Music Review

MUSICREVIEWS

by heather van allenLH STAFF REVIEWER

FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI

Greatest Hits: The First Ten Years

Francesca Battistelli has released Greatest Hits: The First Ten Years (November 3, 2017). Spanning a decade, the album features the best of what’s fun, jubilant, heartfelt, honest and worshipful about Francesca’s music rolled into one package. Amongst the 15 tracks are popular hits “Beautiful, Beautiful,” “This Is the Stuff,” “Write Your Story,” “He Knows My Name,” “If We’re Honest” and more. The list also includes two new tracks.

Over these 10 years, Francesca has shown a knack for acknowledging God’s role in all aspects of life, big and small. From the everyday little irritations, to our dreams and goals, to figuring out our identities and where we fit in the world, Francesca’s pop-infused vocals bring God directly into every real-life moment. The faith-filled messages she communicates with her clear lyrics are straightforward and uncomplicated, so listeners can easily relate.

Fans of Francesca will enjoy this look back on the best of her first 10 years.

MOUNTIANCITY

Self-titled

Denver-based married couple Dave and Tara Powers, who are also worship leaders, make up MountainCity, artists who are celebrating their love story through music and sharing it with listeners. Combining years of musical experience, the pair brings together a beautiful instrumental and vocal blend to put a fresh spin on the love song genre.

Rather than releasing an album thus far, MountainCity has been rolling out their singles, some of which are covers of familiar songs such as “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (Elvis Presley) and “Somebody Like You” (Keith Urban), one at a time. Since 2016, Facebook Live has been their “venue” for sharing love songs, drawing from a mix of styles, including pop-folk, country, electronic and more, in weekly streaming sessions (Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. mountain time). Individual tracks are also available on the duo’s website.

PLUMB

God Help Me

Titled for her recently released radio single, Plumb’s new EP, God Help Me, is a five-track preview of her next full-length album coming soon (title yet to be announced).

The EP title track captures the overall theme of the record, that we all desperately need God in all facets of life, whether that be in our relationships, parenting trials or just persevering in the day-to-day. Plumb’s upbeat pop style and strong vocals suggest a certain confident resolve behind the message she is sharing, that even in acknowledging our weakness, we can always trust that God is stronger and will help us when we call on Him.

Plumb fans can listen to the God Help Me EP in anticipation of her upcoming album, as well as a touring schedule starting in February and Fight for Her, her soon-to-be-released book about parenting daughters.