New Direction, Same Mission
Posted August 26, 2013
By SarahFine_NRT, Staff Reviewer
Lexi Elisha might not be a CCM mainstay quite yet, but she is certainly an artist worth taking note of. Her debut 2011 EP, Let Go, introduced her to the music world as a positive alternative to modern country acts such as Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood, only with a much sunnier message.
That was nearly two years ago, and much has chanced in Elisha's life since then, both personally and professionally. Now a twentysomething spending most of her time on the road performing shows, her heartbeat has become to inspire young girls in a world where they are constantly being bombarded with a fake idea of “perfect.” Lexi's combat weapon of choice? Brutally honest songwriting, and the upbeat melodies to go with it.
Eventually, her newest musical endeavor, picks up where she left off in a sense, tackling tough subjects such as broken relationships, feelings of loneliness, as well as a few brighter moments of God focused encouragement.
Borderline EDM sounding pop was something Elisha experimented with on her debut EP, and it's clear that she's taken an even deeper plunge into the style with the album's first track and single,“I Choose Love.” A fun take on 1 Corinthians 13, the chorus belts out the desire to live a life of selfless love: “Whoa, I choose love, I chose to love You more, more than I love myself / Whoa, I choose love, Your love is enough for my heart.”
“Eventually” gives listeners some of the familiar southern pop sounds Lexi's music is known for, touching on the difficult thoughts that go along with being being a boy's option rather than his priority.
The bubbly “This Heart” tells the tale of a relationship going through the ringer, and how in the end, a human heart just can't be controlled. I don't fully agree with the message of the song, but I give her big props on crafting clever lyrics that could easily garner her mainstream attention: “It's not fair to leave in a place like this, it's not right to say it's over and than steal another kiss / You're not in love with me, you're in love with knowing when you leave me, you'll be missed.”
“Stay” is arguably standout track on the project. A perfect mash-up of both country and pop on the writing front, Lexi's voice shines as she sings the vulnerable lyrics: “I can't believe I thought I'd do this alone, cause when you're gone, it feels so wrong / I finally found what I'm looking for, and I don't wanna be alone.”
“Safest Place” switches things up thematically, becoming a moment of both broken confession and declarative worship to our Creator.
Coming to an end all too soon, the mellow, guitar led “County Line” features the inclusion of some male vocals alongside Lexi's high pitched, soprano offerings. It almost brings to mind something The Civil Wars would've attempted, only with a more lighthearted backbone. The incredible vocals being paired together are enough to make you wonder why Lexi isn't part of a male/female duo to begin with.
Closing Thoughts:
Much like Lexi Elisha's melodic mainstream doppelganger Taylor Swift, it's clear that she's aiming to direct her music in a newer direction. While it still possesses many of the southern sensibilities her last EP had, a more danceable, pop friendly vibe has taken over a majority of her sound. The genre suits her bright voice surprisingly well, but you can't help but miss some of the twangier aspects that made her music what it once was.
Style switches aside, Lexi continues to prove herself as a gifted songwriter with a knack for sharing the honest sentiments of her heart, whether they be bitter and broken, or challenging and inspiring. Eventually, while a concise album, packs a punch that is sure to leave you wondering what's next for this rising female vocalist.
Song To Download:
“Stay” View All Music And Book Reviews By SarahFine_NRT | View SarahFine_NRT's Profile
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