Reviewed by Alastair McCollum

After the unexpected success of her last studio album the US singer/songwriter returns here with a stripped down acoustic sound. From the opening notes on reverb guitar to the very end of this 12 track collection, this intensely personal and beautiful slice of Americana-flavoured pop grabs the listener's attention and holds it through each song, right up until the end. "I Get To Be", the aforementioned opener with its lively pop feel and its lyrics written while awaiting the birth of JJ's second daughter, is a heartwarming beginning to this collection of reflections on life, love and parenthood. Throughout JJ's husband Dave shares singing and playing duties. "When I'm With You" is a delightful guitar-based love song with just a hint of piano and xylophone and "In The End" is a sharp comment on materialism where JJ proclaims, in the manner of Ecclesiastes, "Greed is making fools of us.you cannot buy peace of mind." Alongside the beautiful finger picked guitar and sparse piano of "Control" these tracks are highlights of a top quality album from the Nashville-based songstress.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.