Reviewed by Tony Cummings

When Shine broke up and it was announced that Nicki would be pursuing a solo ministry it was made clear to everyone that the musical direction of Nicki (or Nicola as she was known then) was light years from the bubbly teen pop and sassy dance/R&B of the Milton Keynes schools evangelists. But it's still amazing to hear the full creative sweep and lyrical maturity displayed here. Never has the phrase "coming of age" seemed more appropriate than for Nicki. The delicately crafted songs here manage to be profound and yet thankfully avoid being shrouded in the oblique metaphors of the bad poet while her wistful way with melody and lyrics lead this journo to acknowledge that a major new singer/songwriter has now set out her stall on the UK scene. One absolute stand out is the title track with a progression that snakes sinuously between major and minor chords and lyrics which call on God to bring colour in the day. Another great song, "I Saw You", deals with the sad memory of a father who died when Nicki was 12 yet it is neither maudlin or unnecessarily dark. Throughout, Nicki's singing is wistfully effective while the production from Andy Harsant is intuitively sympathetic. In a scene where too many female singer/songwriters simply ape the Toris and the Alannises, this lady finds her own poignant individuality.

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