Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


TAYA, TAYA
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

TAYA
TAYA



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Worship / Pop
Album length: 14 tracks: 60 minutes, 1 second
Street Date: May 27, 2022


READER RATING:   


Taya (Smith) Gaukrodger has been the voice behind some of the most world-renowned worship songs for nearly a decade. You would have first heard her angelic vocals on smash hit "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" which released in 2013. She also takes lead on Hillsong United recorded tunes "Touch the Sky" and "Whole Heart (Hold Me Now)," among others.

Now, in 2022, after several years of writing, Taya sets sail on her self-titled solo offering. With a little encouragement from United's leader Joel Houston, Taya looks to add her pen to her well-established voice. Her introduction is a first attempt at devotional worship-pop songs with production from fellow artist Jon Guerra. While the album as a whole is solid, it's definitely front-loaded with the most memorable tracks. She wisely chose her first three singles, and if you have liked each of them, you may appreciate the rest to a higher degree. However, I found there to be diminishing returns the longer the tracklisting worn on. A tight 10-11 song set would have crackled through to the end rather than slowly faded out.

"For All My Life" is my clear-cut favorite song, with its swaying gospel vibes, though the clarion call of ballad "Getaway" is a very close second. "For All My Life" is a call to surrender stating, "I won't lean on my own understanding/I will let go, follow, empty-handed/You say, 'Your yoke is easy'/You say, 'Your burden's light'/So I'll let You lead me for all my life." It comes across like a light and kind invitation, while it simultaneously sets your toes a-tappin'. "Getaway" reminds us to be real with God as Taya tenderly sings God's invitation to his children; "Are you burnt out on religious things?/Are you worn down, lacking inner peace?/Take a real rest, walk along with Me/In the pastures of My presence, you can be yourself." "In This Place," "All Eyes on You," and "Canticle" round out the biggest standouts, while the rest trend toward the more typical rhyme and verse of her worship contemporaries.

For now, Taya's self-titled is a good beginning point, and fans will find much to like. Taya could take a big step forward on subsequent releases by taking a few more sonic chances and trimming the fat from the tracklist. All in all, I'm glad she stepped out from the shadow of her longtime band mates, and the effort is worthy of attention for fans of modern worship.

- Review date: 5/25/22, written by Josh Balogh of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

 

. Record Label: Captiol CMG
. Album length: 14 tracks: 60 minutes, 1 second
. Street Date: May 27, 2022
. Buy It: Apple Music
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. In This Place (5:03)
  2. For All My Life (3:30)
  3. All Eyes On You (4:50)
  4. Getaway (4:10)
  5. Lover Of My Soul (4:48)
  6. Canticle (4:06)
  7. Mercy (4:02)
  8. Jesus Over Everything (3:29)
  9. Carry Me Home (3:34)
  10. Narrow Road (5:11)
  11. Not Ashamed (4:26)
  12. All About Jesus (2:46)
  13. Glory Hallelujah (5:12)
  14. Sorry To Grieve You God (5:01)

 

 JFH Album Sample Player

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

Search JFH




This Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]

Next Friday, November 15, 2024
ALBUMS
Dolly Parton & Family Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith & Fables [Owepar Entertainment]
The Lore Family Faith Over Fear [Horizon]
Fernando Ortega For All the Saints - EP (independent)
Earnest Pugh Worth is the Lamb
We Are Messengers Rejoice! (A Celtic Christmas) - EP [Curb]
Paul Wright III Reverie [United Alliance]

SINGLES
Big Dismal Here In My Heart - Single (independent)
Hannah Kerr It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Single [Curb]
Olivia Lane Silent Night - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Wake Up It's Christmas - Single [BEC]
Jamie MacDonald A Million Chances - Single [Capitol CMG]
Ronnie Martin On Christmas Morning - Single [Velvet Blue]
Hunter Plake Daylight - Single [BEC]
Jordan St. Cyr Christ is Here - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Divine Discontent Vinyl [Word]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images