Though Amber Mark’s debut EP is titled 3.33am, you might want to put it on right now. Mark brings a depth and maturity that’s often lacking in catchy indie-pop. She’s clearly a woman who’s been around the block, and we’re lucky to bear witness to her journey.
Mark’s voice is luscious, and her harrowing melodies are paired expertly with earthy percussion; her music ranks high on the groove-worthy scale. “S P A C E” is no exception to this. The track opens with a handclap-based backbone and is quickly met with some majestic double-layered vocals. It’s the type of thick vibrant audio your ears just love to absorb. As the lyrics set in (“I’ve got real big goals / Need to be able to focus…”), the song instills a feeling of strength in solitude.
Musically, Amber Mark makes excellent use of space (s p a c e). Though each track features plenty of texture, her music is also at the same time airy and ethereal, with an air of mysticism.
I’m usually drawn to the sound of music more than I am to the lyrics of a song. But even those that identify as lyrically illiterate can understand that this album is an homage to the stages of grief that followed the loss of her mother. The spirit of each song varies like the full spectrum of human emotion. The opener “Regret” simmers and ruminates, while tracks like “Lose My Cool” and “Way Back” reel with aggression. Her music moves you personally and physically.
When I found myself crying in an airport bathroom listening to her single “Monsoon,” I knew we had a winning piece of art here. Featured in this song are complex rhythms and rich harmonies that could move mountains. The incorporation of her mother’s voice on “Monsoon” was doubly impactful—proving in concept that there is indeed life after death.
Notable Tracks: “Lose My Cool” | “Monsoon” | “S P A C E” | “Way Back”
BUY Amber Mark’s 3.33am via Amazon | iTunes
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