October sixteenth of this year, new and up-coming artist Hollyn released a six song EP self-entitled Hollyn.
She was featured on TobyMac’s latest album This Is Not A Test (on the songs: Backseat Driver and Light Shine Bright) and my sister and I were really, really impressed with her voice and then looked her up – but were disappointed to find that she hadn’t done anything else before that. 🙁
So we were super excited when we found out that she had released an EP. Our whole family has been enjoying it for months now and can’t wait till she releases her next album. 😀
Hollyn
Track 01: Alone (feat. TRU) is the most popular of all the songs (according to iTunes) and I must say that it is my favorite as well.
In the song she talks about how she has strayed away from Jesus saying, “Fell for You first day that I met You, never dreamed that I ever could forget You— but black and white make a mess when it turns to gray.”
She is asking Jesus to come back to her telling Him, “Don’t leave, leave, leave me alone, bust down the door of my heart like it’s Your home— don’t need no keys, I’m on my knees begging You please, I gotta settle this thing once and for all You got my heart, my soul You can have it all.”
TRU’s rap says, “I thought I had You in my heart but I guess I relaxed like I’m living for the wrong reasons through the seasons.”
It’s all about how we stray, sometimes without even realizing it and then go back to Him begging Him to not leave us alone.
It’s a hip-hop song, has great lyrics, TRU’s rap in the middle is awesome and well, her voice is just dang gorgeous.
[Video via YouTube]
Track 02: A cool cover of Lecrae’s All I Need Is You (on his album entitled Anomaly).
The song talks about how all we need is Jesus and it’s a really great song.
“You ain’t gotta question my allegiance, the way You love me I could never leave You, I need You. By my side, thick n’ thin, highs and lows, don’t let go.”
The song is hip-hop rap and she did a really good job covering it – she can rap, man. She’s got so much talent – her voice is to die for and she’s using it so well. This song is one of my faves on this album.
Track 03: Hey Mama is a song about being far from home and having a hard time and just wanting to talk to your mom.
“Hey, mama, so many questions on my mind and if I could go back, oh I would hold the hand of time. Hey mama, never thought I’d lose my way but all I really want right now is to hear what you would say. You’d say ‘Baby hold on, after the dark comes the dawn and there’s a new sun risin’, a new sun risin’.”
This is a slower song, dedicated to her mom and it really captures the mood and tone of the lyrics– slow and kind of blue. Sometimes we feel blue and just need a nice long talk with mom.
Track number four: Nothin’ On You, is a song that samples a little bit from Amy Grant’s song Baby, Baby (on her album Heart In Motion) and it has the sound of some old school Christian music like what my mom used to listen to when she was my age.
“When we get together we pop off like 4th of July, and when we’re apart I can still see the lights in the sky. Oh, I’ve been around and around the world and I’ll never find, anything better – ‘Cause they ain’t got nothin’ on You.”
I think that this song is about how Jesus has always been with her and how she’s never found anyone like Him.
“We’ve been kicking’ since before pre-K and until now You’ve always stayed with me – every day with me.”
Since she asked Him into her heart until now He has never ever left her. It’s a wonderful testimony, a good reminder on how He never leaves us and is all around a great song.
[Video via YouTube]
She’s got so much talent – her voice is to die for and she’s using it so well.
Track 05: Steady Me (feat. Aaron Cole) is another slow song and it talks about how she just needs Jesus to steady her.
“I’m ready in my heart for everything that’s coming my way, help me trust that You’re ahead of me goin’ before my view with every step I take.”
Looking towards the future can be very un-steadying and we need Him to steady us because after all, He goes ahead of us.
“Only You can calm the storm and only You can restore me when I’m wan, steady me, only You can steady, steady me, me, me.”
She finds that only He can steady her truly and fully. Life overwhelms all of us at one time or another and it reminds us that He’s there (thank goodness).
Track 06: Mine is one of my other faves (who am I kidding, they’re all my favorite, LOL).
“You brushed me off and called me love, showed me I am Yours and You are mine, Jesus You are mine. I know that I’m unworthy, completely undeserving, I’m amazed, I’m amazed that I am Yours and You are mine.”
I love the lyrics of this one, full of wonder over His love for us. We’re unworthy but He “brushes us off and calls us love.”
The Verdict
Hollyn is now a recording artist with Gotee Records and will hopefully continue making great hip hop music.
She just finished her first tour, the This Is Not A Test tour with Tobymac, Colton Dixon, and Britt Nicole. She will be back on tour next Spring and in February she will be doing concerts again, you can check out her schedule here.
Her EP is available on both iTunes and Amazon.
Speak your mind...