Reviewed by Tony Cummings

A gem of a pop single, "Broken Prayers" is Riley's first release (issued in December 2017) and shows that Capitol Christian Music Group know how to spot talent. This 18 year old has a husky, catch-in-the-throat edge to her voice which suggests a volcano of emotion while her ability to soar upwards and outwards on the piercing chorus demonstrates diva-like power. But good singers need good songs and here a veritable army of Nashville songsmiths - Joshua Peter Kerr, Emily Weisland, Ben Glover, Tedd Tjorhorn and Riley herself - have crafted a mid-tempo song which speaks honestly and eloquently of the need to bring all our inner turmoils to the Lord in prayer. "You want my tears, every messy word/Every scar and every fear/You want all I have/With no holding back/When I'm hurt, at my worst/You meet me there/'Cause you see the beauty/In my broken prayers." The heavy-in-the-mix electronic drums are great too. Oh and the video, Riley walking and driving around a desert, is effective. As I said, a gem of a single.

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