Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 11!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 11!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

Lauren Béa

Lauren Béa
Wildflower

Street Date: October 9, 2018
Style: Pop / Dance / AC
Buy It: iTunes



To say that Austin native Lauren Béa isn't quite a household name just yet would be something of an understatement. Indeed, unless you happened to attend one of the women's conferences for which she provided music, you've probably never heard of her. Luckily for the members of the listening audience, an exhaustive knowledge of her back catalog isn't a requisite for enjoying her debut effort. Purveying a sort of dance/pop/adult contemporary hybrid, Wildflower is aimed at fans - of both genders - who happen to favor those particular musical genres.

Things start off nicely with the toe-tapping dance-pop cut, "Sovereign Still," which transitions seamlessly between its laid-back verses and more bracing chorus. Bookending the proceedings is the closing cover of Hillsong Worship's "What a Beautiful Name," which shows Béa to be equally proficient at slower, worship-based material. In between its beginning and end, though, the record is filled with too many tracks whose rhythms are either awkward ("Everything"), lumbering ("What If We Loved") or simply mismatched to the cadence and pace of their lyrical accompaniment (the title song).

To its credit, the album's themes of positive self-image, aloneness and the loss of an unborn child are bound to resonate with a large portion of her audience. And Béa sings with a strength, clarity and conviction that go a long way toward offsetting her first project's shortcomings. Even with those assets taken into account, though, it's hard not to wish that her freshman outing were graced with tighter beats, a stronger set of melodies and just a little more oomph.

That being said, those who caught her at any of her women's events and liked what they heard will almost certainly find Wildflower to their liking. And its limitations, in the broadest sense, are certainly easy enough to correct. All of which means that, while the majority of dance and pop music purists will want to cherry pick one or two tunes, at most, from her inaugural release, her undeniable talent and admirable conviction bode very well for her sophomore outing and may just well make Béa one of the artists to watch in 2019.

- Review date: 11/1/18, written by Bert Gangl of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out the new single from Katie Lighty!

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

              
Check out the new single from Katie Lighty!

Search JFH




This Thursday, March 23, 2023
ALBUMS
The Undertaking! Superstitions - EP [Futurelore]
The Undertaking! Superstitions (Deluxe Edition) [Futurelore]

This Friday, March 24, 2023
ALBUMS
August Burns Red Death Below [SharpTone]
Austin and Lindsey Adamec Sound of the House Vol. 2 [Integrated]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 1 & 2 [Crossroads]
Owl City Coco Moon (independent)
Project 86 OMNI, Part 1 (independent)
Stockholm Worship Other Side [Capitol CMG]
Micah Tyler People Like US - EP [Fair Trade]
Wilder Woods FEVER / SKY (independent)

SINGLES
Amy Grant Trees We'll Never See - Single [AG/Capitol]
Canyon Hills Worship Abide - Single [DREAM]
Elevation Worship More Than Able - Single [Elevation]
Neon Feather Altar (Here on Earth) - Single [DREAM]
The Rocket Summer Sing At The Top - Single [Aviate]
VillageKNG Forward Motion (feat. KnowdaVerbs, Pettidee) - Single [Soldier Sound]
We Are Messengers Wholehearted (feat. KB) - Single [Curb/Word]


Next Friday, March 31, 2023
ALBUMS
The Classic Crime GRIM AGE (independent)
The Ongoing Concept Again [Solid State]

SINGLES
Tina Boonstra Why Do Good Times Fly? - Single [7Core]
Stillman You'll Be In My Heart - Single (independent)


For all release dates, click here!
 



Listen to the New Album by Glory's Gate!




Listen to the New Album By Erin Corrado!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images