Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

(the autumn)

(the autumn)
Sessions, Volume 1 - EP

Street Date: November 15, 2019
Style: Praise & Worship
Official Site: Official Website
Buy It: iTunes
Buy It: Amazon Music



(the autumn), Chris Shalter and Ali Roth, gave us a more airy and atmospheric venture in 2017, but returned in 2019 with the stripped down and acoustic Sessions, Vol. 1. The short 3-song EP is a live recording featuring an acoustic guitar along with Shalter and Roth's vocals. Their 2017 album, Glorious Light, was a nice outing, but Sessions feels much more intimate and moving. The songs here are more like "Strong in Us" from their debut.

"Mercy|Grace" (from their 2018 album, Songs of Mercy and Grace) features Shalter on lead vocals with a beautiful finger-picked guitar part to complement the vocals. Roth joins in harmony for the second verse and adds some nice depth and dimension. In the bridge, Shalter sings a powerful, "You ran into our darkness; You called us from the grave. You brought us to the table no longer dressed in chain. In freedom now we sing out the power of Your name. Jesus, there is no other; let every tongue proclaim. You stand above all others unmatched in all Your ways. Your kingdom is forever; all Heaven gives You praise. And when the battles rises and when the oceans rage; still You will part the waters. God, You will make a way." "Unto Us," the duo's newest single, follows with Roth leading and carries that same picked acoustic guitar. The track really highlights just how pretty of a voice Roth has and also features Shalter with harmonies this time. The song is on the level with the outstanding opener. The final song to play on this short EP is "One Thirst and Hunger" -- featuring both Roth and Shalter on lead. The track does a lot to highlight the duo's vocal prowess and serves as a strong closer that asks for the presence of God to "come and fill this place."

Sessions, Vol. 1 is a really great EP that captures the heart and feeling of a live recording. Its biggest detractor is its brevity. Chris and Ali show that you can have great worship with just a single guitar and a singer or two. My hope is that Volume One means that there is a second volume planned for 2020. Fans of modern worship, especially acoustic driven worship, should definitely give this EP some attention. It's beautiful in every way -- from the instrumentation, to the vocals, to the lyricism. Hopefully more of this is soon to come.

- Review date: 1/27/20, written by Michael Weaver of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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JFH Indie Spotlight Review . Record Label: None
. Album length: 3 tracks: 17 minutes, 38 seconds
. Street Date: November 15, 2019
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music

  1. MercyGrace (Acoustic) [Live] (7:17)
  2. Unto Us (Acoustic) [Live] (4:50)
  3. One Thirst and Hunger (Acoustic) [Live] (5:31)

 

 

 

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This Friday, September 19, 2025
ALBUMS
Sho Baraka Midnight of a Good Culture [Syntax]
Dave Barnes The Songs That Got Away (independent)
Influence Music One True God (independent)
LO Worship Songs For the Anxious Heart [Integrity]
Mainstream Worship Dwelling Place [DREAM Worship]
Lauren Mann Heaven - EP (independent)
Mat & Savanna Just How Strong You Are (independent)
Jackie Hill Perry Blameless [Reach]
Zane Walls Dry Bones - EP [DREAM]
Zach Williams Jesus Loves [Provident]
Paul Wright GOD SONGS (independent)

SINGLES
1K Phew MOVE IT! (feat. Forrest Frank and 1K Pson) - Single [Reach]
Anike That's God (feat. Porsha Love) - Single [Reach]
Elan Brio From Sin to Grace - Single (independent)
GZeal No Time - Single [Syntax]
I.A.N. & Cas Yahweh - Single [Syntax]
Vic Lucas Call On Me ft. Domi Grace - Single [Syntax]
No Vain Glory GRAH - Single [Syntax]
Frankie Orella Like This - Single (independent)
Nate Parrish That's Just Life - Single (independent)
Poor Old Lu A Forest - Single (independent)
Razzie, g!ng, Ally Minju NOSEBLEEDS - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes in Harmony Make Room - Single [Syntax]
Rosemont Dust - Single (independent)
Saved By Skarlet Memory Relapse - Single (independent)
Taylor & Co Worship and Luke Wareham No Holding Back - Single (independent)
Tds Cam Never Really Cared - Single [Syntax]
John Waller & WallerCo & Eric Lee Brumley Surprise Me - Single [DREAM]
Tauren Wells Fight Like Heaven - Single [Capitol CMG]

Next Friday, September 26, 2025
ALBUMS
Glae Black Cloud - EP [Broken Curfew Records]
Michael Gabriel Monroe Some Things I've Been Learning About God [Provident]
Kevin Schlereth Settle In (independent)
Chris Tomlin The King Is Still The King [Capitol CMG]
Voluntary Mortification Mortem Cultus - EP (independent)

SINGLES
The Rogers Family He's Still God - Single [Horizon]
Terrian Testimony - Single [Gotee]


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