Reviewed by Rachel Eadon

Australian singer/songwriter Adrian Rowse is a communicator with a heart for reaching people. 'Upclose' feels like an extension of that desire - it is clear and uncomplicated, and the result is passionate and sincere. Many of the songs here have lyrics that are almost word for word straight from the Bible, but Rowse has managed to stamp his own hallmark on the passages, making them easy to engage with. The layout of the music is simple and does not feel as polished as, say, a Matt Redman album, but the songs nevertheless seem to stand independently and feel complete such that in my mind any addition would feel superfluous. From the bold declaration of "One Love" to the heartfelt plea of "Die Old Man," 'Upclose' is a comprehensive catalogue of the fundamental truths that make up Christianity.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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