At long last, Australian songstress Tenielle Neda drops her debut full-length album, The Way of Love. And let me tell you, it's a velvet hammer of sonic sweetness that packs an understated wallop. There's a quiet beauty in The Way of Love that feels like a hushed sanctuary - gentle but grounded, soft yet spiritually substantial.

Produced by Jon Guerra, the album is a delicate and deliberate collection of spiritual meditations shaped by Guerra's signature restraint and subtlety. His fingerprints are evident in the sparse arrangements and atmospheric flourishes that spotlight Tenielle's most potent instrument: her voice.

Tenielle sings like someone who believes every word. Her delivery is gentle, yet decisive -- never timid, always true. There's a warm conviction in her tone, a kind of sacred whimsy that draws you close, rather than pushing a message outward. In a world where vocal gymnastics often steal the spotlight, Neda's quiet command is a gift. Her voice doesn't try to overwhelm but invites you to lean in closer. That rare ability to communicate depth with softness makes every track feel like a personal invitation into stillness and surrender.

With eleven tracks beautifully woven together, The Way of Love invites listeners into moments of sacred reflection. Songs like "Blessed Are (the peacemakers)" and "Blessed Are (the merciful)" are brief but impactful musical prayers, rooted in the teachings of Christ and delivered with reverent restraint. "If I Have No One Else" drapes listeners in delicate instrumentation, while "Wonderful, Wonderful Lord (Ps 139)," featuring Rothbury, is a welcome infusion of energy on an otherwise subdued album, carrying a hopeful lift that still fits comfortably within the album's contemplative palette. "The Lord is My Shepherd" offers calm reassurance rooted in Scripture and the title track "The Way of Love" centers on divine affection both musically and lyrically.

The rest of the album -- "Flood of Love" (feat. Eliza King), "Where Are You? (We will not lose heart)," "The Invitation" (feat. Jon Guerra), "Steadfast Love" (feat. Nick Chambers), and "Every Day I Love You" -- continue this thread of gentle encouragement and heartfelt devotion. It's these closing three songs that make up my favorite run of the track list and continue to draw me back for repeat listens.

What binds the album together is its call to quiet contemplation. From Rothbury's tender harmonies to Guerra's soft production touches and the subtle contributions from each featured artist, every element supports a posture of stillness and intimacy. It's a record made for solitary prayer, early-morning reflection, hushed shepherding of the soul, or meditating on Scripture -- especially before a Sunday service or during personal devotions. Tenielle's vocals are the centerpiece -- not flashy or forceful, but filled with warmth, clarity, and intention. She sings with the grace of someone who knows when to speak and when to simply let the silence say it all. Her voice is both balm and beacon.

In a culture that often lauds louder, The Way of Love is a countercultural whisper. It's an album that reminds us that sometimes the most powerful message is the simplest: "Jesus loves me this I know." And often the deepest encounter with God happens not in the crowd, but in the quiet of our quieted hearts.

- Review date: 7/10/25, written by Josh Balogh of Jesusfreakhideout.com

 

 

 Record Label: None
 Album length: 11 tracks: 36 minutes, 23 seconds
 Street Date: July 4, 2025
 Buy It: Bandcamp

1. Blessed Are (the peacemakers) (1:07)
2. If I Have No One Else (3:21)
3. Wonderful, Wonderful Lord (Ps 139) [feat. Rothbury] (4:34)
4. The Lord is My Shepherd (4:04)
5. The Way of Love (3:51)
6. Blessed Are (the merciful) (1:01)
7. Flood of Love (feat. Eliza King) (3:11)
8. Where Are You? (We will not lose heart) (4:08)
9. The Invitation (feat. Jon Guerra) (3:32)
10. Steadfast Love (feat. Nick Chambers) (4:40)
11. Every Day I Love You (2:49)