Joy Whitlock’s God and a Girl is folksy and sweet, as the rough vocals (not bad, just not “smooth”) carry over soft instrumentals on most tracks.
Opening with “Cost of Being Free,” the title’s impact starts pretty quickly to show up throughout. It’s a little reserved, but the second outing is more emphatic, even pleading, in “Faith Don’t Fail.”
“Don’t Look Down” shows some more impassioned instrumentals to start off the song, but it’s still a mellow take that will remind some of Jennifer Knapp. Others have come and gone in CCM (Christian Contemporary Music) circles, but Knapp still holds down the fore-mother spot in my book. What are you willing to give up to follow Christ? asks the song, and you know from Whitlock’s delivery that she’s asking herself the same questions that she’s asking the listener.
There’s a bittersweet lining to “Behind The Scenes,” but we’re still treated to an artist who sees God in all and through all. “Holding On To Me” gets a little more poppy, but “Testify” drops to the quietest levels yet. There’s the same pleading we’ve heard in other songs, this time aimed at God testifying for her, because she has no voice of her own. The folksy beats are enjoyable and easy on the ears, and the introspective take is sure to delight some listeners.
“Not Through With You” rocks a bit more than the preceding songs have, a little more Paramore-ish than the others. It’s actually a nice departure from the earlier tracks. Don’t worry, though, if you’ve liked the preceding songs, “Beautiful” restores quiet folk to Whitlock’s universe. For the record, “Your Face” might as well as be sung by Knapp, but it says Whitlock on the cover.
Overall, it’s a fine album, and for those fans of Knapp’s who have been missing her terribly: this one is for you!
