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

JFH Music Review


Sara Groves, What Makes It Through
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Sara Groves
What Makes It Through



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Folk / Pop / Acoustic
Album length: 9 tracks: 33 minutes, 56 seconds
Street Date: November 12, 2021


READER RATING:   


Artist Sara Groves needs no introduction to most Christian music listeners of the past twenty years. Since her label debut, Conversations, in 2001, she has routinely rewarded the patient listener with her deft ability to turn a phrase supported by understated musical flourishes of the piano variety. These albums are full of top-notch songs, and her newest only adds to that legacy. Her most recent album, What Makes It Through, is another consistently great album. The focus this time around is primarily on the horizontal human relationships, and with it, Groves continues to shine as one of the best in the genre.

Across eight brand new songs and one reimagined one, Groves explores how humans are "imperfect witnesses to our own lives." One of her inspirations for this theme was a favorite book, "The Buried Giant" by Kazou Ishiguro. Although this opinion is far from settled (these types of albums take time to digest), the first several listens reveal a strong opening trio of songs rising to the top of the tracklist.

Introspective and melancholy (though ultimately hopeful) opener "Soul of Things" is a curious choice to begin an album, but as the record unfolds, it begins to make more sense. This set of songs is Groves looking inward to her own heart and to those closest to her relationally. "Cheshire Cat" spins the album toward a more playful tone, as Sara balances out a weariness with life, politics, etc. with lyrical imagery drawing from the whimsy found in Alice in Wonderland. The third track, "Deal Breaker," similarly finds Groves cordially, though soberly, singing these earnest lines about a troubled earthly relationship, "I always thought with you and me/Though it's not on paper/There would never be/A deal-breaker.” A beautiful piano and her inviting voice evoke a longing as I listen to her sing of regret and hope.

Another standout is "Remains of the Day," which finds Groves trying to process the seeming fall from grace of a religious figure/Pastor. Additionally, both "Telltale Heart" and "Nothing" are highlight tunes, the former for the darker musical edge she rarely explores, and the latter for heart-rending lyrics like, "Sometimes it's not about you/What is and what is not your style/Would you fight your demons/For me once in a while/I say I am fine/And that's true most of the time.”

Overall, after the first pass or two at What Makes It Through, even this reviewer didn't hear much beyond the first three songs perk my ears. Musically, it's perhaps the most understated of her catalog. But in persisting, tuning in two or three more times, and taking a peek at the lyrics, this album, like several of hers preceding it, found its home, slowly working its way into my soul. Give it the time; it is truly worthy of it. All in all, like a moth to a flame, I'm once again drawn to the warmth of Sara's tone and her consistent ability to craft a mesmerizing tune. What Makes It Through is another masterclass of songwriting from an artist who astoundingly keeps getting better with each release.

- Review date: 11/14/21, written by Josh Balogh 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!

 

. Record Label: Mantle Music
. Album length: 9 tracks: 33 minutes, 56 seconds
. Street Date: November 12, 2021
. Buy It: Apple Music
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Soul of Things (3:57)
  2. Cheshire Cat (3:04)
  3. Deal Breaker (3:47)
  4. Rendezvous (4:03)
  5. Remains of the Day (3:27)
  6. Telltale Heart (3:26)
  7. Reach Inside (4:19)
  8. Nothing (3:50)
  9. Loving A Person (Reimagined) (3:57)

 

 



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