AMBER MARK - THREE DIMENSIONS DEEP
Amber Mark encapsulates everything you feel in a journey of grief- whatever that grief may be, from career struggles, imposter syndrome, death, breakups, mental health struggles and all the pains and tribulations that come with that. After so much painful, yet needed, healing, she lands, and guides us to land, in a place of self-love. It’s a sweet reminder that we are not alone with some ethereal and healing songs in her latest album, Three Dimensions Deep.
Amber Mark in 2019 was in a place I know we all have had- the deep uncertainty of “Can I really do this?” And all those worries poured into ‘Worth it’, a soulful single that left us wanting more. And now with Three Dimensions Deep, we have more. This beautiful album, a combination of Afrobeats, R&B, neo-soul, Reggae and a little dash of techno is an invitation to a journey. Not only to accompany Amber on her own journey of self-love, hurtful healing, and insecurities but also to go on our own journeys as we listen along. It’s split up into three parts: WITHOUT(insecurity), WITHHELD (forced confidence), and WITHIN (an understanding of her place in the world).
WITHOUT is a telling of career insecurities and a breakup’s fallout. Here we hear ‘Healing Hurts’ which is about missing someone who’s “out of my phone but inside my heart you broke. But at the same time, knowing that while you’re healing, healing hurts like nothing else. Nothing can distract you from the pain, but you know it’s worth it, even on lonely nights.
‘One’ is focused on the career insecurities from imposter syndrome, but it’s a homage as well to Amber’s late mom Mia Mark, asking her if the goals Amber set in her mind can be reached. Hymnal-like ‘Most Men’ talks about how people give their heart to “give it all”, and encourages girls to be more careful with their hearts. A new hymn for the heartbroken to know that loneliness is not all you get, and love comes from within. ‘What It Is’ is so inviting, telling listeners that “you and I are one in the same… is it love that proves our faith” This, as Amber explains, can be faith in anything, scientific to spiritual.
WITHHELD is about denial; Amber is fully emerging from the breakup and to avoid the feelings, she goes out. ‘Bubbles’ is the most relatable ‘distracting yourself from the pain’ song about going out to get over, an almost forced confidence and finding comfort in a routine of avoidance. It also features a unique combination of techno music and flutes. ‘Softly’ continues the club fusion with reggae to tell a man that he has to treat her right, sincerely care and prove himself and then MAYBE he can spend the night. ‘FOMO’ brings a ray of encouraging sunshine in a bottle feeling, explaining that Amber is (understandably) done with feeling like she’s missing out on living her life. She’s not gonna miss out on living happily and asking her mom for guidance once more in this new adventure. This whole section is about moving on and ‘Turning Pages,’ while it starts with denial, it truly reflects the growth Amber, and all of us, go through as we go through grief. There’s always back and forth, but we move on with time. “All good things are meant for us,” as Amber says in ‘Foreign Things’.
WITHIN is not only about Amber’s journey through grief but also about her thoughts on the wider world. Written during the summer of the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, it’s about looking for answers in a life that can be seen as full of suffering, especially when those in power provide no answers. It’s about finding comfort and a sense of belonging and this continues from the last section to WITHIN- like with ‘Competition’ with an entrance of elegant piano to tell us a tale of acceptance and how we all win- one person’s win isn’t our loss. There’s room for all of us. The rest of the songs in this section, from groovy ‘Bliss’ about finding bliss and self-love in times of struggle to Event Horizon’s relaxing ending to a beautiful journey, complete you, regardless of how many times you’ve heard the album.
So much of this album reflects Amber’s past and her growth and maturity- not only in music but in her life. Since her family moved so much with her free-spirited mom, Amber experienced sounds and cultures from across the world from Berlin to Nepal to New York City. There’s a world of different sounds and symphonies all in one album, but it all fits together like an ethereal puzzle. This album has been on repeat since I heard it, and I know you’ll feel the same.
This album is truly a beautiful mirror and allows for reflection for the listener, and truly lets us in Amber’s mind as she goes through her own journey. It truly is the process of time and healing, wrapped up in a bow. Thank you, Amber, for sharing your journey with us, and encouraging us on our journeys, too.
Alex Shukri
★★★★★