Hollyn– Feels Like Christmas (Single)

Gotee Records

Release Date: November 29th 2019

Reviewed by: Joshua Andre

Hollyn– Feels Like Christmas (Single) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)

Track Listing:

  1. Christmastime Is Here
  2. O Come All Ye Faithful

Signed to Gotee Records way back in 2016; singer/songwriter Hollyn unveiled her debut album One Way Conversations in 2017 (which we reviewed here!), containing the smash hit singles “Can’t Live Without” and “Love With Your Life”; as well as lesser known hits “In Awe” and “Lovely”. Though the album was poignant, emotional and honest; Hollyn’s subsequent singles weren’t as big as her first two. With radio silence from Hollyn until late last year, I assumed that maybe she’d be a one-album wonder. It’d be sad, but I would accept it, mainly because out of hundreds and hundreds of artists who record their debut album, only a few of them make it past album number 2 and onto the road to stardom. Perhaps the fame and the attention is a bit too much, but whatever the case, I naively thought that Hollyn may not release anything ever again. It wouldn’t be cool, but I’d eventually learn to live with it. However last year in September, Hollyn unveiled her brand new EP bye sad girl.– and boy is it an honest and vulnerable release. Dare I say it; I reckon it’s Hollyn’s most vulnerable release ever, and perhaps the most vulnerable album/EP of the year!

While you can read my review of bye sad girl. here; let me now dive deep into Hollyn’s Christmas EP Feels Like Christmas. It’s always fun to hear some of your favourite artists remake old holiday classics- and here Hollyn does a pretty solid job of recording 2 well known joyful melodies. “Christmas Time Is Here” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” are both remade, with the former being a laid back reflective and soothing ballad and the latter being a swinging blues/jazz melody- and the result is an EP that’s way too short, however it’s still a couple of songs that are compelling and remind us all of the hope and surety that we all can trust and believe right now in the uncertainty of 2020, given that we are presented with the eternal truth of Jesus born in a manger more than 2000 years ago, saving us all from sin and the grave! With the sky being the limit for Hollyn (maybe in the mainstream, maybe not!), as we anticipate her next full-length album, which shouldn’t be too far away; both One Way Conversations and bye sad girl. reminds us all of Hollyn’s versatility. And it is these hopeful and beautifully sung Christmas tunes that have me longing for a full length Christmas album someday. While the next album will be anyone’s guess in terms of genre, theme and topic; perhaps Hollyn might go back to Christian music, and this release (bye sad girl.) is just an exploration into relationships as a side project near and dear to her heart. Either way, Hollyn is a force to be reckoned with! So…what are you waiting for guys? Check out this EP, and her impressive Christmas songs as well! And remember that God speaks through anything! Yep, anything!

Score: 4/5

RIYL:  TobyMac, Lecrae, Tauren Wells, V. Rose, HillaryJane, Riley Clemmons

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