Influenced by songwriters Jonny Lang, Gavin DeGraw and Marc Broussard and vocal artists Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Stacy Orrico, the music of Amanda Noelle interfuses playful, soulful, pop rhythms with a depth of real life that resounds with her deep faith: “I want people to know there’s a God who loves them – cares for them – and created them to be amazing.”
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A Beautiful Debut| Posted October 29, 2013 After a few years in the Contemporary Christian band Kimber Rising, Amanda Noelle Wilcox released her solo debut album Beautiful Name on August 20. The album was preceded by the singles "Love Is Greater" and "Beautiful Name."
Opening track "Bigger Than Your Fears" is a wonderful song of encouragement to not live in fear and to know as believers that in Christ we can do anything. God will never fail us or forsake us until the work of the Lord is finished. Amanda faithfully declares in the song, "His arms are strong enough to hold the mountains high and valleys low / Let your faith be bigger than your fears." Amanda has spent time leading worship on the Girls of Grace tour, and her faith in God is evident in every song.
"Lights Out," "All About the Glow" and "Limit" all feature an electronic dance music feel, with a similar message and musical vibe as several recent catchy pop songs released in Christian music like "Battery" by V. Rose, "#LITO" by Press Play and "Dangerous" by Group 1 Crew. "Lights Out" features Group 1 Crew's Manwell Reyes, with a call to "Put Your Hands Up."
"Beautiful Name" is a worship anthem which I've already added to my rotation of my top female led worship songs of the year. I love how passionately Amanda sings the song of believer, "Lord take it all, Knowing that You're here is enough for me / Every tongue will confess at the glory and strength of Your name, Your beautiful name… / Jesus, Oh Jesus, what a beautiful name, Jesus!" Amen to that!
"All About the Glow" is another catchy song with a reference to Matthew 5:15-16 that as believers we can be "all around the world / shining bright so they can see." "Limit" keeps that theme going with how we are called by Jesus to take up our Cross and follow Him, with Amanda declaring, "I want to take it to the limit."
The album closes with two catchy and standout songs, "Love Is Greater" and "Back to You." Both songs showcase Amanda's vocal talent and she bookends her album with a personal crying out to God in "Back to You" with the sincere and worshipful lyrics "I'm giving it all, my heart and my soul, I'm giving it back to You."
Closing Thoughts:
Like her female pop counterparts Britt Nicole, Kerrie Roberts, Mandisa and Natalie Grant, Amanda has strong vocals and you can immediately identify with her catchy and upbeat lyrics. Beautiful Name is an inspirational and upbeat album by promising newcomer Amanda Noelle. She is one of my favorite new female artists. Amanda has an incredible heart for her ministry and an excellent singing voice. "Beautiful Name," "Love Is Greater" and "Back to You" are my favorite songs on the album. If you like the hit songs "Overcomer" by Mandisa and "Hurricane" by Natalie Grant, then you'll want to check out Amanda Noelle.
Amanda Noelle!| Posted August 22, 2013
Although relatively a newcomer, Amanda Noelle, I think, is starting out strong with her debut EP. Having already released a Christmas song with Anthem Lights, and a single from this EP, Amanda could easily become a leading artist in the CCM industry of this decade. With a voice (like one of her inspirations, Beyonce) and sound that is comparable to some Top 40 artists, this EP has the potential to rival them.
Track-by-Track Review
1. Bigger Than Your Fears
Genre: Pop, R&B, Electropop
My Rating: 5/5
Content: This mid tempo song contains encouragement to people to not let fear overcome them and let God take care of it.
2.Lights Out
Genre: Electropop, Dance-pop, Pop rock
My Rating: 5/5
Content: With somewhat of a house pulse, this celebratory anthem declares our duty to shine the light of God in the world.
3.Beautiful Name
Genre: Worship, Pop rock
My Rating: 5/5
Content: This powerful and uplifting song praises God's beautiful name and what he does.
4. All About the Glow
Genre: Dance-pop, Electropop, House, Dubstep
My Rating: 5/5
Content: With a similar message and sound to Lights Out, this song tells believers to shine the light of Jesus everywhere in the world (kinda reminds me of NY2LA by Press Play). :)
5. Limit
Genre: Dance-pop, Electropop, House, Dubstep
My Rating: 5/5
Content This song talks about doing whatever it takes to live for God.
6. Love is Greater
Genre: Electropop, Pop rock
My Rating: 5/5
Content: The first single from the album, this song demonstrates that God's love is so much greater than the fun things we do.
7. Back to You
Genre: Pop rock
My Rating: 5/5
Content: This song sends a message that we should surrender to God and give back to Him since He gave everything for us.
Closing/Average
Average Rating: 5/5
Thoughts: Amanda Noelle delivers strongly with this EP, in both the way of enjoyable sounds and positive, God-uplifting lyrics. This is definitely a must-have.
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