Jesusfreakhideout.com: Chelsea Hamshaw, "Pilgrim, Press On" Review

JFH Indie Review

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Chelsea Hamshaw
Pilgrim, Press On

Artist Info: Discography
Street Date: November 13, 2024
Style: Alternative / Folk / Gospel
Official Site: ChelseaHamshaw.com
Buy It: Amazon Music

Over the past decade, there's been a subset of female indie Christian folk artists that craft hymn-like songs over soft melodies. Sandra McCracken stands out among them, but others have joined her like Jess Ray or J.J. Heller. Also joining these women with her full-length debut is Chelsea Hamshaw's Pilgrim, Press On. Born out of a period of Bible study and a health crisis with her husband, Hamshaw's 12-track debut is a contemplative theology of resting in Christ even when all the world seems to be falling apart.

Lyrically, each song feels like a rich poem set to music. Like McCracken and her fellow singer/songwriters, Hamshaw works quite a bit of theology into her songs, from Scripture references to pulling inspiration from saints through history ("Consider," "Rooted," "Christ Is Keeping Me"). But she also throws in personal approaches, like on "Where Are You?" or "Turn Upright." In addition to this, Hamshaw takes time to encourage the listener (like the title track or "Hither Come"). The depth in each tune gives the listener a devotional-esque feeling that can reward subsequent listens.

Musically, Hamshaw follows in McCracken's steps with mid-tempo melodies. Occasionally, the music or melody experiment with a different twist, like on "Where Are You?" or "Plead for Me (Ascension Song)." In general, though, many of the tracks start to blend together by the time you hit the end. One of the downsides to meaty lyrics is that the music has to work harder to keep the listener invested. As such, Hamshaw's songs tend to feel overly long. A couple tracks feel like they're about to wrap up and then the listener is treated to a bridge and 2 more minutes' worth of music. This makes the album feel long and sleepy, though some may prefer that as it gives one the chance to soak into the truth of each track. (For what it's worth, I take the same issue with Sandra McCracken's music as well.)

As a debut, Pilgrim, Press On is a robust, impressive showing. Yes, some tracks could be trimmed down to bring the record under an hour of runtime, but Hamshaw's strong lyricism helps overcome some of these issues. This album feels like a lost record of Sandra McCracken's as sung by J.J. Heller, which is hardly a knock against Chelsea Hamshaw. It goes to show that her debut is worthy to be compared to her veteran forebearers. Fans of slower, hymn-inspired folk music will find great encouragement in Pilgrim, Press On.

- Review date: 12/18/24, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com

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JFH Staff's Second Opinion

For a songwriter, there are two main responses to hardship: you could go ultra emo and whine about it, or you could do what Chelsea Hamshaw did and write songs about trusting in the Lord through it. Hamshaw's debut album, Pilgrim, Press On is a collection of songs that does just that, using faith and Scripture to sing songs of worship to our Creator while encouraging the listener to do the same. Logically, the title track is perhaps the best example of this, as Hamshaw sings, "Pilgrim, press on, press on to Zion / though trials rise higher than the hills, He has drawn nearer still / for the path to which He calls us is the hope to which He draws us / He will not leave us or forsake us, He goes before us and He is with us / so pilgrim, press on, don't lose heart." The lyricism of the album is undoubtedly the biggest draw. Unfortunately, it can be a bit hard to follow along due to the album's length and lack of variation along the way. Pilgrim, Press On is about an hour long and, for the most part, is pretty slow and drawn out, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally (and this is purely subjective on my part), Hamshaw's vocal style is a little distracting, leaning a bit into a modern pop singing style instead of a folkier style to match the genre. However, music fans who gravitate more toward the lyrics will find this album to be fulfilling and more than just a little uplifting. - Review date: 11/25/24, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com

Record Label: None

Album length: 12 tracks: 60 minutes

Street Date: November 13, 2024

Buy It: Amazon Music

Manna (5:55)
Pilgrim, Press On (4:30)
Where Are You? (5:20)
Consider (5:19)
Mercy in the Dust (5:41)
Rooted (4:27)
Unbind the Brokenhearted (5:34)
Turn Upright (5:29)
Christ is Keeping Me (5:30)
Plead for Me (Ascension Song) (4:06)
Hither Come (2:50)
Begone Unbelief (5:40)
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