Nicole C. Mullen is not a new figure in the music world. Be it dancing, writing songs or singing BGVs, she has carved her path in Christian music before her 2000 debut. This time, she brings us her first work as Nicole C. Mullen.

The album opens with a gospel choir singing "Are u ready for this/ are you ready for this/ are you ready for this"; if you are used to listening to gospel singers, you might expect to hear the classic gospel diva's big entry. Instead of that, you hear a blend of R&B and folk. This mix of genres is a pattern that the album follows. Some additional parts (which aren't mentioned on the back cover list, like "Party Over Here," "In the Morning" or "Love Divine") work as a kind of leitmotif, which appear in the entire record.

The main topics covered in the lyrics are faith and life. In "Shooby," she introduces herself expressing, "I believe in Jesus/ and I won't apologize/ He has bought me my freedom/ With His blood and with His life," while in songs like "Butterfly" and "Farewell," she reflects on growing up and moving on with your life, or letting go. Songs like "Granny's Angel" and "Blowing Kisses" focus more on the Christian life, like how God's relationship with each one is personal or reminding us that our actions speak louder than our words. In the same vein, there are other songs where she gives us an exact idea of how God's love is for all of us, "Everyone is precious in the Father's sight/ It don't matter red or yellow, black or white/He just loves ya 'cause He loves ya I tell you this is true/You are not a color and a color is not you." About halfway through the album comes "Redeemer," one of her most known worship songs. Her wonderful vocals are accompanied by a guitar, a cello and a choir to emphasize the phrase "I know my Redeemer lives." The album closes with a cover of Jaci's Velasquez hit, "On My Knees," reminding us to live life surrendered to God.

Making an eponymous album is not always easy; you have to follow your path, that implies stepping outside of the crowd and taking a look at the path you've walked on. Nicole's attempt is a transparent and honest work, which it's not something easy to find.

Review date: 3/1/21, written by Jophel Fernz for Jesusfreakhideout.com