Reviewed by Steve Hayes

'Even If I Lose' is the official follow up to the 2013 album 'Kairos' from Armond WakeUp out of Ohio. Illect Recordings have long been one of my favourite record labels, producing more crunchy breaks than a breakfast cereal with artists regurgitating the resulting Spirit-inspired rhymes. With some outstanding production matching Armond's passion for God and a project all about God and things working out for good through God, this is a strong album. From the off, we hear Armond's heart in the near boom bap and uplifting "Revelation Is Revolution", challenging Christians to do more than spread positive energy. Musically if this needed defining (or even should be), it has a mostly east coast, slightly underground, soulful and assertive exposition that is lyrically coherent and Biblically cogent. As Armond states, "I need more of you. what you have in store is beautiful" ("Sweeter"). We have a lesson in how Christianity was already in Africa in the track before the Europeans arrived, "God", with Armond poignantly asking "so who's really the slave?" This is also a challenge about how humanity makes gods out of everything except God.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.