Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Our prejudices can so easily emerge with an album like this one. Learning that Bethany was a mere 15 years of age when she recorded it is difficult enough. Images of gauche X Factor wannabees singing facile teen pop come easily to the reviewer's mind. Then there's the startling fact that, with the exception of an extremely impressive cover of the Amy Grant classic "Lead Me On", Bethany wrote all the songs here. "What can a 15 year old know about the Christian life?" muses the judgmental reviewer. In fact, on the evidence presented here, a considerable amount. Here are songs about peer pressure ("Revolutionaries"), a God who's bigger than our desires and mistakes ("Great Big Mystery"), our tendency to ignore God's relentless love ("Why"), the need to leave everything behind and be released from what holds us back ("Exodus"), all showing a thoughtful lyricist who has poured over Scripture. My favourite here is the wistfully haunting "Beautiful", a song about how we reflect God's glory. A turntable hit on Cross Rhythms radio it's the kind of song which stays with you through the day. Bethany has the kind of voice which is at home with soaring strings and mandolins but has enough edge to work with layers of rock guitars. All in all, a dazzling debut.

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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