BEC Recordings
Release Date: February 14th 2025
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Olivia Lane– Who God Says You Are – EP (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Who God Says You Are
- Woman At The Well (Revisited)
- Songs About Jesus
- Who I Thought You Were
Christian music and country music have always been two genres that would often collide every once in a while, delivering artists that would teeter the line and traverse in both musical genres. Artists like Anne Wilson, Carrie Underwood, Danny Gokey, Lauren Alaina, Chris Tomlin, Steven Curtis Chapman, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Hilary Scott, Randy Travis, Josh Turner, and even Johnny Cash, have had success in both the CCM and the country music markets, and it has been these such artists above, that have reminded us listeners, that God can speak to people through a variety of genres and music. And if it is through CCM, or through country music, then…so be it. Artists have been delivering great music with great artistry and craft for quite some time…so to add to that list, is another CCM/‘country-style’ or ‘country-adjacent’ artist, that has just released her newest EP not too long ago- Olivia Lane, with her country/pop/worship EP Who God Says You Are.
Similar to her CCM/country music contemporaries at the moment like Emily Faith, Katy Nichole, Anne Wilson, Brennley Brown, and Emerson Day; this new-ish singer-songwriter from Houston, Texas; has delivered a powerful and soul-stirring country-esque set of memorable and inspiring songs. Although short at 4 tracks, these melodies offer up the truth of Jesus Christ, and remind us that the future of CCM and country is bright. “Who I Though You Were” (reviewed already by my brother Jon), is a song that is a reminder to each of us, to keep being amazed and in awe of who God is, and that oftentimes, who we thought He was in certain situations, and who we thought He was, in various circumstances, isn’t necessarily the case (in all the good ways possible). We ought to be encouraged, that God has shattered our perceptions of who we think of Him to be, it may not look like what we think He is, in the situation we’re in now, and He may not undertake things in our lives, that we may expect Him to. But what God has in store for our lives, is far beyond what we can even imagine or even conceive. What we have for the future and what we want, is just a fraction of what He knows our lives are going to be- and how He’ll use us for His glory and our good, goes far beyond our own possibilities. Similarly, “Songs About Jesus” is a reminder to each of us, to keep being amazed and in awe of who God is, and to always proclaim your testimony out loud from the rooftops, for singing songs about Jesus and how He saved us all from sin and hell, can only serve to strengthen our faith and to lead others to faith in Jesus Christ. “Woman At The Well”, an already recorded testimony-like ballad, is revisited here and updated again with a fresh and revitalising take on what I’d say is a must listen melody- everyone will be inspired and encouraged and in awe of Olivia’s testimony about how she became a Christian. “Who God Says You Are”, the final ‘new’ track, is an acoustic guitar driven mid-tempo ballad, and speaks about the everlasting and unending truth of Jesus Christ, as Olivia encourages and reassures us that ‘…He says you’re perfectly loved no matter what and He’s got a good, good plan for you, you can’t out run, He says His light is burning bright inside of you, and you’re never on your own, that’s the truth, so when the lies take a hold of your heart, I’ll remind you Who God Says You Are…’.
My first introduction to Olivia Lane was as a collaboration between her and seasoned CCM pop artists Sidewalk Prophets on the song ‘I Believe It Now’. This brand new EP (and debut release via BEC Recordings) by this up-and-coming artist is a standout project amongst the few already released in 2025 thus far. Maybe…listening to this track, can intrigue me enough to listen to Olivia’s first faith-filled album Heart Change way back in 2021? Or listen to the likes of Emily Faith and Emerson Day next? Well done Olivia, for this powerful and emotive selection of songs! Perhaps a full length album next? Looking forward to more Christian-country artists coming up and getting radio exposure, in the upcoming months ahead.
3 songs to listen to: Who God Says You Are, Songs About Jesus, Who I Thought You Were
Score: 4.5/5
RIYL: Katy Nichole, Anne Wilson, Tenille Townes, Carrie Underwood, Rebecca St. James