Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Considering the major Christian music success that singer/songwriter Holly Marie Miller has already enjoyed (a hit guesting on TobyMac's 'This Is Not A Test' album; a successful single "Alone (ftg TRU)" and being nominated as New Artist Of The Year at the Dove Awards) this, Hollyn's full-length debut, has received some surprisingly mixed reviews. One reviewer suggested that 'One-Way Conversations' was "bogged down by some confusing directions and a handful of under developed songs" while another suggested that Hollyn's music was "unique, fresh, invigorating, powerful, emotive, different". The truth is this is an impressive set which shows that the radio hits contained on her 'Hollyn' EP were no flash in the pan and that she is able to deliver urban-tinged pop (not dissimilar to something Selena Gomez or Justin Bieber might offer) while not getting stuck too rigidly in that particular radio-friendly template. For instance there is a chunk of out-and-out hip-hop "Party In The Hills" with rap-meister Andy Mineo and newcomer Steven Malcolm and a pumping piece of EDM on the Capital Kings remix of "Love With Your Life". Lyrically too Hollyn is on the money with "Can't Live Without You" being an honest confession of loneliness and "Obvious" giving wise counsel to a friend ("I can't help you if you don't let your walls fall down"). Sure, the lyrics on "Girl (ftg Tree Giants)" are a tad banal but this is still an album way above the stylised stuff which often clogs up American Christian radio playlists.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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