3 (Ngaiire album)

According to Ngaiire's mission statement, the process of creating 3 started in 2017 with the aim of "extracting unique visual aspects of my culture to present in a contemporary context".

The album was announced on 20 May 2021 alongside the album's third single "Closer"{{Cite web|date=20 May 2021|title=Ngaiire announces third studio album, 3|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/ngaiire-announces-third-studio-album-3-2943845|access-date=16 July 2021|website=NME Australia|language=en-AU|author=Triscari, Caleb}} In an announcement, Ngaiire said "The project was meant to deconstruct people's misconceptions of what a Papua New Guinean is because of how I constantly had to field useless enquiries from white people who wanted to know if we all still ate people or why I was so pretty for a Papua New Guinean." Ngaiire stated that the album "is about letting go and accepting that everyone isn't going to get me". Ngaiire also told The Music this album is about just three things - herself, the people she loves and the country.

"Shiver" was released on 4 October 2019. Ngaiire said "It's about my Aine (grandmother) and how I interact with her memory posthumously. In all the mystery of the afterlife, it's also about the comfort of knowing your ancestors or those that have come before you are still holding you down from the other side."{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/musicnews/ngaiire-shiver-afterlife-aine-grandmother/11559780|title=Ngaiire explores the afterlife in deeply personal single, "Shiver"|website=ABC|date=4 October 2019|access-date=16 July 2021|author=Carr, Debbie}} The song was nominated in the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition.

"Boom" was released on 13 March 2020. Ngaiire said "'Boom' is about all that drama and lust – the glutton of sex and adultery and the debauchery that comes with sexual suppression and colonisation."{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/ngaiire-takes-on-taboos-on-new-single-boom-2624648|title=Ngaiire takes on taboos on new single "Boom"|website=NME Australia|date=13 March 2020|access-date=16 July 2021|author=Martin, Josh}}

"Closer" was released on 20 May 2020. The song is described by Ngaiire as a "sweaty 80s summer love song". The track reflects on how Ngaiire viewed love, sex and dating while growing up in post-colonial Papua New Guinea.

"Him" was released on 15 July 2021 as the album's fourth single. Ngaiire said "It's about a deeply personal conversation that no one dreams of having with the people they love. It's about the legacy of love."{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/ngaiire-releases-new-single-him-from-forthcoming-album-2993646|title=Ngaiire releases new single "Him" from forthcoming album|website=NME Australia|date=15 July 2021|access-date=16 July 2021|author=Triscari, Caleb}}

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = The Guardian

| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}

| rev2 = The Music

| rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}

}}

David James Young from NME Australia said "Though she has never shied from drawing from her own experiences and convictions in the past, Ngaiire's third studio album may well be her most personal yet. The neo-soul artist has crafted an immersive and heartfelt record that touches upon issues of intimacy, diaspora and motherhood. A remarkable, self-assured effort."{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/features/music-features/new-australia-music-albums-ep-august-2021-3008579|title=What's new this month? Here are 10 Australian release picks for August 2021|website=NME Australia|date=August 2021|access-date=7 August 2021}}

Shaad D'Souza from The Guardian said "Tying electronic pop with older traditions, Ngaiire's new release is bright, alive and soulful, reaching back to her roots as it looks to the future"{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/aug/27/ngaiire-3-review-radiant-and-rich-third-album-meets-the-artist-on-her-own-terms|title= Ngaiire: 3 review radiant and rich third album meets the artist on her own terms|website=www.theguardian.com |date= 27 August 2021|access-date=27 August 2021 }}

Guido Farnell from The Music said "Placing her life under the microscope to find lyrical inspiration yields tunes about her dreams, hopes and passions and sees Ngaiire boldly representing everything that she is about. A touch introspective, this album grooves gently to sound of synth heavy arrangements that feel as smooth as audio silk."{{cite web|url=https://themusic.com.au/reviews/ngaiire-3-album-review-guido-farnell/HXsFMTAzMjU/27-08-21/|title=Ngaiire 3|website=The Music|date= 27 August 2021|access-date=27 August 2021 }}

Sydney News called it "A richly produced set of electronic soul songs" and "a pleasure to explore."{{cite web|url=https://sydneynewstoday.com/ngaiire-3-reviews-a-brilliant-and-rich-third-album-meets-artists-on-their-own-terms-music/323043/|title=Ngaiire: 3 reviews – a brilliant and rich third album meets artists on their own terms|website=sydneynewstoday.com|date=27 August 2021|access-date=27 August 2021|archive-date=27 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827152055/https://sydneynewstoday.com/ngaiire-3-reviews-a-brilliant-and-rich-third-album-meets-artists-on-their-own-terms-music/323043/|url-status=dead}}

{{Track listing

| headline = 3 track listing

| total_length = 33:08

| title1 = 3

| writer1 = {{hlist|}}

| length1 = 1:38

| title2 = Shiver

| writer2 = {{hlist|Ngaiire Joseph|Jack Britten|Lanks}}

| length2 = 4:10

| title3 = Shoestring

| writer3 = {{hlist|}}

| length3 = 3:41

| title4 = Closer

| writer4 = {{hlist|Joseph|Britten|Gab Strum}}

| length4 = 3:04

| title5 = Takeover

| writer5 = {{hlist|}}

| length5 = 3:45

| title6 = Moonshine

| writer6 = {{hlist|}}

| length6 = 3:28

| title7 = Akura

| writer7 = {{hlist|}}

| length7 = 1:28

| title8 = Him

| writer8 = {{hlist|Joseph|Britten}}

| length8 = 3:46

| title9 = Boom

| writer9 = {{hlist|Joseph|Britten|Mookhi}}

| length9 = 4:22

| title10 = Glitter

| writer10 = {{hlist|}}

| length10 = 3:46

}}

{{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2021 albums

Category:Ngaiire albums