|
Laura Cooksey [Unshakeable] | Posted February 09, 2012
Unshakeable by Laura Cooksey is the 2012 debut six song EP from the Christian singer, who has led worship for the Women of Faith conferences and toured with Mandisa, Britt Nicole and Laura Story. From her childhood in Atlanta, Laura’s musical course was clear and she moved through it with excitement and determination. She performed in church and musical theater productions as a child and into high school, then went on to study vocal performance at Baylor University. Since living in Nashville, Laura Cooksey has had the opportunity to provide backing vocals on several award-winning albums, and to sing with numerous recording artists, including Mandisa, Natalie Grant, and Nicole C. Mullen. Her debut project contains a blend of original music and familiar worship tunes and hymns. Laura’s prayer is that this project will communicate her point of view as an artist, but even more importantly, she prays it will be an encouragement and a reminder of His love and faithfulness to all who hear it.
Opening tracks “By Faith” and “Unshakeable” are both catchy, reverent and upbeat songs that reflect Laura’s journey to releasing her debut album. “By Faith” includes Laura’s autobiographical reflection in the lyrics: “Too many times / I let the voice of fear / Control the way I live / And silence every dream / Too many days / Been paralyzed by doubt / The questions scream and shout / And I waste another day / It’s time to let go / Of what I don’t know / To see what I can’t see / I’m gonna walk by faith / One step closer to You / I will live by faith / In the light of Your Truth / I’m gonna love by faith / Because You first loved me.” Title track “Unshakeable” could easily find its way onto Christian radio with the catchy musical hook and Laura’s strong vocal delivery, reminding me of Britt Nicole and Jaci Velasquez. When Laura passionately sings the bridge “Yesterday, today, and forever You will be the same / Almighty God You reign forever,” I hear in her voice a prayer of gratitude and commitment to lift God’s Name high and give her gifts back to Him. “Hosanna” is my favorite worship song of all-time and like Selah’s contemporary cover of the song originally written and sung by Brooke Fraser (Hillsong UNITED), Laura once again isn’t performing the song, she is lifting the worshipful and heartfelt words back to our Savior.
Laura closes with three more catchy songs, “Rest,” “The Love of Christ” and “Here We Go.” “Rest” once again features Laura’s vocal sincerity and prayerful offering of comfort in the lyrics: “There is a refuge and His name is Jesus / Trust Him and know that you’re not alone.” “The Love of Christ” reminds me of the first time I heard “On My Knees” by Jaci Velasquez and when Laura sings the biblical Truth in the chorus: “How high / How long / How wide / How deep / Is the love of Christ” her vocals hit another level that gives me goose bumps. Laura closes with a playful and upbeat pop song, “Here We Go.” I love the pre-chorus, “let’s get back to the days of our childhood simplicity, when our lives were the song and our dreams the melody.”
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Rarely has a debut album included this many catchy songs and all six songs will have you hanging on every word that Laura tenderly sings. Her vocals will soothe your soul and the vertical lyrics will all direct your attention on our King, Jesus. This album displays a lot of potential for this up and coming singer and for sure I’ll be listening to these songs to nourish, refresh and soothe me. All six songs direct my attention to the Author of my faith, who is “Unshakeable.” Well done Laura, you are truly a good and faithful servant of God.
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Is This Review Helpful? Yes | No |