Christian-rock has always been a bit of a sticking point for me – not because it questions my own beliefs but because on the whole the messages that are being conveyed often outweigh the quality of the music. Jodi Essex has completely proved the opposite, with the release of her much-anticipated album ‘Irreverant’, which was launched on June 26.
The quality of songwriting & delivery of songs are first class throughout. The solid opener of ‘Stand Up’ has quirky rock riffs, catchy chorus and ripping solo to kick things off nicely. ‘Soar’ shows Jodi’s vocal qualities on a powerful but slower track that still has those underlying guitar riffs that help make this album stand out. The title track ‘Irreverant’ is an out and out rocker before we are treated to one of the standout tracks, the more traditional power-ballad ‘What is the Truth’ with its epic guitar solo. Even though the tempo eases a bit with this track, the powerful energy is evident and that is what makes this album so strong throughout.
Jodi spent the early part of 2020 releasing a few of these tracks as singles and ‘Symphony’ was one of these songs, with its beautifully subtle harmonies & strings it makes this one of only two real stand-alone slow songs on the album and it really sticks out as one of the surprising highlights for me because of it uniqueness among the more rock oriented tracks. ‘Fighter’ is one of the heavier & fast paced songs on the album and once again you pick up the catchy chorus, as you find yourself singing along after just one listen.
The final four tracks ease the foot off the gas slightly as they are run in the rock ballad vein but don’t let that fool you into thinking the quality drops away. Far from it, as ‘Weightless’ is another highlight for me, being a strong rock-ballad that showcases Essex’s vocal talents before we hit a great 80’s vibe with the foot tapping ‘All Right’. A lone acoustic guitar opens up on ‘Someone Somewhere’ and again we are taken to a place where the chorus is memorable & you are swept along with the nice melody. The album is completed by ‘Rearview Mirror’, which caught me by off guard with its piano lead, as it is the other much slower track on this collection until it slowly rises to be a really strong song to close with and once again we get to enjoy Essex’s hypnotic vocals with nice easy guitar work to boot.
‘Irreverent’ is full of messages that are there for those that want to hear them but it’s also an album to enjoy if you aren’t of a religious nature and that the beauty of this collection of ten tracks. There is a nice blend of melodic & up-tempo songs which make for extremely enjoyable listening. It’s certainly an album that I will revisit and who knows, in the trying times we currently find ourselves in, I may look a bit deeper into the lyrics to find another level of inner strength myself.
Jodi’s band comprises of Jadan Sorenson on guitar & bass, Pablo Melgar on keys, Josh Smith on strings and Jon-Paul Keller on backing vocals. ‘Irreverent’ was written and recorded at Uphill Studios in Atlanta, GA alongside studio owner & producer Sean Hill who also mixed the album, with mastering by Bob Boyd (Ambient Digital, LLC).
7.5/10
TRACKLIST
Stand Up
Soar
Irreverent
What Is Your Truth
Symphony
Fighter
Weightless
All Right
Someone Somewhere
Rearview Mirror
