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

JFH Music Review


Holly Starr, Human
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Holly Starr
Human



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Pop / Dance
Album length: 8 tracks: 29 minutes, 43 seconds
Street Date: September 15, 2017


READER RATING:   


Singer/songwriter, Holly Starr, is following up the release of 2015's Everything I Need with another seven-song EP, titled Human. Starr has shown her capability as a songwriter on past releases and I'm happy to say that is no different here. Human is a solid pop offering birthed from a wide range of life experiences.

The musical palette of Human is pure dance-pop, sampling influences from the urban bent of Hollyn ("Run The Race") and the electronic direction of Matthew Parker ("Say Yes"), who also co-produced the record along with David Thulin and Bryan Fowler. For the most part, Starr pulls off this sound really well, as on the toe-tapping "Umbrella" and the excellent title track, which reminds the listener that our flaws and mistakes are what make us human and aren't meant to be shamed upon. "What if mistakes aren't such a bad thing? / What if they make you who you are? / What is a story with no struggle? / You can't see the stars without the dark / Maybe we could never be perfect people and maybe that's ok?" The EP closes out in a wonderfully somber and intimate way with "Sailing." Inspired by the recent death of her grandmother, "Sailing" is a beautiful ode to life and perseverance and quite easily the best song here.

What holds Human back isn't the lyrics or even the production (which can admittedly sound a little dry at times), but the music itself. The songs lack a strong hook and, for a pop album, this becomes quite a setback. A couple of tracks simply come and go without leaving any defining spark ("Bruises" and "You and I" being the most uninteresting examples), even though it's clear they do try.

For what it is, Human is another solid effort from a singer/songwriter that deserves more attention than what she's received. For the most part, it's an enjoyable, if somewhat vanilla, release. There isn't anything particularly memorable here, but if you enjoy pop music to any extent give it a spin some time. You may be surprised.

- Review date: 9/13/17, written by Lucas Munachen of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

 

JFH Album Sampler
. Record Label: Artist Garden Entertainment
. Album length: 8 tracks: 29 minutes, 43 seconds
. Street Date: September 15, 2017
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Bruises (3:38)
  2. Run the Race (3:28)
  3. Umbrella (3:36)
  4. Human (feat. Matthew Parker) (3:39)
  5. You and I (3:29)
  6. Say Yes (3:36)
  7. Sailing (4:31)
  8. Run the Race (Matthew Parker Remix) (3:46)

 

 

 

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next 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]



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