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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

Aaron Rios

Aaron Rios
Hiding Place - EP

Street Date: April 20, 2020
Style: Worship / Rock / Pop / Indie
Official Site: AaronRios.com
Get It: iTunes
Get It: AmazonMP3



Pastor and musician Aaron Rios’ debut EP, Hiding Place, is an eclectic mixture of the electric guitar moments of early Michael Gungor Band, the theatrics of Israel Houghton, and a sprinkling of Deitrick Haddon's soaring vocals. “You Alone Reign” is the biggest standout of the four songs, with its genre mash-up of 2000s-era gospel, worship, and a few dashes of hip-hop thrown in for good measure. The vocal-shredding yelp in the latter half of “King of Glory” is achingly-passionate and the most interesting moment of the song. However, the song ultimately treads a little too closely in melody and lyrics to a previously released praise chorus written by Donna Atkins titled, “Glorify Your Name.” This may or may not have been intentional due to the limited amount of chord progressions available to any songwriter, but it ultimately left this reviewer distracted. “More of You” is a smooth listen, aided by a vocal assist from Leah Thibodeau. While closer “Hiding Place” and its ambient beginning is pleasant, it - and the two songs preceding it - falls short of the heights of “You Alone Reign.” This is primarily due to song length and lyrical repetitiveness, with some of the lyrics falling prey to cliché. “Hiding Place” does come closest with its slow-burn build, and electric guitar flourishes making for a peaceful and encouraging close to the album. Overall, Aaron shows enough flashes to have high hopes of future releases. One would think that the recordings may lose a bit in translation with the live versions packing a more dynamic punch. Ultimately, with his velvety vocals and passionate desire to usher listeners into praise and worship, Rios is off to a good start with Hiding Place being a solid launching pad for additional music.

- Review date: 4/27/20, Josh Balogh 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]
ELI GABLE Glory Bound - Single [Capitol CMG]
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]
Claire Leslie Thank God I'm Not Alone (from Claire's Phone) - Single [Capitol CMG]
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]
Tommy Royale, gio. Like Dat - Single [Capitol CMG]
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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