, indie pop, electronic and alternative territory.

Their debut album, VHS, arrives in 2015 and marks their breakthrough. It includes the singles “Renegades”, “Unsteady” and “Jungle”, which together gather over a billion streams on Spotify. The album also features collaborations with Imagine Dragons and Jamie N Commons.

Style and themes

X Ambassadors are known for energetic, emotional live performances, often presented with elaborate visuals and lighting. Their songs frequently address personal and social subjects. “Unsteady” reflects the Harris brothers’ upbringing with a mother who struggles with substance abuse, while “Renegades” is presented as a song about resisting social norms.

Collaborations and related work

Beyond their albums and singles, the group works on a range of projects, including the soundtrack for the Netflix film Bright. They also release the song “Home” with Machine Gun Kelly and Bebe Rexha. In addition, they support mental health awareness through work with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the JED Foundation, and launch the “Joyful Tour” initiative to encourage self-care and reduce stigma around mental health.