Reviewed by Matthew Cordle

Ms Williams was born in London but is of Nigerian and Dominican origin, and here she has put together a very international flavour five-track EP. In her words, "'Highest Praise' contains a mix of music genres from upbeat soca with a Francophone touch, to makossa and R&B." It comprises four songs plus a remix, lyrically focussed on praise along with the joy and deliverance to be found through life in Jesus. Unfortunately, the tracks here sound like a demo rather than a finished recording. There is definite potential in the songs, and a few good moments such as the electric piano and acoustic guitar parts in "There's No Friend". However, the rest is characterised by plink-plonk sounds, dull drum programming, a smattering of dodgy instrumental timing on "Highest Praise" and, particularly, on "Jesus Est Bon". Plus there is very inconsistent vocal intonation from Moniqa. I can see what she is trying to do here, but I'm afraid she is very unlikely to achieve her stated objective to "shake the world with the international release of her debut EP."

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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