Reviews of current Christian music.
HOLLYN: One-Way Conversations
Hollyn first came to my attention when I heard her as a featured artist in TobyMac’s “Backseat Driver” from his 2015 This Is Not A Test album. She delivered strong confident vocals and I was surprised to found out that she was still in her teens then. In 2015 She released her EP Hollyn, which features decent tracks like “Steady Me” and her reworking of the Lecrae hit “All I Need Is You”. She has also featured on a number of other albums and last year released her debut album One-Way Conversations (Gotee Records, 2017). Her music is a seamless fusion of R&B and pop, with a twist of hip-hop.
The album starts off with “Can’t Live Without”, a full-bodied mid-tempo track that straightaway sets the standard for the album musically and conveys futility of life without God. The album continues to deliver with the upbeat “Love With Your Life“, which admonishes us to walk the walk and not just talk the talk when it comes to love.
On “Obvious” Hollyn gives God’s perspective on the vanity of running from Him when it’s obvious that our lives don’t work without Him. Other standouts include the affirming “Lovely” – it’s message, that God views us as beautifully and wonderfully made, is timely and very relevant in this age of endemic identity crises amongst the young. The album also features a Capital Kings remix of “Love With Your Life” plus a number of guests artistes including TobyMac and Andy Mineo. It’s a very strong debut album by Hollyn and I look forward to more of such from her. Please click here to sample her music.
TAUREN WELLS: Hills And Valleys
Up until 2015 Tauren Wells was the front man of the successful group Royal Tailor, when he left to pursue a solo career. His lent his ultra smooth voice to TobyMac’s 2015 hit “Feel It” and there is no less groove, passion and power in his solo debut Hills And Valleys (Provident Label Group, 2017).
The versatility of this brother is shown in cuts like “When We Pray”, an uplifting proclamation of the power of prayer, and the slower-paced “Known”, in which Wells affirms that God knows us and yet still loves us warts and all. There’s a hint of the 80s with the funky “Supernatural”, as with a rendition of the Earth Wind & Fire hit “September”. The title track, “Hills And Valleys” has 3 versions on the album and is a mellow offering declaring God to be there with us in the highs as well as the lows of life. A similar theme is followed in the lively “Never Gonna Let Me Go”. Wells revisits his Royal Tailor days with the Latin-flavoured pop track “All My Love” with its message of devotion to God.
Hills And Valleys is an album that delivers quality production, inspiring lyrics and an excellent mix of various styles of music, and so will be popular with many. Please click here to sample his music.
ÀMÌ: Identity
Àmì might be a fairly new name in the world of Gospel Afrobeats, but he is actually an old hand because he previously went by the name of Provabs. Provabs is responsible for songs like “Bless Me Dey Go”, “Imela”, “W.O.YM. (What’s On Your Mind)” and “I Surrender”.
Identity (Ami, 2017) is his new 19-track album and with the various styles of music on it, there is probably something for everyone. One of my favourites is the infectious “Amioluwa” (God’s sign), where Àmì suggests that as God’s children, we have been created to be signs and wonders in the lives of others. Another standout for me is “Talk”, produced by and featuring Laurent Sayz. On this track, Àmì encourages us to confront our challenges and mountains by speaking the Word. There is also the reverential “Take It”, which features Mike Abdul, and the reggae-flavoured “Oh Lord”, with featured guests Protek, Ibk Spaceshipboi and Different Stones.
Whether as Àmì or Provabs he delivers straight-talking, thought-provoking lyrics and rich production sounds, and with Identity, Àmì has managed to reinvent himself while also recapturing the essence of what made Provabs special. Please click here to sample his music.
CHEVELLE FRANKLYN: Set Time
Twelve years after her last release, Chevelle Franklyn has returned with her new album, Set Time (NOW Records, 2017). On this album she introduces African (specifically Nigerian) influences which integrate well with the rich Jamaican reggae sound she is known for. Franklyn refers to the fusion as “Naijamaican” and it includes tracks like “Have You Heard” which is a brilliant medley into which she creatively weaves Midnight Crew’s smash hit “Igwe”. Continuing the Nigerian flavour, she duets with Donnie McClurkin on “I Have A Father” which is another well put together medley of a number of popular Nigerian songs.
She flows in worship on “Worthy Is The Lamb”, an excellent interpretation of the Hillsong anthem, and a reworking of “Peace”, made popular by South Africa’s Lionel Petersen, who also partners with her on the track. Her other guests on the album include Israel Houghton (“Good Shepherd”) and Nigeria’s Frank Edwards (“Fire”). On the whole, this 18-track album delivers several beautiful songs and makes the 12-year wait worthwhile. Please click here to sample her music.
