Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Southville

Southville
Freedom's Tree

Street Date: October 6, 2017
Style: Worship / Gospel



With the absurd influx of worship artists in the CCM market, it's a bit of a miracle when you find something beautiful amidst the noise. There are plenty of copycats, the occasional artist straight out of crazy town, and on the rare occasion we find artists that transcend their genre. UK based indie band Southville is one of those rare jewels and they prove it with their latest release, Freedom's Tree.

Right from the start, the band hits the ground running with "Strong." Utilizing imagery from Genesis, the song is used to remind listeners that God has, and always will be, with His people and be their strength. Themes of creation, redemption, and sovereignty permeate the album, but in a relatable manner. From this reviewer's perspective, it seems that the thread tying the album together would relate well with Jeremiah 32:38, "They will be my people, and I will be their God." Songs like, "Creator God" and "God Has Spoken" are great examples of this as they declare that God is in control and redemption is His plan.

Lyrically, the album keeps Trinitarian orthodoxy in plain view, which is both admirable and impressive. Within many contemporary worship songs, the persons of the Trinity are sometimes used interchangeably when they shouldn't be. For instance, "Valiant" clearly distinguishes the Father and the Son as Keren Felix sings, "The joy ahead, the plan of God / The victor's crown, was won by blood / The shame I've felt, the wrong I've done / Are washed away, by Christ the son." Furthermore, "Your Love" is clearly a song about the Holy Spirit, who the Church does not have an overwhelming amount of songs about.

The hard work of Southville has most definitely paid off with Freedom's Tree. Musically, the band's instrumentation and production is at an extremely high caliber, even a bit higher than some mainstream contemporaries. Listeners looking for Bible-based lyrics with a familiar yet unique sound will find a special gift with this release. Worship leaders also need to take note of how many of these songs can be used in a congregational setting, for adult and student gatherings. Before the year ends, get your hands and ears on this beauty, you won't regret it.

- Review date: 10/5/17, written by Ryan Barbee of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

JFH Indie Spotlight Review . Record Label: Elim Sound Publishing
. Album length: 10 tracks: 45 minutes, 1 second
. Street Date: October 6, 2017
. Buy It: iTunes
. Download It: AmazonMP3

  1. Strong (4:31)
  2. Every Call (4:25)
  3. Creator God (4:55)
  4. Always (5:05)
  5. Your Love (5:51)
  6. Valiant (3:51)
  7. Freedom's Tree (4:57)
  8. The Race (3:03)
  9. God Has Spoken (4:43)
  10. Boundless (3:40)

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

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

Search JFH



This Tuesday, July 29, 2025
ALBUMS
Magdalene Rose The Heart That Bloomed After Death [Rockfest]

SINGLES
Josiah Queen Cloud and Fire - Single [Capitol CMG]
Stryper Still The Light - Single [Frontiers]

This Friday, August 1, 2025
ALBUMS
Above the Clouds The Messengers [Polished Arrow]
Crash Rickshaw Big Sir - EP [Velvet Blue]
Illbrio Part Two/font> (independent)
McKamey Legacy Holding to Truth [Horizon]
Brandon Mitchell GAMETIME [Syntax]
Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM Worship]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, tonyxtrotter, Yung Drew, Christyan Scarborough All Dog$ Go To Heaven - Single [Syntax]
BASECAMP Lord's Day - Single [Polished Arrow]
Dan Bremnes Human - Single [Curb]
Lauren Daigle Let It Be A Hallelujah - Single [Centricity]
Dave Hall Safe Part II (ft. Megan Tossi & Kayo Bracey) - Single [Syntax]
JusRzd Receipts (ft. GB) - Single [Syntax]
K3hlab iPraise (Remix) (ft. CJ Emulous & Xay Hill) - Single [Syntax]
Mell Omii Trav Hit His Parlay - Single [Syntax]
Jeannie Ortega Back to Brooklyn - Single [Syntax]
Q-Flo Hilltop Cypher (ft. DJ Mykael V, Glenn Ray, Parris Chariz & Prodi Da Prodigal) - Single [Syntax]
Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship Swing Wide - Single [Vineyard UK]
Solachi Voz Knew Me (ft. GODSVOIC3 & Key'ijah) - Single [Syntax]
VOTA Try - Single (independent)

VINYL
Disciple Attack! (Limited Run Vinyl) Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, August 8, 2025
ALBUMS
CXMMXNS All The Praise Belongs [Provident]
Blessing Offor Real [Capitol CMG]
Zane Walls Think About Me - EP [DREAM]

SINGLES
Coqui LIVING 2 DIE - Single [DREAM]
We Are Messengers Losing You - Single [Curb]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Join honey and save on online purchases!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images