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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Clare Cunningham
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Clare Cunningham
Helping Hand

Street Date: July 7, 2023
Style: Worship / Country / Indie
Official Site: ClareCunninghamMusic.com
Buy It: Amazon




Over the past few years, Clare Cunningham has been on a journey -- both musical and spiritual. After gaining notice as a singer/songwriter in her home country of Ireland, Cunningham joined the Swedish rock band Thundermother. After a couple albums with that group, Cunningham stepped down to focus on her mental health. Eventually at the end of 2020, she found herself returning to faith in Jesus Christ. Since then, her spiritual revival has sparked a musical one as well, releasing EPs, appearing on a Garth Brooks documentary, and getting some spotlight in the US with an appearance at the Grand Ole Opry. Now Clare Cunningham is adding a full-length album to her catalogue in the form of Helping Hand.

This record has been touted as a worship album, and in some ways, that's true. But it feels less like worship and more like testimony. The country gospel sound in the music and Cunningham's voice adds to that feeling. The opening tracks really set up the testimonial nature of the album. "A Voice" tells of how Cunningham rediscovered purpose through Christ. "Somewhere I Want to Live," meanwhile, could become a staple among other gospel artists. The album starts to hit its stride, though, with "Please God," a prayerful tune in which Cunningham admits there is plenty to learn in the faith. Similarly, "Like I Said I Would" declares a commitment to leave the world a better place than how she found it. The back half of the record features a couple tracks that break the musical mould of country and gospel. "Genuflect" is a straight up hip-hop single, while "Too Far From Home" lets Cunningham reveal her Irish accent that she hides in the other songs. Of these two, "Genuflect" is the odder inclusion. Otherwise, Cunningham's lyrics are straightforward yet packed with emotion. They may not be breaking any new ground or pushing poetic boundaries, but her sincere delivery of each line sells every track.

In fact, it's Clare Cunningham's passionate vocals that carry Helping Hand. Her range is truly impressive and each track showcases her talent. She sounds like a born-and-bred Southern girl for most of the tunes, and yet she comes across like a natural pop star on "Genuflect." The musical talent on display throughout the record is also worth noting. It helps that her backing band contains seasoned musicians with impressive credentials largely in the country market.

The overall effort makes Helping Hand a taut record for Clare Cunningham. With a stirring message, soaring vocals, and strong musicianship, this is an album that sounds better than most, and stands out among new releases from "newer" artists. Given the prolific output we've seen already from Cunningham, it's likely we'll see more in the near future. Whatever it is will be worth noting, but until then Helping Hand stands as one of the more solid, well-balanced albums of 2023.

- Review date: 8/22/23, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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JFH Indie Spotlight Review . Record Label: None
. Album length: 11 tracks: 40 minutes
. Street Date: July 7, 2023
. Buy It: Amazon

  1. A VOICE (3:25)
  2. SOMEWHERE I WANT TO LIVE (4:15)
  3. SAVING GRACE (4:11)
  4. PLEASE GOD (3:43)
  5. LIKE I SAID I WOULD (3:37)
  6. NO NEED FOR GOD (3:29)
  7. GENUFLECT (feat. Gavin Dre & Drac Gibson) (4:10)
  8. DON'T LET ME GO (3:34)
  9. TOO FAR FROM HOME (3:54)
  10. LOOK FOR JESUS (3:23)
  11. YOU KNOW WHERE I'M GOING (3:14)

 

 

 

 

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This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
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SINGLES
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Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
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SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



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