Caitie Hurst is a new signing at Centricity Music, and her debut EP, How Could I Be Silent, introduces us to her style of fun, beachy tunes mixed with rich encouragement for the listener's faith. Listeners will be dazzled by her high soprano voice as well as her solid songwriting, in which she cowrote all seven songs.

Caitie Hurst began as a worship leader for the North Nashville church, Long Hollow. She was invested in singing with the student ministry, recording two albums with them in 2016 and 2017. The singer is no amateur in her craft. Her father, Mike Hurst, was part of a touring Christian group, so it is safe to say music was a part of Caitie's upbringing. Caitie's time spent as a worship leader can be felt here on this EP. The songs ooze a vibrant relationship with God, and that can only be credited to the time she spent mentoring girls in the student ministry.

The EP kicks off with the title track, "How Could I Be Silent," which displays an energetic beat, fun synths, and fresh vocals. Who knew standing in solidarity with God could sound so fun? You will definitely be dancing and singing along to this track. The next track is "Walkin' on the Water." This song is a unique look at how God asks us to have faith in Him. This song boasts of Caitie's budding songwriting prowess, convincing us that she is here for the long run. The third track on her EP is the second single, "Nothing to Hide." Probably the best song on the EP, this song combines the signature sounds of the album into one great package: acoustic guitar, complicated synths, and a comforting piano. What's more, her songwriting really shines here, too. Lyrics like, "I'm known by you. I'm seen by you. I'm loved by you," will really empower believers to realize that before God, there really is nothing to hide. Plus, Caitie's whistle notes throughout the song show the singer's range and talent. The next track is "Answers." "Answers" is a really heartfelt track, as it reveals the singer's more contemplative side and takes a break from the songs that make you want to dance. Standout lyrics like, "What about all the orphans praying for a home? I know you're the good, good father, but why are they alone?" and "What about all the sickness medicine can't solve?" are sure to ease listeners into a reflective state as well. While some of the lines border on the cliché, this song really does take a hard subject and dresses it in beautiful guitar picking and a lovely string melody. The next track, "Lights," is Caitie's most popular song on Spotify, with over 1 million streams. This song, along with the last track, "Signs," lacks the strong faith-empowering message that the other songs, towards the beginning, boast. Far from being poorly written, the songs' messages are, however, a little thin. What these two songs do not lack, though, is slick production and cool melodies. These songs guarantee a sing-along quality, perfect for jamming in the car. Finally, the second to last track, "Wanderer," takes a slightly different turn than the rest of the songs. This song's subject is centered around unbelievers finding their hope in Jesus Christ.

This EP is an outstanding debut. The songwriting is mature, the themes and topics are relatable, the melodies and production are sonically pleasing, and the vocals are great. Each tune is a new angle to the beachy and pop-infused sound. There really isn't anything like it in the Christian music scene yet. Caitie's sound and signatures will make her stand out in the music industry. She said she wanted to accomplish sending an encouraging message through fun beats, and she totally does that with this EP.

Review date: 4/16/20, written by McKenzie Mitchell for Jesusfreakhideout.com