Vulnerable and Prayerful Voyage
Posted July 04, 2014
By KevinDavis_NRT, Staff Reviewer
Nikki Joy is a new Christian music artist from Florida. Nikki describes herself as “Authentic and Redeemed. My best friend happens to be King. A rebel of darkness and a daughter of light. Always looking for a cliff to jump off of...’Cuz I'm ready to take flight! I'm a down-to-earth kinda girl, but my heart is in the sky. A lady in waiting. waiting for God to send in the right guy. I'm a care-free, FREE spirit, living life with a Holy bliss, I'm a leader, I'm a pilgrim, and most importantly I am HIS.” Nikki aims to create songs that inspire listeners and refresh the soul. The Voyage is a great new collection of very heart-felt and celebratory songs about the voyage of life we are all on as pilgrims keeping our eyes on the prize of eternal life in Jesus Christ.
What's great is how the album sounds very original and yet familiar at the same time. The opening track "The Voyage," is an engaging song with Nikki’s passionate vocals setting the tone for this solid effort with the confessional lyrics, "Take me higher. Take me deeper. I'll go where You go, whatever it takes. A true fighter, I'll travel this course even if my heart breaks. A living sacrifice - to die is gain, to live is Christ."
Like her fellow indie Christian artists, and musical influences Beckah Shae and Lara Landon, the reflective opener has a super-catchy musical vibe and is a wonderful prayer-song about finding regular strength and courage in God's faithful kindness, “keeping our eyes fixed on a new horizon.” Every song is a great reminder for followers of Jesus trying to live out their faith.
Upbeat song “After You” has a contemporary pop musical feel. Nikki trusts in the Lord throughout the song as she offer herself as a living sacrifice as she prays in a psalmist style, “You see the depths of my heart, why I do what I do, so let every step, every breath, be pleasing, pleasing.”
“Eternal Valentine” has an Adele-style confessional feel, and includes comforting words from our Eternal Valentine, Jesus: “See these holes upon my hands? There's something you must understand. These scars were made just for you, now take your fingers and slip them through...Hang on tight.” I can’t get enough of singing back this love song to our Savior which He sings over us, “I am yours and you are mine, here’s My light now let it shine, I’ll love you ‘til the end of time, signed your eternal Valentine, I love you.” The song’s lyrics signify a beautiful call and response to and from Jesus.
I can't get enough of the prayerful and vulnerable song about fighting for purity, and waiting for Jesus to reveal the right guy in the inspiring song of surrender to Christ, "Patiently Wait." The song includes the piercing words: "I will patiently wait for you. I know you are coming soon. I will patiently wait for you." You’ll feel the emotion so poignantly expressed by Nikki as she passionately cries out "I anticipate the day we are one. A love so strong that can't be undone. Through the hard times, through good times we'll always be singing Love's song.” Her commitment to wait on the Lord and listen to His still small voice is truly inspiring, especially as a dad of three young daughters. This song is a wonderful message to pass on to young women who want to pray for God’s will in their lives.
Nikki’s vocals and heartfelt sincerity in many of the songs including "Treasure of My Blood" cause me to hang on every word she brilliantly sings. The lyrics reflect Jesus calling out to us reminding us “don’t doubt My love,” closing out this mesmerizing album with the reflective bridge—"Willingly I, bore the heavy cross. To claim you as Mine, and salvage what was lost. Yes, I bore the heavy cross, For you I bore cross, Again, I'd bear the cross...."
Nikki pours her heart out in every single song which allows listeners to eavesdrop on her expressing her deep feelings, insecurities, and desires for holiness directly to God. I really enjoy how this album tells the story of redemption as each song gives a glimpse of how Nikki offers her Psalm-like prayers to God in the style of David dancing before the Lord.
Closing Thoughts:
If you are looking for the words to express your feelings to God, these songs are a wonderful companion. These are the most transparent, vulnerable and authentic songs I've heard in quite a while. If you like indie-pop style "gourmet" singer-songwriters Beckah Shae and Lara Landon you need to check out Nikki Joy. This entire album is loaded with relatable lyrics, incredible singing and prayerful themes about what it means to be a child of God. Musically, the album features a great mix of laid-back indie-pop and singer-songwriter pop music like Adele and Plumb. Give The Voyage a few deep listens and you'll love it. I hang on every single word and the stirring vocals, prayerful lyrics and musical arrangements are breath-taking.
Song to download now:
“The Voyage” (Get it on iTunes here). View All Music And Book Reviews By KevinDavis_NRT | View KevinDavis_NRT's Profile
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