Review: Ambré - 3000°
Whenever I get asked about why I review these projects or where the rhyme/reason stems from, it is easy for me to explain. I am writing what I feel NEEDS to be said and, in a way, I am writing what I feel I would want to read. BUT since these things do not exist, they must be erected by yours truly. That in and of itself is the essence of RNB Nerd and of me, Gumaro. I love R&B and it is the thing that I love the most in the world and what brings me joy is expressing how it inspires me and makes me feel. I do this in the HOPES that it also connects with other listeners out there, who might feel the same way I do.
ANYWAYS fam, please join me in the celebration of Ambré’s project, 3000°, RNB Nerd style 😊
"3Peat" - Project teaser takes song form in this short introduction. Serving as not only a taste of what is to come in the 8-song set, but to let you in on who she is as an artist. What she is like, where she is from, her vibe, and her energy all comes through in the most LIT way. I love that the sounds and references to where she is from shine through the most (3Peat being a Lil Wayne song, the jazzy bass glides from start to finish, and her local radio station gets a shoutout - KMEZ 102.9: New Orleans' Best Mix of R&B), New Orleans must be so proud.
"Wild Life..." - Let me get it off my chest now because I cannot help but feel that this sounds like SADE to me. Am I the only one here? The ethereal song feels cinematic with lyrics that paint a scene from her life where it sounds like she is searching for answers. Ambré always seems to know how to sing us all softly away with songs that carry a deep meaning and message. "Wild" is a nice way to dip your toe into the set, easing the listener into what will be the more robust sounds to come. Also, the visual for this song fully encapsulates Ambré’s essence, so it cannot be missed!
"I'm Baby" - This feature with Jvck James is, in my opinion, the quickest to digest and take in on my little R&B-palette. It was the record I gravitated to the most AT FIRST because it is plain good R&B. My interpretation of the lyrics makes me love it that much more. If nothing else, it is her ability to vocalize her self-realizations and her being INCREDIBLY vulnerable about the role she plays in this romantic situation is something that I aspire to. This is one major element that I have come to love and respect so much about Ambré’s music - When she is free to be herself, it allows all of us listening to be ourselves too. Whoa baby, Jvck James HESITATED for nothing when he came in after the first verse and added something legit to entire record in all the best ways (PACIFICALLY the ad-libs).
"OUTREAUX" - Ambré was kind enough to give us a quick intermission before she BLOWS OUR MINDS in next song, "Illusionz". This track serves as a challenge for her to push the boundaries. Ambré ties in the 3000° theme here by highlighting its mention in André 3000’s verse on Beyoncé’s record, “Party". THE DETAILS, BRO!
"Illusionz" - No doubt the feature of Destin Conrad and BEAM made us all foam at the mouth, the song DOES.NOT.DISSAPOINT. If you thought Ambré was heavily entrenched in psychedelic sounds and effects before, this one takes the entire cake. The richness of this song reminds me immediately of just how long Ambré has been working at her craft and has consistently been refining her artistry. While I am the first to recognize the energy in this song is MASSIVE, the SOUL is equally commendable. Her vocals have a smoky grit, the harmonies fade in and out, and the ad-libs feel otherworldly. BEAM is ON FIRE, not missing a beat in setting up Ambré and Destin to ride and BANG it out to the finish. Louie Lastic, Azul, and company REALLY took us to another world as we journeyed to Destin's verse and for them, I will be eternally grateful. I cannot remember in recent times where an R&B song has brought something like this. This record always leaves me feeling renewed and restored. This is my FAVORITE record from the project.
"Superstitious" – Another nice transition, Ambré smooths it out on this one here. Dare I say the projects main classically, categorical “love song”? YOU NEED TO READ THESE LYRICS; they are straight up poetry. Ambré leaves a strong impression on the listener, letting you into what being in love with her is like. She is tough, while delicate as she weaves between lyrics like, “Get the fuck from 'round me, Only real surrounding, Yeah, you should ask about me, Come and shut me up (Shh), You should ring my line (Bling), Don't just call my bluff, make me (Oh)”. I leave this song knowing that Ambré believes in love at its very core; affectionately honest and unafraid to lay bare all the feelings she has inside.
“Drake and Drive” – This record seems to have built a life of its own, as it is celebrated the internet over. Such genius it is to compare the heightened state of driving your vehicle while under the influence of Drake-like feels to that of driving intoxicated! There is heartbreak all over this record and what comes through the most is this notion of having tried to save it unsuccessfully. For me, the record clearly illustrates another piece to the Ambré story. From this, and the other records on the project, we follow the chain of events that inspire all the colorful lyrics, musical choices, and general self-expression that we all adore and, on some level, relate to Ambré on. The visual is another gorgeous clip that brings to life the lyrics and emotion, even with its short run time of 2:19.
“Jay’s Reprise” – We conclude the project with some electrifying bars from the ICONIC Jay Electronica. For me this, is a highlight of the album. Jay’s verse weaves together many of the themes that were explored on 3000°; examining one’s life, celebration of one’s roots, dreams, self-realization, remorse, and a sort of understanding that comes from having experienced it all. Before Jay fades out, we hear Ambré remind us one final time that “It's all illusions”. Then the project ends with the sound of birds and a breeze that is undoubtedly flowing through some New Orleans trees.
Photo Credit: Zekaria Al-Bostani
Now having listened to the project several times over for this review, I feel a sense of calm. I am totally satisfied with the audio rollercoaster ride I have experienced and with having my senses fully activated throughout. I think it goes without saying that Ambré continues to impress us all, through her unique storytelling and ability to convey a spectrum of emotions beautifully with her voice. I argue that her project 3000° consecrates Ambré as one of R&B's newest talents who is genuinely progressing the genre and doing it SO AUTHENTICALLY! All the glory she amasses is truly deserved.
