Independent
Release Date: June 3rd 2014
Reviewed by Joshua Andre
Chayah Miranda– Alive And Unplugged (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Higher
- He Loves Me
In April 2014, new artist Chayah Miranda took listeners and critics by storm, and in my opinion created a near flawless debut album called No Other Way, that has me drawing comparisons with Rachael Lampa and Jaci Velasquez. With her musical style similar to artists like Natalie Grant, Nichole Nordeman and Rebecca St James; Chayah, who was been singing and writing songs since she was young, has now given listeners a taste of a few of her favourite songs in acoustic form. This short but sweet EP Alive And Unplugged is on the short side, though each track is honest, poignant and emotional; Chayah’s heart for Jesus, and vulnerability is more-so on display here, as she strives to point people to our Lord and Saviour. As Chayah displays passion and fervour in her songs, the new renditions of “Higher” and “He Loves Me”, these songs remind us how talented of an artist she is, and how much I’m looking forward to a future full length album!
“Higher”, and “He Loves Me” are a couple of the four promotional singles that Chayah unveiled for us back in December! As “Higher” originally opened with stirring electric guitar work, while Chayah reminds us all that in every situation we can lift up God’s name and glorify Him in all we do; in this version, Chayah’s pristine and captivating voice is sung against a backdrop of slow paced and smooth acoustic guitar strums, giving this song extra depth. Just as moving and relevant as the original version, the message that all we can do is to point people to Jesus, as Chayah asks God to ‘…carry me, through the storm…in the city streets, through the poverty and the businessman passing by, I want to lift You higher…’; is not lost, rather in my opinion it is enhanced, and once again I am struck with the realisation that giving God our appreciation and gratitude is nothing less than what we should do, because of God’s sacrifice for us. Catchy and majestically played; the EP ends with “He Loves Me”, one of the more personal and honest melodies on the original album.
Though seemingly directed at young women who need their faith or direction in life reaffirmed, as Chayah eloquently cries out across beautifully played acoustic guitar ‘…I’m gonna be the woman in me no matter what anybody says…on the outside we can change, on the inside we’re all the same…’; I am certain that men all the same can be impacted and changed by this song as well, as we remember the unconditional love that Jesus has for us. I know this song pulls at my heart strings, and as the closer to the brief mini-album, there’s a sense of anticipation and eagerness as I wait for album #2!
While I would have wanted an EP of 5-6 acoustic songs, or even a full album, Alive and Unplugged is still a gem and great set of two songs, if you love Chayah’s debut album! With these 2 songs being the catalyst for me, I think that it is just a matter of time before Chayah Miranda is signed to a record label. With the only drawback being that 2 songs is too short, I would still recommend these songs to you, and also to listen to the debut album again! This EP is great, it still leaves me wanting more, which is a good thing in this case. Well done Chayah for well deserving versions of fan favourites!
2 songs to listen to: Higher, He Loves Me
Score: 3.5/5
RIYL: Rachael Lampa, Jaci Velasquez, Kerrie Roberts, Nichole Nordeman