Three Dimensions Deep

10th March 2022

Three Dimensions Deep is a phenomenal debut from Amber Mark, who taps into funk and soul sonics while remaining pop R&B to give us an all baring and honest rollercoaster of emotions. I found that a lot of elements on this album sounded familiar but she manages to make each her own and leave a mark on my mind that makes me extra excited to see her on tour later this year. The best debuts are absent of features and Amber definitely carried this all on her own. I feel like her voice is fresh and unique, unlike any other artist on the come up right now and I think it fits the music she makes like the final piece of the puzzle.

One and What It Is serve as the perfect introduction to her album. One starts off with a sample from Bobby Bland, candid as ever about the pressures and anxieties of being herself and being good enough. What It Is is more of an inquisitive song that begs the question, what is the point of life. As Amber goes on this journey through these three dimensions that these feelings of self doubt become a distant memory.

Most Men and Healing Hurts give us an indication she’s been hurt before but isn’t bitter about it. Most Men is empowering where as Healing Hurts is more emotional but the tones and tempos of each song are still cheerful, I feel like both these songs can serve as songs we can put in our heartbreak playlist to make us feel more confident about healing. It’s as if all past lovers have been lessons that have taught her to know her worth and love herself.

The feel good section of this album that makes you want to get up and dance starts with Bubbles. The beat sounds like bubbles being blown and bursting, which really helps along the concept of the song. And while Bubbles isn’t afrobeats but I think it would definitely fit right onto an afrobeats playlist. Softly samples Craig David’s Rendezvous. I felt that Softly echoed Kevin Little’s Turn Me On while still effortlessly riding the sample. I don’t know if anyone else picked up on it but that’s what the lyrics and structure reminded me of. Now I have found that when people who don’t normally rap on the regular do so it can come off a little corny, but Amber manages to avoid this at all costs. This whole section just feels like songs you’d play at a party, if you had really good taste. Turning Pages still keeps this pace but I feel it’s a lot more reflective. She goes from moving forward to realising what she deserves on the next track. Foreign Things is such a ‘main character’ song, I can definitely see it on the soundtrack of a coming of age movie in the background of party scene.

On & On is a moment of vulnerability as we transition from one dimension to the next. Out Of This World and Cosmic both house references to astronomy, both odes to a lover she cherishes. Cosmic is one of my favourites, it’s honestly a perfect love song. This is definitely her best chorus on the album, well, my favourite at least. Darkside is a belter with some more astrology references, you have to appreciate the consistency. The sequencing of this album tells the story of her feelings so well. Worth It slows the pace of this album down for just a moment and then begins to build up again and continue the speed of the album. Worth It feels like an affirmation, and goes hand in hand with Competition. I really feel like these two songs represent uplifting yourself and others, affirming you’re worthy of everything you want. Listening to this entire album will give you enough confidence you no longer have to feel like you need to “fake it til you make it” anymore. Competition focuses on working in harmony with others so you can both be up, let’s face it sometimes we all need a little help. And contrary to its title, Amber is definitely not in competition with anyone and doesn’t want to be. She wants everyone to win.

Bliss, another love song, feels like a look back at the rest of the album as it draws to a close. In the second verse she talks about how she’s “been through the gauntlet” and that she “might be over [her] hardships”, it reads like a moment of reflection over everything she’s told us so far. She’s ready to be happy now. Event Horizon, the closer on this album, is just a beautiful farewell from Amber. The complete change of pace informs the listener that this is the end.

My only criticisms for this album is that it definitely felt like I was listening to a deluxe album. Where so many other artists are often using skits and voice notes dotted about their works, it was refreshing to hear an album without it. However I do feel like the three dimensions were difficult to pinpoint and could’ve been made clearer using those elements. Nonetheless, this was a solid effort from Amber Mark, I really felt like she painted all of her emotions well. I think what makes this album so great is that I feel like her target audience don’t really listen to music that sounds quite like this, there aren’t a lot of artists out here that do what she does. I’d recommend her to fans of Ari Lennox, Victoria Monet, any R&B on the groovier and funkier side, you’ll love this.