Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

The accompanying press release describes the Nashville-based singer/songwriter's fifth full length studio album as a collection of songs that take a reflective look at the singer's path to becoming the woman and Christ-follower she is today. In less adept hands, a release with this overriding theme might have been an introspective and self-obsessed affair but this is thankfully not the case here. Thanks to collective skills of Nordeman and fellow Dove Award-winner Tommee Profitt (on co-writing and production duties), this is a refreshingly honest look at life's journey underpinned by the cautious hope that, through experience and God's grace, we become better people as time goes by. The upbeat and self-explanatory title track kicks off proceedings in new country fashion before profound tracks like "Lean" and "Sound Of Surviving" point with sincerity and quiet passion towards relying on God in the midst of adversity. Nordeman is at the top of her game vocally - especially during quieter moments - and her performance on the candid letter to her younger self "Dear Me" and the utterly sublime "Hush, Hush" is completely captivating. In fact, the latter song may well rank as one of the best songs ever written in terms of revealing the true nature of God and is reason enough to buy this album. Only a breathy and underplayed cover of U2's "Beautiful Day" fails to hit the mark on this otherwise accomplished release and, whilst the video of the song recently went viral with over 4.3 million views in 72 hours, ending this life-affirming album with the somewhat gloomy parent to child conversation "Slow Down" left this listener feeling downhearted and flat.

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.

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