On November 26, 2013, singer Tinashe released her third mixtape titled Black Water. It served as a follow-up to her 2012 mixtape Reverie. Black Water carried the same sound PBR&B and alternative hip hop sound from her debut mixtape, but it also touched on new genres like electronica and neo soul.
It was preceded by the lead single "Vulnerable" featuring rapper Travis Scott on November 20, 2013.
I remember when I first listened to this mixtape way back in 2017 on Tinashe's SoundCloud page.
From the title track "Black Water" to the closing song "Ain't Ready", Tinashe has proved to me that she is a force to be reckoned with. I love all of her mixtapes dating back to In Case We Die!
And the fact that she made these mixtapes in her home recording studio, just makes me love her even more as a fan.
My favorite songs from Black Water are 1 for Me, Midnight Sun, Secret Weapon and Black Water.
Thank you, Tinashe, for this wonderful mixtape of yours. I can't wait for you to make more mixtapes, like this one, in the near future.
Make sure that you listen to Black Water on streaming platforms like InGrooves, SoundCloud and Datpiff.
Thank U, Next (stylized in lowercase) is the lead single from Ariana Grande's fifth studio album of the same name that was released on November 3, 2018, through Republic Records.
It is described as a self-empowerment song that talks a lot about some of Grande's past relationships.
She begins on the first verse with, "Thought I'd end up with Sean/ But he wasn't a match/ Wrote some songs about Ricky/ Now I listen and laugh/ Even almost got married/ And for Pete, I'm so thankful/ Wish I could say "thank you" to Malcolm/ Cause he was an angel".
But then, on the chorus lyrics, Grande is very thankful that all of her failed relationships with these guys has helped her as a person to grow singing, "Thank you, next/ Thank you, next/ Thank you, next/ I'm so f***in' grateful for my ex/ Thank you, next/ Thank you, next/ Thank you, next".
The singer also gets very personal on the bridge of the track singing, "One day I'll walk the aisle/ Holding hands with my mama/ I'll be thanking my dad/ 'Cause she grew from the drama/ Only wanna do it once, real bad/ Gon' make that s*** last/ God forbid something happens/ At least this song is a smash".
Ariana's parents divorced when she was only nine years old, so those lyrics on the track have sentiment value to the singer. Also, the "god forbid" part could be a nod to when Pete Davidson joked on SNL in September about them breaking up with saying "God forbid".
Overall, I love, love, love Thank U, Next. Ariana has never done a breakup song before and for that, she did a very good job of that. I have never heard sound this good until I listened to Thank U, Next by Miss Grande.
Okay, Arianators. I need all of you to make sure that you go and stream "Thank U, Next" on all streaming platforms like iTunes, Spotify, Tidal and so on. There is a chance that Ariana could have her first number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart by next week! @ArianaTodayNet is holding a streaming party for "Thank U, Next today at 5pm.
So excited to announce that I have just finished publishing my first story on Wattpad! It's called This Is My Story and tells the story of a 17 year old boy named Tyler Johnson who has autism. He then finds that he has been given a chance to let his voice be heard after winning a writing contest. It talks about diversity, acceptance and being true to yourself.
You can check out the first chapter right now. Here's the link:
Have you heard of Lauren Daigle before? For those of you who don't know who she is, then let me tell you more about her. Lauren Daigle is a contemporary Christian music singer who was born in Lafayette, Louisiana. She grew up in an environment filled with zydeco, blues and Cajun music. Lauren made a name for herself when she released her debut EP How Can It Be in 2014 and the album of the same name in 2015. She has been signed to the label Centricity Music since 2013.
Daigle was named one of Christian music's break-out artists, and her first single How Can It Be was named by iTunes as one of the top Christian songs in 2014. The album peaked at number one on the Billboard Christian Albums Chart for six weeks. Eighteen months later, it achieved a Gold Record Status. Additional singles from How Can It Be like First and Trust in You was at number one on the Billboard Christian Airplay Chart for seven and eight weeks, respectively.
She would go on to win six Dove Awards in both 2015 and 2016, two Billboard Music Awards, two Grammy nominations, and an American Music Award for Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist in 2017. She currently took home the same award at last night's 2018 American Music Awards.
On October 21, 2016, Daigle release her second album titled Behold: A Christmas Collection. It was her first Christmas album that she had done. A Deluxe Edition of Behold will be released on November 2, 2018 and will include three extra songs.
She was also chosen to sing the song, Almost Human, for the Blade Runner 2049 soundtrack in 2017.
On September 7, 2018, Daigle released her third studio album Look Up Child through Centricity Music.
It was spawned by the lead single You Say which was released on July 13, 2018. It became Daigle's third number one single on the Hot Christian Songs Chart and debuted at No. 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
You can purchase the song on Amazon Music, iTunes and Spotify:
You can also check out the music video for "You Say" right here:
Look Up Child debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 with 115,000 copies, of which 103,000 were pure album sales. It marked as the highest-charting album by Daigle, and the highest-charting Christian album overall since Hard Love by Needtobreathe reached No. 2 on the chart back in 2016.
Lauren Daigle has proven to be an inspiration to young fans everywhere. Her husky and soulful voice has been compared to singers like Adele and Amy Winehouse. She was named by music critics as "Christian music's Adele" after the release of her Look Up Child album. An article for Rolling Stone said that she's "bigger than Drake and Ariana Grande". Her musical genre is Contemporary Christian Music, but sometimes, she likes to mix it up with different genres like soul, reggae jive, jazz, pop and orchestra music.
Lauren Daigle is the singer that you need in your life. This girl has proven to be a force to be reckon with. I recommend that you listen to all of her albums that she has released and hear for yourself why she is "Christian Music's Adele" right now.
In fact, make sure that you listen to Look Up Child on Amazon Music, Spotify, iTunes, Google Play and on her official website:
Tori Kelly is a California-based singer who has made a name for herself with her debut album Unbreakable Smile in 2015.
She has also released two extended plays titled Handmade Songs by Tori Kelly in 2012
and Foreword in 2013.
Not only can she sing pop and acoustic music, but she can also sing gospel. On September 14, 2018, Kelly released her second studio album titled Hiding Place. It is Tori's first ever gospel project.
Then on September 28th, two weeks after the release of her album, she unveiled the Hiding Place 8-day devotional plan for the Bible app. This plan was written by Tori Kelly herself and it's based off of the songs from her album of the same name. I started on this plan by Tori on September 29th and completed it on October 6th. Each day as you read her devotionals, you will see a different song by Tori that is featured on her gospel album. Then, she goes into some very personal details about herself like how she dealt with not knowing who she is as far as her identity, the feeling of loneliness, being rejected from different record labels, learning how to show love in a world like this, etc. But through it all, God helped Tori out of some difficult times and let her know that she is his "masterpiece".
I hope and pray that when you read Kelly's testimony, that you will be moved by her words and also feel the need to know that God is with you all the time. When you don't have the answers to life's questions, ask Him. If you are going through an identity crisis or feeling lonely, listen to what God says about you through His word. Whether you are listening or reading His word, you have the power and authority to believe that you are His beloved and not give in to the devil's lies. Not today, Satan!
Support Tori Kelly by reading her new Hiding Place: 8-Day Devotional Plan on Bible right now:
Michelle Williams is probably best known for her rise to fame as a member of the girl group Destiny's Child, but what you didn't know is that the singer found herself paralyzed with "What's next?" anxiety. But God still had plans for Michelle. Williams has since continued to receive critical acclaim, honors and awards in her solo career so far. She is a singer-songwriter, Broadway actress, designer, entrepreneur, TV host and more. In this exclusive 3-day devotional plan on Bible, Williams will inspire you with three pillars of biblical truth that helped lifted her out of that anxiety and depression - into the abiding faith, hope and joy that she enjoys today.
I read this plan by Michelle Williams on September 17th and finished on September 20th while also giving it a rating of five stars. I don't know that Michelle went through anxiety and depression like she talked about on some of the video devotionals before she starts to share some of her favorite scriptures. Like Psalms 28:7, Matthew 6:25-33, Jeremiah 29:11, Philippians 4:8 and so many more.
Overall, I enjoyed this devotional plan and would recommend this for anyone who is going through anxiety or depression or both to just listen to Michelle Williams' testimony about how God helped out of a rough time.
Make sure that you read Anxiety & Depression: Finding Hope with Michelle Williams on the Bible app now and be inspired by it just like I was:
Sadie Robertson is a motivational speaker, best-selling author and is one of the stars of the A&E show Duck Dynasty. She has an all-new 4-day devotional plan on the Bible app titled Live Fearless based on her book of the same name. It also features exclusive video content as well. Join Sadie as she will both inspire and encourage you, as each day she shares one of her favorite Bible passages, then challenges you to push through you fears and anxieties, to break into the life of purpose that God has for you.
I started the Live Fearless plan on February 21st and completed it on February 25th on the Bible app. So, here is my take on it. Robertson goes into details about how God created you, wrote your story and also extends His words and His love to lead you. God may tug or pull you from one direction, while it's vital to fully embrace the next move with confident, knowing that He is pushing you into the path He has created for you. Then, there was another thing that I liked about Sadie. At the end of the devotional, she had these three questions to ask yourself. They are:
1. Whose voice is the loudest in my life?
2. Whose lead is strongest in my life?
3. What's my idea of winning?
Those are some tough questions that we need to think about for ourselves. And her faith as a strong, purposeful young woman, deeply grounded with God is so on point with this plan. She quoted so many Biblical scriptures like 1 Corinthians 15:57, Psalm 46, Revelation 4:8 and so I rated this five stars after its completion. So, anyone who is going to fears or anxiety should definitely read this plan by Sadie Robertson. I also recommend that you purchase her book Live Fearless: A Call to Power, Passion and Purpose where she talks about inspiration for the younger generation who are holding themselves back through fear, anxiety and loneliness.
Make sure that you read the Live Fearless with Sadie Robertson on the Bible app now:
Today, I am going to talk you about Kari Jobe's Heal Our Land devotional plan based on the song from her 2017 album The Garden. It is a 4 day bible plan is available on the Bible app. The app is free to download and can be purchased on Amazon, iTunes, Microsoft Windows and Google Play. Here are the links for it:
You can also use the app for voice with Amazon Alexa by enabling Bible on your Amazon devices or use the Amazon Alexa app to set up the Bible skill. Here is an article (that you can read below) on youversion.com that talks more about how to use it:
In the devotional, Kari talks about the process of how Heal Our Land came to be by sharing some of its lyrics while also showing you some encouraging scriptures for anyone who needs them in their walk with God. One of the scriptures is 2 Chronicles 7:14 which is where she got the inspiration for Heal Our Land. It reads:
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn away from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sins and heal their land".
I started on this plan on the Bible app on September 24h and finished it on September 28th. And I was really moved by what Kari was preaching on each day of the plan. She said that the song is a "beautiful reminder" and that is about how God is the one who heals, restores and makes us whole. Our God is both merciful and gracious. In Psalm 23:6, David writes about "His mercy follows us all the days of our live" and in James 2:13, it reads that God's "mercy triumphs over judgment". I hope that when you read the "Heal Our Land" devotional and take the time to digest God's living Word, not only will you be inspired like I was, but you will also take hold of all of the marvelous things that God is. A redeemer, reviver, healer and so much more. I also recommend that you listen to the song along with this plan, so that you can further meditate on this while you read. I rated it five stars after I completed it.
Make sure that you, my friends, read Kari Jobe's Heal Our Land devotional for yourselves and prepare to be amazed by the power of our Almighty God. Here's the link for it:
Breathin is a song by singer Ariana Grande from her fourth studio album Sweetener. It was sent to US contemporary hit radio on September 18, 2018, serving as the album's third single. The song speaks about anxiety and how your breathing is affected when you're suffering from it. It is also based on Grande's own experience with anxiety.
Grande opens up the song with, "Some days, things just take way too much of my energy/ I look up and the whole room's spinning/ You take my cares away/ I can so over-complicate, people tell me to medicate", then she moves on to the pre-chorus with the lyrics, "Feel my blood runnin', swear the sky's fallin'/ How do I know this fabricated?/Time goes by and I can't control my mind/ Don't know what else to try, but you tell me every time". The singer finds herself saying these words for encouragement singing, "Just keep breathin' and breathin' and breathin' and breathin'/ I know I gotta keep, keep on breathin'/ Just keep breathin' and breathin and breathin' and breathin'/ I know I gotta keep, keep on breathin'".
I love the meaning of this track because it talks about how anxiety makes us feel inside and for Ariana to write and sing a song about this, is just so relatable once you listen to it. This is actually one of my favorites off of Sweetener. I am so glad that she finally released this as the third single from her album.
Make sure that you stream Breathin' on Spotify, iTunes & YouTube:
She released two singles off the album titled Crane In The Sky and Don't Touch My Hair featuring Sampha along with the music video for each track. You can check out the videos down below:
I remember listening to the A Seat at the Table album on Google Play in 2017. Cranes In The Sky is one of my favorite songs by Solange so far. I didn't know that Solange can sing really good and I'm so glad that NerdGirlMax introduced me to her album because if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be talking to you guys about Solange or her iconic album on the two anniversary of its release.
Thank you, Solange Knowles for blessing us with this amazing album A Seat at the Table and its songs like Cranes In The Sky and Don't Touch My Hair. You are an inspiration to young and inspiring black girls like me. I can't wait for you to release the follow-up to it in the future.
Make sure that you buy/stream A Seat at the Table on Amazon, Apple Music, Spotify & Google Play
On September 22, 2017, R&B singer Jhene Aiko surprise released her second studio album Trip. It was spawned by four singles: While We're Young, Hello Ego featuring Chris Brown, Sativa and Never Call Me. Before the album's release, Aiko dropped a 23 minute film of the same name on September 21, 2017. She also wrote co-directed alongside Girls Trip co-writer Tracy Oliver. In the film, Penny (Jhene Aiko) is trying to deal with her brother's death, but she instead meets a stranger who tries to help her cope using drugs. You can check out Trip (The Movie) in its entirely on Aiko's official YouTube channel or on her website. Here are the links for it:
Also on the same day, she released a three minute spoken word piece titled "MAP Mission" on her SoundCloud page. On the project, she talks about the loss of her brother, her previous works and her inspiration in this chapter regarding her singing career. You can listen to it now by clicking on the link:
Let me just say that I love Jhene Aiko and her message on MAP Mission where she talked about the death of her brother. I never knew that her brother meant so much to her and you can really hear Aiko's pain as she goes on about her personal struggles with drugs. Jhene Aiko, I love you and keep doing what you're doing with your music. Thank you for being such an inspirational to me and to all of your fans by taking us on a journey with you through the grief, loss and heartache regarding the death of your brother. Stay strong, Jhene. Rest In Peace, Miyagi. 🙏
Hiding Place is the third song by singer and actress Cait Fairbanks that was released on May 8, 2017. She released it onto SoundCloud for free. The track lasts for four minutes and thirty-nine seconds. It's a guitar driven song that finds the singer talking about how much that she has tried to help her partner. And if he decides to run away, she wants him to take her with him. Fairbanks begins on the opening verse with, "I built you up like a tower and you fell/ In the dark, you're devoured by yourself/ Screaming "I'm out of air"/ You're silence/ Do you want me to follow you down?/Where you go when you walk in the shadows?/ Where you go when you want to be alone?/ I don't know how to help if you run away", and then goes to the chorus with the lyrics, "Can you take me with you when you go?/ Can you take me with you when you go?/When you go/ Anywhere I don't care, just leave me there/ Through the thick and smoke, no matter where/ Can you take me with you when you go? When you go". The singer also gets very personal on the second verse with, "I tried from the wreckage, what I could/ I tried smooth out the edges into something good/ Tell myself that it's worth the effort/ Tell myself that it's getting better/ Now I know where you walk in the shadows/ Where you go when you want to be alone/ I don't know how to help if you run away".
I love Hiding Place by Cait Fairbanks. This was one of the first three songs that I listened to by her on SoundCloud. I'm so glad that I discovered Cait Fairbanks so that I can share with you all on who she is and why you should listen to her music. It is also one of my favorite tracks by her. Overall, I give Hiding Place a 10/10.
Make sure that you give Hiding Place a listen for yourself on SoundCloud or buy it on Last.fm now:
Digging My Own Grave is the debut single by singer Cait Fairbanks that was released on March 4, 2016. The track is scheduled to be on Fairbanks' upcoming debut EP. Digging My Own Grave has been described as an "dark indie pop song" that talks about a "modern tale romance that has gone horribly wrong". Here is an excerpt of what the actress had to say about the song in an 2016 interview with broadwayworld.com:
"I was inspired to write 'Digging My Own Grave' because of a life experience dealing with someone that I knew was bad for me, but I did it anyway. We've all done things that we regret, but we learn lessons from them, and that's kind of what this song is about. "Digging My Own Grave' was the first song that I wrote that I really felt reflected who I wanted to be as an artist. That's why I wanted it to be my first single".
She begins on the first verse with, "I see the carnage you left behind/ They're crawling to you and so am I/ I see destruction when I look behind/ I won't look back, I'm hypnotized/ You've got me with those eyes", and then she sings on the chorus, "And it feels like I'm digging my own grave/ Is it heaven?/ Is it safe?/ I know/ And it feels like I'm digging my own grave/ Is it heaven?/ Is it safe?/ I know/ You got me, you got me where you want me/ You got me, you got me where you want me, now/ You got me, you got me where you want me/ You got me, you got me where you want me, now".
So, here is what I think about Digging My Own Grave. I have listened to different kinds of music, but I have never heard of dark indie pop before. The way that Cait took on that kind of genre was just flawless and amazing at the same time. I give this song five stars because I could really feel the story that Fairbanks was trying to tell about a bad relationship.
Make sure that you buy/stream Digging My Own Grave on Spotify, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, YouTube, Shazam, Last.fm, CdUniverse and iTunes:
Fight or Flight is the standalone song by singer Cait Fairbanks that was released on July 13, 2017, through CatBeach Music. It was written by Fairbanks, Robert Howard Hartry and Daena Jay Wienand. On Fight or Flight, the singer finds herself wanting to tell her lover how she really feels him. She is also contemplating on whether she should fight her feelings or lean more towards her partner, so that she can "flight". Fairbanks opens the song with, "Never been the one to trust/ Never felt the need to stay/Always on the run/ Chase the sun, no names/ Wish that I could tell you why/ Everytime you read your... I'm shaking/ Trying to find, taking flight, breaking", then she goes to the pre-chorus with, "But you won't let me go/ You won't let me". On the chorus, Cait says that she is trying to learn to trust on her mate singing, "Even when I tried/ Even when I wanted to/ You won't let me give up, give up holding on to you/ Everytime I fall/ You're the voice that carries through/ I'm still learning, learning, learning how to count on you". First of all, I love Cait Fairbanks and her music. Her voice just blends right into the song. The meaning of Fight or Flight is so beautiful. I love songs that tells a story within the lyrics and Cait, my friends, did just that. I give Fight or Flight a 10. I wish that she would release more songs! I can't get enough of her music.
Buy/stream Fight or Flight on Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Play, Shazam, iTunes, SoundCloud & YouTube:
With Me is the standalone single by singer Cait Fairbanks that was released on November 17, 2017, through CatBeach Music. It was written by Fairbanks herself along with Bob Hartry and Daena Wienand. It runs for two minutes and twenty seven seconds. The track is a soft pop song with an acoustic guitar playing in the background as Cait sings about her partner being there for her through the ups and downs in life. She sings on the beginning, "When I'm in the shadows, stuck in my mind/ You break the darkness and cast it inside/ Looks like I can't leave/ With me on the good days/When I'm in my worst, and the darkest rises/Only if you're with me/ Even when it hurts and I want to hide/ I know you're with me/ Woah, uh, oh/ Woah, uh, ohhhh/ I know you're with me". Then she goes to the next verse with, "When I see the valleys, you see the high/ So unafraid of/ The doubts that I find/ Standing beside me/ With me unrelenting".
So, here is what I think about With Me. The song is very different, but yet at the same time, It's also personal for the singer when she talks about her darkest moments. Overall, I love Cait Fairbanks because she is a very talented artist with a beautiful voice. I can't wait to hear more music from her in the future. I give this song a 10/10.
You can stream/listen to With Me on Spotify, SoundCloud, ITunes, Shazam, Deezer, Google Play, Amazon Music, YouTube and last.fm:
If you don't know who Cait Fairbanks, then listen up. Cait Fairbanks, whose real name is Caitlin Baunoch, is an actress and a singer-songwriter from New York City. She started acting when she was eight years old and has since performed in over 20 professional, community and regional theatres for over 10 years. She is best known for her role in the 2014 broadway production Heathers the Musical.
Echoes was released on August 30, 2016 on SoundCloud for free. It was the second song that the singer had released after her debut single Digging My Own Grave for her upcoming debut EP. The track is two minutes and 41 seconds long. It's described as an "pop rock" song that talks about hearing echoes inside your head to the point where you don't want to let go of a lost love. She opens the song on a very dark note with, "Leave me with a kiss, you haunt me/ Leave me with a spell of wanting/ I don't know what you'd do/ Sunk your teeth, now I'm bruised/ Left me in the dark, I'm searching/ Burning out the walls, I'm hurting/ I don't know what you'd do/ Gave me love, but now I'm bruised/Everywhere I go, I see you", and then goes to the chorus, "All I hear are echoes, echoes of your love/ All I don't wanna let go, let go of your love/ I don't wanna be so lonely/ I don't wanna be so lonely/ Echoes, echoes, I'm in love/ I don't wanna let go, let go of your love".
So, I listened to Echoes last night on SoundCloud while I was doing my blog. And I absolutely love this along with Digging My Own Grave and Hiding Place (which I will do a review on those songs later). The production and the writing is spectacular. I give this song a 10/10. Cait also released a music video for Echoes on Vimeo which can be viewed by click on the link below:
Hiding Place is the second studio album by California singer Tori Kelly that was released on September 14, 2018, through School Boy Records and Capitol Records.. It is primarily a gospel album with influences of R&B and jazz music. The album also features collaborations from Kirk Franklin, Christian rapper Lecrae, Jonathan McReynolds and The HamilTones. The title, Hiding Place, is based off the scripture of Psalm 32:7 where it reads:
"You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with songs of deliverance."
Masterpiece (featuring Lecrae)
Masterpiece is where both Tori and Lecrae talk about God making one into a masterpiece, benefits from struggle, and clinging to God in times of trouble. Kelly sings on the first verse,
"When You look at me
Do You see a work of art in the making? Sketch of what I'll be I wonder what You see in me Like what do You think? When my life is not a melody in the morning And I feel off key, yeah Do You still believe in me? Like a symphony, hey You know how to make all things work together Crazy how mistakes can be miracles in disguise",
and then Lecrae exchanges his verse on the third verse with,
"Uh, now you know that you're a masterpiece
You probably feel like a catastrophe You think I'm totally kidding but hold up a minute Don't compare yourself with none of them You one of one and ain't no synonym A Master Artist take a mess and make a masterpiece And look at you, you been a gem (facts) Shinin'".
Help Us to Love (featuring The HamilTones)
Tori collaborates with the singing group The HamilTones on this mid gospel track where they tackle on the bad things that they deal with in the real world while asking God to help them to love. They sing together on the chorus,
"There's a love so high (that you cannot get over)
That same love's so wide (it'll take forever just to get round it) But love died somewhere Behind that cross you wear, you're afraid when you look at me That ain't real love Not the kind from above, hmm",
and then move on to the next verse with,
"But there's a friend of mine (that stays closer than a brother)
Oooh, love laid down his life (so why do we still fight one another?) All this hate I see on the TV screen In my country ‘tis of thee God help us to love, to love the way that you love me Hmmm, God help us to love the way that you love me, oh oh".
Kelly comes on the bridge with something that we can all relate to when she sings,
"This world is weeping, hurting, broken and begging for change
Oh yeah But still we marching, praying, dying, and things stay the same When will we see? Till everyone's free There'll never be peace between you and me God, your love is the cure For the rich and the poor God, please will you open our eyes?"
Here is the live music video for Help Us to Love if you're interested:
Sunday
Sunday finds Tori being tired of trying to mask her pain from the people of the church singing,
"When the world looks at me
I wonder what they see Underneath these eyes Oh, smiles masquerade as pain And grow up to be shame Then leave me with a lie",
and then goes to the chorus with,
"I know they, they don't see my flaws
Or these hidden scars And all the mess I've made Oh, so don't, don't let Sunday fool ya Here's my hallelujah Every single day, I'm running to Your grace Ey, ey, ey".
Tori also released the live music video for Sunday. You can check it out below:
Just As Sure (featuring Jonathan McReynolds)
Just As Sure marks the first collaboration for Tori Kelly and Jonathan McReynolds as they talk about going through the dark times. But despite all of this, God still loves them both as Kelly sings on the chorus,
"Just as sure as winter fades
And then it turns to spring I believe deliverance, will surely come for me Just as sure as my heart Will someday be made anew I know You love me Just as I do love You Mmm, just as I do love You",
then Jonathan comes in with his verse,
"Just as sure as the test
Is there to make me perfect in Your eyes It may hurt for a while But by faith I shall survive Just as sure as the rain Falls on me only to make me grow No matter how I feel Now I live by what I know".
I love how both Tori and Jonathan's voices come together like a harmony on the bridge with,
"I love You and I trust You
'Cause You know what's best for me
And even though the crowd sometimes gets loud And it's hard to hear You speak (Hear You speak) Just as sure as Your grace Is faithful even when my faith I lose I know You love me (I know You love me) Just as I do love You
I love You and I trust You 'Cause You know what's best for me Even though the crowd sometimes gets loud And it's hard to hear You speak, oooh Just as sure as Your grace Is faithful even when my faith I lose I know You love me Just as I do love You Just as I do love You".
Here is the live music video of Just As Sure:
Psalm 42 is an inspirational piano driven track where the singer shares the message of one's heart striving for God. It's based off the biblical scripture Psalm 42. She opens up with,
"There's a quiet place
That gives me peace when I'm alone with You There's a hiding place Your Spirit's always there when I'm confused Only You can purify All this world won't ever satisfy My heart, it cries".
The chorus serves as a prayer for the singer and also contains a reference to Psalm 42:1-2 as she sings, "As the deer pants for the water/ So my soul needs you Lord/ When thirsty God, you're the living water/And my soul needs you Lord/ I need you, Lord/ I need you, Lord/ I need you, Lord/ I need you, Lord".
Live music video for Psalm 42 here:
Questions is the sixth track in which the singer has some questions for God about the bad stuff that is happening in the world right now singing,
"What happens when the healing never comes?
Do we stand and curse the heavens
Or lift our hands and feel the sun The mystery's not clear Just once, Your voice I'd love to hear What happens when the healing never comes",
and then goes to the fourth verse with,
"So now I must be silent
Your voice is in the wind The hands that made the heavens Will heal the storm within I have so many questions I don't know where to begin Since You were there at the beginning You already know the end".
Never Alone (featuring Kirk Franklin)
Tori taps Gospel singer Kirk Franklin as the singer sings about how she is not alone during the times of struggles because God is on her side. She begins on the first verse with,
"In my time I've travelled some roads
A rolling stone Nowhere feels like home And I've seen people come, then they go Life is just a story of some highs and some lows",
and then continues with,
"I've cried many rivers
I've walked through some pain I've seen my world crumble And I'll carry the shame But I know somebody, He calls me His own I can hear heaven singing out Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone Oh-oh-oh, you're never alone".
Soul's Anthem (It Is Well)
Soul's Anthem (It Is Well) serves as the closing track for Hiding Place. On the track, Tori asks God to show him his ways to her like how to love him or trust him. She sings,
"Teach me how to love you
Show me how to trust you
More than with my words or with a song
No, it's not been easy To live life down on my knees But with faith I know I'll carry on",
but through the hardship, she says on the chorus with,
"There is more to see than with my eyes
But fear sometimes can leave me paralyzed I realize that I'm not in control Yet it is well with my soul".
I listened to Tori Kelly's new album the day that it was released and I ultimately fell in love with from beginning to end. Tori has really stepped it up with Hiding Place by mixing gospel music with R&B and jazz with tracks like "Sunday" or "Soul's Anthem (It Is Well). I would definitely recommend that you buy this album and let Tori help you to have a closer relationship with God like never before! I give Hiding Place a 10/10. All songs on the album are perfect. The production from singer Kirk Franklin on this project is amazing.
Make sure that you stream/purchase Hiding Place on Amazon Music, Google Play, iTunes, Spotify, Tidal, Pandora and Walmart:
You can also go and see Tori on the Hiding Place tour by purchasing your tickets from her website or Live Nation right now. Here's the link for it: http://www.torikellymusic.com/#/tour
Also, check out Tori Kelly's video for the White Chair film titled I Am Second where she talks about how she overcame her struggle with identity with the help of Jesus. You can watch it here below:
Here is the website for the I Am Second film starring Tori Kelly:
