Soaring Above Adversity | Posted August-19-2015 Natasha Owens is no stranger to loss, pain and even depression, which makes it even more powerful when she sings about God's faithfulness through all of life's situations. After the sudden death of her father, Natasha found herself in a place of grief like never before. Only a short time later, she was offered the position of music minister at her church and found that God used the music to bring healing to her broken spirit. That position soon led to recording her first full-length project, which circulated in the music industry and opened some big doors for Natasha's ministry. She's since toured with the likes of Michael W. Smith and Jason Crabb and will appear on TBN's Praise The Lord later this summer.
Her previous album I Made It Through served as restoration and redemption to a difficult chapter in Natasha's life, and now her sophomore release No One But You continues that theme as she praises God for the constant love and peace found in Him alone.
The title track begins the EP with an intriguing sound as she sings out the deeply personal story of her life. Natasha's powerhouse vocals are put on display with "We Will Rise," a song that says there is more to the story than just making it through. "Wings" shows the softer side of Natasha's voice and becomes an anthem of sorts: "it's the fight that makes me strong, put a fire down in my soul / no, I would not change a thing / the same wind that knocked me down gave me wings."
"Move Me" pulls us in to the way Natasha felt after losing her father and how she cried out to God to carry her through this dark time. The song is an encouragement to keep looking up to Christ for strength, no matter what trial we're facing. At a short length of only five tracks, "One Name" ends the album with praise to God for all He is to His children.
Closing Thoughts:
The theme of rising above our circumstances flows constantly through No One But You, breathing hope and inspiration into listeners with every lyric. Natasha's strong and soaring voice carries each song beautifully with conviction behind each word she sings, and produces a promising album. With only five tracks here, we can hope that more music is soon to follow, but one thing is sure: whatever is next from Natasha Owens, it will be something to pay attention to.
Walking Into Something Different | Posted August-06-2015
"Something Different is the album we've always hoped to create. I believe that it captures the passion, energy and musical creativity that we have always longed for people to hear," says Sidewalk Prophets lead singer Dave Frey.
After a three year wait for new music from the Dove Award-winning group, statements like those have built up excitement that the wait will be well worth it. With several successful albums (These Simple Truths, Live Like That) and powerful radio hits already behind them, the band has a strong fan base anticipating the new release. Produced by brilliant creative Seth Mosely, Something Different combines a new and improved sound with incredible talent and genuine hearts to construct one of the best albums this year.
From the opening drum beats of recent single "Prodigal," it becomes clear that this album is one you're going to want to pay attention to. "Wherever you are / whatever you did / it's a page in your book but it isn't the end," the song encourages listeners. The standout track flows into "If You Only Knew," a powerful reminder of the unconditional love and faithfulness of Christ.
The title track proves to live up to its name, introducing new elements into Sidewalk's already-loved sound. Dave's stellar vocals are taken to an impressive next level as he sings out the lyrics preceding a striking outro. "Everything In Awe" provides a truly outstanding moment of worship as the powerful words build to an exploding climax towards the end, much as "To Live Is Christ" does, all while inviting listeners to worship along to truths straight from Scripture.
Fans might recognize yet another standout song, "Sisters And Brothers," from SP's Great Big Family Room Tour earlier this spring. "Impossible" and "Go For It" share a common theme, both using fresh sounds to spur listeners to passionately chase their dreams and trust God with their futures— even the seemingly impossible parts. "Come To The Table" acts as a song of grace, speaking to everyone who has ever felt like they didn't fit in and serving as a reminder that all are welcome in the Kingdom of God.
Bringing a southern-styled sound into the mix, "Ain't Nobody (Till You're Loved)" sends out a message on the importance of giving and receiving love. Upbeat "I'd Rather Have You," inspiring "Soldier On," and gospel-fueled duet with Tamela Mann "Closer" end the album on high notes.
Closing Thoughts:
The Sidewalk Prophets guys have undoubtedly outdone themselves with this release. Something Different is by far their best work yet and definitely raises the bar for other artists. The band obviously worked hard to create something new with this album, and the effort was well rewarded. With creative minds, genius lyrics, outstanding musical chops and faithful hearts to match, I have a feeling this is only the beginning of what Sidewalk Prophets will do. I'm excited to see fan responses as Something Different makes its way into the world, and I'm even more excited to see where this new approach and sound will take the group. When you're capable of making music like this, the sky really is the limit.
A Standout Debut | Posted July-30-2015
An honors engineering major at Texas Tech University, several independent releases, 13 months in Africa doing missions work and a spot on season two of The Voice: all these things make up David Dunn's unique journey thus far. After finding a home with BEC Recordings, Dunn is making his debut with Crystal Clear, an album filled with dynamic melodies, remarkable vocals and memorable hooks.
From the beginning seconds of "It Is Well," it becomes obvious that Crystal Clear isn't your typical CCM album, and David Dunn isn't your typical musician. With a new sound that grabs your attention at first listen, the song plays off the old hymn to create a captivating opener.
Normally by the time a full album hits shelves, the singles have been so overplayed that I'm tired of them, but this isn't the case here. "Have Everything" and "Today Is Beautiful" are both so well-produced and catchy that they're still enjoyable listens even after months of radio play.
Inspired by a C.S. Lewis quote, "Nothing Left" speaks of the vulnerability of love, much like "Six (Waiting For Love)," a standout ballad that will bring you to tears as it tells a powerfully moving story of Christ relating to our suffering. "Ready To Be Myself" is another outstanding moment, combining challenging lyrics with David's stellar vocals for a track that's sure to be on repeat for a while.
"No Matter What" introduces yet another new sound into the mix as it flows to be a perfect fit for the style of the album. "Broken Cathedrals" shows off Dunn's strong songwriting as it opens with the convicting line "the person standing next to you / you don't know what they're going through / so why are we so quick to judge?"
As the chorus of "Clarity" comes alive, it becomes another exceptional moment on the album. Packed with relatable statements and powerful words, "Happy" and "Fade" end the standard album. The deluxe version of the album also includes remix versions of "Today Is Beautiful" and "It Is Well."
Closing Thoughts:
I can't say enough good things about Crystal Clear. From my first listen, I was blown away at the craftsmanship behind each song. From the incredible vocals to the genius songwriting and masterful melodies that find a home in your head for days, this is a debut that stands out as one of the best I've ever heard. David brings a new sound to the table with Crystal Clear, a sound that has been carefully crafted and produced to stand beside that of much more seasoned artists. This is definitely a must-have album, and it's incredible that this is only the beginning for David Dunn!
Statements Of Faith | Posted July-29-2015
While Kristene DiMarco's name may not sound familiar to you, you've probably heard more from her than you think. A faithful part of the worship groups Bethel Music and Jesus Culture, Kristene is the powerhouse vocalist and songwriter behind Bethel's Billboard charting hit "It Is Well." Now stepping out on her own with her very first full length live album, Mighty is overflowing with soaring melodies and passionate worship that will have you singing along to every word.
"Jesus Your Love" sets the tone of worship for the rest of the album, beginning with the anthemic lyric "Your love for me will never change / Jesus Your love." "Eyes On You," a take on the timeless hymn "'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus," sings of faith in both times of laughter and pain. The title track builds into a powerful time of worship, leading to a more intimate moment with "I Will Follow You."
Standout hit "It Is Well" takes the old hymn and beautifully recreates the song before carrying over to an upbeat time of praise, "Song Of Your Love." "Carry Me" sings of the faithfulness of Christ ("it's Your love that keeps me steady and my heart from wandering") and flows into hymn "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms." "Lily's Song," "Wonderful" and "Over And Over" close out the album with strong worshipful moments.
Closing Thoughts:
Lyrically, Mighty is a strong and worshipful effort, but sonically, things often fall short of expectation. With the exception of a few standout tracks, most songs included here sound similar. That being said, this album is still worth a listen because of the power-packed statements of faith made throughout the lyrics. Kristene presented a good effort to us with Mighty, and it leaves me intrigued as to where she'll take her music next.
Deeper Than Words | Posted July-22-2015
GMA 2014 Immerse Conference Female Songwriter/Artist of the Year Aryn Michelle desires more than just a catchy hook in her songs. The powerhouse vocalist longs to use her music to challenge listeners by asking the hard questions with underlying Biblical truth. Aryn wants to create more than a basic surface-level song. Hence the name of her latest Alt-Americana release, Depth.
"Narrow Gate" brings the album to life with southern vibes, setting the tone for "Fight The Good Fight," a duet with Derek Webb. "Nothing Else Matters" brings down the tempo for a moment of worship before leading into the deeply personal "Moses." "Do The Same" tackles the difficult subjects of religion and rules, while up-tempo "Pressing On" sends a positive message of endurance.
Both "Road To Heaven" and the title track put Aryn's stellar vocal ability on display as her voice soars to sing powerful lyrics. "Belong To You" is a standout track at first listen, speaking of how Christ understands everything we go through in this life. Closing out the record, "The Sky Is Falling" is a beautiful acoustic piece that sings of making it through hard times.
Closing Thoughts:
Depth is a well-produced project in which Aryn shows herself as a promising artist with both the strong vocals and passionate songwriting. With lyrics that challenge fans, Depth is much more than just a basic collection of songs. Aryn Michelle has found her voice and is sure to encourage fans with this release.
Continuing The Story | Posted June-22-2015 Jason Gray is a storyteller— and a phenomenal one at that. All of his previous releases are proof of that statement, but perhaps none more than his most recent effort Love Will Have The Final Word. With an incredible ability to speak deep theological truths in such a short amount of time, Jason's brilliant songwriting made that album one of the best I've ever heard. Songs of joy and celebration, songs of grief and brokenness— both sides of life are addressed in Love Will Have The Final Word, which made the record extremely relatable and encouraging to listeners.
Needless to say, fans were excited when Gray announced he would be continuing the story with a new release, Love Will Have The Final Word: Postscript. Acting as a "P.S." of sorts, Jason threw together some remixes and rare b-sides alongside a brand new song to tell the world he still has more to add to the story.
Recently released as his new single, "Glow In The Dark" serves as a cheery encouragement to listeners to let Christ's light shine through them wherever they may be. "Don't be ashamed of your past / if you're shattered like a piece of glass / the more broke you are the more the light gets through," the creative lyricist writes.
Included on this EP are remixes of "Love's Not Done," "Begin Again" and "As I Am," all of which were well loved songs from his last album. With the remixes, Jason adds new elements to something that was already outstanding, making it a special treat for fans of those songs.
Demos "Thank You For Not Forgetting Me" and "Nothing's All I Need" are presented here in a raw acoustic style, proving that Jason's songs are incredible even before production. "One Voice" is a promising track that could possibly find itself as a single in the future.
"Part 2" means the story isn't over yet - as is the case with the remaining tracks, "Even This Will Be Made Beautiful" and "I Believe Help My Unbelief," both moving moments of encouragement and relatable prayer.
Closing Thoughts:
Jason Gray is a talent like none other. With powerful songwriting, a strong voice and a way of conveying deep emotions through a simple three minute song, he's one of the best in the business for reasons like these. Postscript is another successful group of songs and well serves its purpose of getting us pumped up for Jason's brand new full-length album coming in the fall. The story continues…
A Must-Have Debut | Posted June-19-2015 Dan Bremnes might not be a familiar name to you yet, but don't let that stop you from listening to his music. The Canadian artist met the Christian music community with a rare authenticity and talent when his first self-titled EP made a mark on the music scene earlier this year, spawning the hit single "Beautiful" and leading to an opening spot on Crowder's Neon Steeple Tour. Following the EP, which featured six honest songs and introduced us to his stellar songwriting, Bremnes is back to finish the full album. Where The Light Is takes fans through Dan's story of loss and restoration, speaking hope with every line.
Although every song included boasts incredible lyrics and soaring vocals, the strongest moment of all is found as the album opens with the deeply autobiographical title track. "God, come quickly / only You can save me / will You lead me where the light is?" the song cries out.
Previously successful single "Beautiful" follows suit with a powerful beat and lyrics of redemption. Both folk-influenced "Heart On Fire" and acoustic-styled "Born Again" are driven by strong drum tones and showcase catchy melodies.
"Even If" is the only song on the EP that didn't make it to the full-length project. Instead, it's replaced here by a more worshipful moment, "In His Hands," where the bridge tells Dan's story in a beautiful way: "from the moment when my mother died / to the first breath of my baby boy I felt God / oh, He was with me then / through the heartache and in the joy."
"Wide Open" and "Faith Is" continue the pattern of pop beats and have a theme of being open to God's leading - wherever or whatever that may be. "I Am Sure" is another strong addition to the album, featuring bold words of faith and confidence in Christ. A personal favorite, "Over" speaks of the forgiveness and grace that washes away our past when we give our lives to God. "At Your Feet (Surrender)" ends the album with a moment of intimate yet powerful worship.
Closing Thoughts:
Where The Light Is definitely doesn't have the feel of a debut album. From start to finish, this project presents effortless talent and a smooth set of skills like that of a much more seasoned artist. This is impressive to say the least, and Dan really blew away all the first-time stereotypes when making this record. It's an album that's sure to be on repeat for quite a while, and it's also an album I'd be quick to name a must-have. If the beginning is this good, I can't wait to see what comes next from Dan Bremnes.
Shouting God's Praise | Posted June-15-2015
Every December, thousands of people on fire for God pile into Kansas City for the annual Onething conference, hosted by the International House Of Prayer. During the 2014 gathering, artists such as Misty Edwards, Jaye Thomas, Laura Hackett Park, Jonas Park, Jon Thurlow, Justin Rizzo and Ryan Kondo offered their voices to help lead the audience in passionate worship. Their latest album, Shout Your Name, captures the vibrant atmosphere of that special occasion.
Jaye Thomas gets things off to an energetic start with "Famous," a declaration of their faith and dedication to making Christ's name known. Title track "Shout Your Name" sets the tone for worship and leads well into Laura Hackett Park's "In The Presence Of Angels."
Jonas Park makes his appearance on the record with the enthusiastic anthem "We Come (All Blessing)." Jon Thurlow covers the beautiful Kari Jobe song "When You Walk Into The Room," creating a powerful moment of worship.
"I Will Wait" proves to be another moving moment, opening with the line "Jesus, the Lover of my soul / the One who's in control when all the world fails me." "You've Set Me Free," an upbeat song of praise, is led by Justin Rizzo. Easily the best moment you'll find here, "Lift Up Your Head" boasts a bubbly beat and captivating vocals. Misty Edwards ends the album on a tender note of worship with "So Come."
Closing Thoughts:
After hearing this album, one thing is for sure: the Onething conference is made up of artists passionate about praising God's name. They exude joy and energy with each lyric. Those at the 2014 conference had a great time of worship, and those attending the 2015 meeting should be excited for all they have to look forward to. As long as Onething keeps leading, we'll be glad to listen.
Finding A Sound All His Own | Posted June-09-2015
What happens when you mix deep country music roots with a timid love for pop sounds? It seems worship leader-turned-solo artist Joel Vaughn is trying to figure out the answer.
Southern raised and growing up with a strong passion for music, Joel's sound has been evolving since he was a teenager. Three albums in and now more in the mainstream spotlight than ever before, Joel is teaming up with David and Jonathan Thulin to bring us a new self-titled EP.
"Loved By You" displays Joel's effortlessly smooth voice and boasts redemptive lyrics such as "this is grace / this is truth / I don't deserve it / there's no way to earn it / I'm loved by You." Upbeat "In This World" quickly catches your attention and stands out as a favorite with soaring vocals and well-produced background instrumentation. This is a track you're sure to have on repeat for a while.
Slowing things back down, emotional "Remember" uses a powerful melody and lyrics to tug on listener's hearts, much as "Stars" paints a picture of how majestic God is. The last song featured on this short EP, "Don't Lose Hope," features guest vocalist Jonathan Thulin and proves to be the most outstanding track of them all. The two engaging voices work together to produce a deeply moving moment that ends the album on a beautiful note.
Closing Thoughts:
Although I would have liked to hear more songs on this project, what we do get to hear is definitely something worth listening to. Great production, incredible vocals, powerful lyrics: this EP seems to have it all. What the project lacks in length, it makes up for in quality.
If Joel Vaughn isn't a name you're already familiar with, get ready. I have a feeling this is only the beginning of what we're going to hear from him as he continues to find a sound of his own.
Song To Download Now:
"Don't Lose Hope (feat. Jonathan Thulin)" (Get it on iTunes here.)
A Beautiful Story | Posted May-25-2015
Former Press Play vocalist Sada K has returned. Four years ago, a devastating knee injury rocked Sada's world. Multiple surgeries, months of physical therapy and even the brutal task of having to learn to walk again became her reality. Through her recovery, Sada K drew closer to God than ever before, and she decided to walk away from her career with Press Play to pursue being a solo artist.
Her first effort on her own, Long Story Short, hits its mark perfectly, telling her beautiful story of joy, heartbreak and the redemption that brought her to this point in her life.
Opening track "Live Love Laugh" serves as a laidback reminder to enjoy life and thank God for everything we're given. "Dance Through The Fire" kicks into an urban pop beat and encourages listeners to keep fighting through whatever they might be battling, much like the incredibly personal "Stand Up" challenges us to rise up in the face of our struggles. Inspirational "Fly" boasts the empowering lyrics "we were created to fly / You love is giving me life / so spread your wings and soar."
Much like you would expect after hearing her story, this album also includes vulnerable songs that came out of her weakest moments. "Take Me Under," a slower ballad, displays Sada's impressive vocal range and soulful sound. Fittingly, one of the strongest tracks to be found here is called "Strength," an encouraging message to wait on the Lord as He makes us stronger through our pain.
Driven by an elegant piano intro and a powerful beat, "Fix Me" speaks of the redemption Sada found in her story. Follow-up "Broken" is a powerful declaration of her faith in the God who keeps her steady through the hardest times. "All About Love" features her former Press Play co-vocalist and solo artist Jonathan Thulin. The song closes out the album on a high note as the two incredible voices mesh together to sing about the power of love.
Closing Thoughts:
Long Story Short certainly proves Sada K to be a successful solo artist in her own right. Showing off a unique urban and soulful vibe in her music, Sada tells her story in a beautiful way with this album. It may have taken a while for her to get here, but it seems to have been well worth the wait. Long Story Short is a record you definitely want to hear.
CaitlinLassiter_NRT's Music and Book Reviews 
