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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

James Berkley
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James Berkley
Holy Ghost - Single

Street Date: May 23, 2025
Style: Alternative / Acoustic Pop
Official Site: JamesBerkleyMusic.com
Buy It: Bandcamp




Having grown up north of Seattle, James Berkley clearly derives some influence from the quintessential era of coffee shop singer/songwriters (i.e., Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, etc). This is showcased on his latest single, "Holy Ghost." Plenty of sliding chords and string slaps fill out the sounds of this sparse track. The cover art we received calls it a "demo," and it has that feel of missing some production. In spite of this, the music still sounds full enough for the length of the track (under 2 minutes). What helps is solid backing vocals that make up for a lack of other instrumentation. Berkley's voice also carries its own weight in filling out the sound. The song itself is about encountering the Holy Spirit while out and about, surrounded by creation. The words aren't groundbreaking poetry, but they at least avoid all the cliches that could come from a tune like this. It's a song that encourages contemplation in its own sparse, thoughtful way. The lyrics mention listening to music with "the window down low," and this is certainly a song that could fit such a setting. "Holy Ghost" may just be a snippet of James Berkley's larger musical output, but it sounds like a spiritual successor to early Shawn McDonald. Fans of that genre of singer/songwriter will enjoy Berkley's latest and have something to listen to while driving through nature.

- Review date: 6/5/25, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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This Friday, July 11, 2025
ALBUMS
Hammock Nevertheless (independent)
Jeremy Rosado The Waiting Room [Capitol CMG]
Seph Schlueter Counting My Blessings [Provident]
Stars Go Dim Roses [Curb]

SINGLES
Drenae Poof Be Gone - Single [Syntax]
goodwill. Tell Me More - Single [Syntax]
Amy Jay Can't Go Back - Single (independent)
JusJames Praise You (Celebration) - Single [Polished Arrow]
Kelo Critique (ft. DreBeeze Da Godson & Justice Jackson) - Single [Syntax]
Jamie MacDonald Desperate (feat. Lauren Daigle) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Myles Maestro 280ZX - Single [Syntax]
NXTMIKE JESUS IS NOT YOUR GIRLFRIEND! - Single [Syntax]
Q-Flo Get Up and Go (ft. Duprae) - Single [Syntax]
tonyxtrotter Rest - Single [Syntax]
Joel Vaughn Get Over It - Single [DREAM]
Phil Wickham Song of the Saints - Single [Fair Trade]

VINYL
The Swirling Eddies Let's Spin! Vinyl [Girder]
The Swirling Eddies Outdoor Elvis Vinyl [Girder]
The Swirling Eddies Zoom Daddy Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, July 18, 2025
ALBUMS
Justin Gambino Just Like Jesus - EP [Residence Music]
The Inspirations Up Above The World So High [Horizon]
Mary-Clair Enough [Vere]
The Rocky Valentines Music On The Shelf [Velvet Blue]

SINGLES
Zane Walls Think About Me - Single [DREAM]



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