In a time of artificial intelligence, fake news, deepfake videos and a jarring, general mistrust in the air, it is a truly refreshing thing to hear genuine "folk" music being made. And we're talking about the authentic "you can hear a string break every so often," "actual foot stomping on a wooden floor," "bad notes and all" sort of acoustic folk music that you know was made quickly and without too much fuss.

Northern Ireland's (via Nashville) Rend Collective has been making this sort of music from their beginning nearly twenty years ago. And wrapped up in this genuine ethos of music making is a solid heartbeat to celebrate genuine faith and communicate gospel truths at (often) break-neck tempos. Last fall's FOLK! (Part 1) EP was one of the best collections of songs put out in 2024, and this spring's "part 2" is a continuation of that season of songwriting, and a fine collection of rousing acoustic tunes that sound as if they were being eternally played in a rustic barn somewhere.

The rambunctious and rollicking "No Grave" kicks off (quite literally) this EP in fine, foot-stomping fashion. With a nod to the Easter season, this fantastic opener celebrates the empty grave with a passion that honors this cosmos-changing event: "Last time I checked, the tomb was empty / Why am I living like it's not? / I bet my life on resurrection / My fear is done calling the shots / I've got a living, breathing hope And no good reason to give up / Ain't no grave that could hold Your body down / Ain't no grave could contain my praises now / You're the new life in dead end places / From the wreckage You rise / 'Cause You're the kinda hope / That doesn't know how to die." The sheer energy of this track is enough to light up a small town.

The following "Fight Of My Life" continues the momentum and pulse of the album with a plea for the Father's help in times of peril: "Kick start my heart / And take my soul to the O.R / 'Cause I can't find a pulse, can't find the beat / Flatlined all the time / Checking on my vital signs / I can't even stand the sight of me / It was hard to find You in the pain / it's harder now that I can't feel a thing / Don't know how to find my fire again / But I need You now / I need You to be my joy / This is the fight of my life / Gotta keep looking for the light / I'm in a war for my mind / Oh I need you in the fight of my life." Lead singer (and main songwriter) Chris Llewellen's pleading vocals lend the song an authentic air, and "Fight Of My Life" could be the sort of song that King David might have written in the more harrowing passages of his life.

"Burn" continues the wild, loud worship tone, while the following "Raise Me Up" swings with gospel music fervor. "Blessed Are The Ones," a wonderful duet with fellow folkie Jess Ray, brings down the tempo and volume with a quiet, meditative look at the beatitudes and the "upside down" nature of God's kingdom. And best of all is the closing "Prayer Of St. Patrick," a song that puts this ancient text, that goes back more than one thousand years, into wonderful musical form: "I arise today by the mighty / strength / Of the blessed trinity / For the three in one, Father, Spirit, Son / Bind my heart with bravery / You're my breastplate and my shield / Christ before me, Christ behind me / Christ within me, all around me / You're the only armour that my soul will ever need / Jesus You're my victory, You're my everything / Amen / Amen." Amen indeed.

Rend Collective's two FOLK! EP's makes for one terrific listen back-to-back, and a wonderful balm for the soul in troubled times. So go out to the barn if you have one, clear a spot to dance and then turn these collective songs up loud!

- Review date: 4/4/25, written by Alex Caldwell of Jesusfreakhideout.com