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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

FoldingLights

FoldingLights
Exiles

Street Date: May 26, 2017
Style: Indie / Acoustic Pop
Buy It: iTunes
Buy It: AmazonMP3


Every decision heard on a great musical project should feel unquestionably necessary. On a fundamental level, if the sounds of the instruments and vocals don't mesh well, there isn't much of a chance that the other aspects of the songs will be properly heard. FoldingLight's 5-song Exiles features deliberate lyrical concepts and a couple ear-perking tunes, but it leans towards generic worship motifs and factitious timbres a bit too much to be all that interesting. Most of the runtime rests in all-too-familiar worship beats that come across as bland, particularly on the opener (“Fear the Night”) and closer (“Rebuild”). Booming drums and power chords feature just enough energy to be appropriate for church, but not enough to be memorable. Sometimes the timbres work really well, as displayed by the darker Western tone of “Noose,” but choruses and verses usually lack aural connection, as on “Fear the Night.” Perhaps the main antagonist against cohesion here is the pairing of Michael Ball's soft and delicate vocal style with arena-style light rock. His vocals work best on the experimental electronic track, “Nehemiah,” and one wonders if more of an ambient setting is the type of music that Ball's voice is made for. His lack of energy doesn't quite fit the louder moments of these songs, but more of an acoustic approach next time around could be compelling.

The most refreshing aspect of this EP is the inspiration behind the lyrics: Nehemiah and the Israelite rebuilding of the temple during exile. Lines like "Nehemiah worked…/Repairing holes in sinner's hearts and homes" make for a more thoughtful listen than typical worship fare, and this vein runs noticeably throughout each of the songs. Still, many of the verses rest in phrases that have been used tirelessly by Ball's worship contemporaries (“Heal this broken heart/Heal this broken life” on “Rebuild,” for example). There's definitely potential for FoldingLights to grow into something more sonically united and adventurous. Ball's soothing vocal approach is worth hearing, but it's understandable if most of the runtime will cause Exiles to be quickly forgotten.

- Review date: 5/21/17, written by Mason Haynie of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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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)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
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]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



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