Reviewed by Jamie Maxwell

The overall character of this debut from a Southampton-based worship leader is reflective and mellow and the songs are largely slow paced, sparse-sounding numbers. There is a lot of theological depth here, which is expressed in refreshingly original terms, and crucially Haines manages to avoid the usual trap of lifting lyrics directly from Bible passages and forcing them into ill-fitting melodies. Throughout 'But God' interesting harmonies underscore some unusual melodies and rhythms. The first track is strong and manages to wrap up its subject material with a decent hook. There are further high points to be found in "Epignosis" and "Troubled", which is a genuinely touching ballad about God's faithfulness. The songwriting is impressive, but with little dynamic variation the album may struggle to hold the listener's interest throughout. This lack of energy and drive was the biggest negative for me, but overall the songs here are intelligently written.

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.