Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

This independent release from Essex singer/songwriter Hannah Phaup is a collection of 10 Bible-based songs that reflect the artist's experiences as a Christian. Thankfully Hannah refrains from falling into the trap of becoming too insular by peppering personal faith songs with the likes of the opener "I Am The Lord", "Carry You" and "Surrender To My Love" which speak from God's perspective and allow this album to reach out as well as in. Plumping for a fairly standard instrumental set up of keys, acoustic guitar, bass and drums, Hannah's backing band - including herself on piano - do a competent job but more variety in terms of pace and additional instrumentation is required to keep things interesting. Hannah Mary communicates her heartfelt lyrics with a consistently pure singing voice that is most at ease during occasional forays into the lower octaves but, again, more variety in terms of delivery would certainly benefit proceedings. The closing track - the poignant and beautiful strings-laden "Carefully Constructed" - offers up something refreshingly different to what's gone on before.

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