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

JFH Music Review


Andy Hunter, Presence
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Andy Hunter
Presence



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Techno
Album length: 10 tracks: 55 minutes, 31 seconds
Street Date: September 2, 2016


READER RATING:   


After the release of his Presence app--a tool designed to inspire people to spend more intentional time with God--Andy Hunter put together the songs he created for the project and released it as his latest album Presence. It seems that creating music for the specific purpose of spending intentional time with God, as noble of a goal as that is, has tamed this beast of the Christian techno market. Techno thrives on being edgy and exciting. It can be slow or quiet and still be really good, but it is a more difficult task to accomplish. If anyone can do it for a full album, it's Andy Hunter, but Presence is not necessarily it.

Almost all of the songs on Presence are meant to accompany a specific Bible verse, which is alluded to in the song titles. Each song comes with a short devotional message in the album insert that is both poetic and inspirational in nature. It's a nice idea but unfortunately the musical competent of the Presence Project is fairly forgettable. For example, "Over The Water" and "Transform" have a decent beats and are just dynamic enough to make it nice to listen to, but does not stick in your head the way that some of his previous works "Go" or "Wonders of You." The opening track "Sensing Grace" starts off slow with highly produced xylophone-styled synths but picks up with a relatively aesthetic beat with strong bass for the majority of the track. "Be Still"--based on Psalm 46:10 "be still and know that I am God"-- features a reverb-heavy piano and slowly brings in industrial synthesizers. Ironically, "Be Still" builds some tension at the halfway mark only to completely dissipate and fade out. The only song that leaves a lasting impression is "Morphed," largely due to it's catchiness and slight playfulness, but it's hard to say that it's a highlight because of the unnecessarily long quiet intro and outro.

If the idea of having some subdued techno music for your quiet time sounds like something you'd really like, this album is certainly worth listening to. It's also nice for background music in general, especially since there are no vocals (though the dubstep sounds on "Woven" might be a bit distracting). It's still Andy Hunter, so it's obviously an enjoyable listen, but as a work of art Presence is not up to par with Andy's previous releases.

- Review date: 9/29/16, written by Christopher Smith of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

JFH Album Sampler
. Record Label: Independent
. Album length: 10 tracks: 55 minutes, 31 seconds
. Street Date: September 2, 2016
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Sensing Grace (6:27)
  2. Be Still (2:31)
  3. Come To Me (5:12)
  4. Transform (6:03)
  5. Morphed (7:20)
  6. Quiet Voice (6:50)
  7. Over The Water (7:07)
  8. Send (3:27)
  9. New Creation (4:16)
  10. Woven (5:36)
  11. Maggie's Toy (0:35)

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



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