Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Over the last few years, UK-based singer/songwriter April Shipton has released a steady stream of singles and her first full length album collects some of them together along with extra material. As its title suggests, this is a release which sees Shipton taking a wide view on her walk with God and, and for the most part, it finds the singer on top of the mountain celebrating her Lord's grace, mercy and goodness with numbers like "Invincible", "Big Ol' Mountain" and "Journey On", a hit on StpForward's UK Christian Chart. All possess a victorious tone which, when April's adolescent struggles with anorexia and depression are taken into account, are particularly moving. For the majority of this release, things are kept upbeat with bold '80s-tinged musical backdrops accompanying her breezy vocals - sounding at times a little like Sophie Ellis-Bextor - although more considered numbers like "Chapters", "One More Mountain" and "Your Ways" are wisely included to offer up some perspective away from the "everything's great" vibe found elsewhere. In writing these songs, Shipton has worked with a team of seasoned songwriters including Dave Wheeler, Philippa Hanna and Andy Baker and, as a result, has a strong debut in her pocket.

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