Amber Mark Covers Nirvana's "Heart-Shaped Box" For "Covered-19" Series
Amber Mark's R&B is nothing short of intoxicating. Raised across Europe and Asia, the New York-based singer, songwriter, and producer originally made a splash with her critically-lauded debut EP, 3:33AM. It is a wave she has been riding with velvety offering after offering, which is now taking new form as an uninhibited cover of one of music's most legendary rock bands.
"Heart-Shaped Box" sees Mark lending her siren-like R&B call to the infamous Nirvana single. Originally a love song of sorts informed by Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love's relationship, the notion of a silky-smooth rendition of a grunge staple arrives as less of a shocking juxtaposition and more of a welcome surprise. Opening on a choir of angelic coos before demonstrating her impeccable vocal range, Mark makes the cover her own without sacrificing the ominous, lovelorn intent of the original.
The Nirvana cover is a part of Mark's "Covered-19" series, which will see the R&B artist releasing a series of self-produced and recorded covers and original singles whilst on lockdown in her New York flat. The effect is a series of singles and home videos that speak to the reality many artists currently find themselves, of how to remain creative and connect with the outside world while on a government-mandated lockdown. She spoke further on launching the new series, sharing,
"For me, making music in the Covid-19 quarantine has probably been the only positive to come out of a tragedy like this. All the pressure I normally feel when working on music is lifted. And I just have this 'f**k it' mentality. People get to really see you in your most bare state and vice versa. That's the beauty in the music I'm making right now. It's just me whipping up whatever I'm feeling. Keeping it minimal has been the key mentality for me and just having fun with it. I used to stress so much about visuals and the message I was sending with my music. I've learned a lot about myself already during the quarantine. And hope to keep this mentality going when all of this is finally over."
The heavenly cover of "Heart-Shaped Box" also arrives alongside a home music video, which features Mark dancing and twerking while on lockdown.
Listen to Mark's rendition of "Heart-Shaped Box" below:
