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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

Firma Collective

Firma Collective
Songs For Every Soul

Street Date: May 4, 2018
Style: Worship
Buy It: AmazonMP3
Buy It: iTunes



Worship acts have it pretty hard. There seems to be a typical trajectory of unforeseen popularity born from a specific sound, and whether or not an artist attempts to leave that pigeon-hole, either leads to unoriginality or failed reinvention. That's why there's always hope when a new group comes onto the scene, particularly when it is led in part by legendary engineer Tom Mgrdichian. Although Firma Collective certainly provides the sonic variety that one would hope for from a debut worship release, Songs For Every Soul mostly feels more like a hodge-podge of singles than a united vision.

A mere list of present instrumentation and styles reveals that there is a lot going on here: hymn "Mercy's Tree" features synths and bagpipes, blues tune "Faithful Lord" utilizes slide guitars and electronic percussion, and so on. It can be said that there is something for everyone here, but that quality makes for an overloaded, conflicted listen. That tension is noticeable even within individual songs - the aforementioned "Faithful Lord" puts off an attitude that doesn't match with the abstract vocal melody in the verse or the uplifting chord progression in the chorus.

Even though a lot of sonic ground is covered, the structure of the songs themselves feels very tired. There are a lot of subdued verses that lead into big choruses that are linked by bridges with builds. The only tune that shakes up this formula really well is the modern rendition of "Be Thou My Vision," which feels more like a continuous build than anything else. It's also supported by an intriguing meter, emotional mood, and a surprising mix of timbres. Still, the rest of the tracks are a lot more forgettable because of it.

It's hard to say that Firma Collective's Songs For Every Soul isn't well-executed. The performances are solid, the production is pristine, and the genre diversity is appreciated. On the other hand, this debut is a perfect release of how over-stuffing can actually take away from the intended impact of music. Every soul is likely to enjoy at least one of these songs, but reining in the ambition would have made this project feel much more cohesive.

- Review date: 5/7/18, written by Mason Haynie of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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This Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
B. Tee Told You [Syntax]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
Empowered SALT - EP (independent)
Homesick Prodigals Different Good (independent)
KDNS After Eden [Syntax]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Kevi Morse Kingston We Winning [Syntax]
Pulpit Vomit Hospital Lens [Rottweiler]
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno Dance for Jesus - EP (independent)
Taylor & Co Worship Breakthrough - EP (independent)
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
abenezer i was lost - Single [Gotee]
Joe L Barnes Good Shepherd (Studio Version) - Single [Provident]
Sho Baraka Still Got Faith (ft. L3xdivine) - Single [Syntax]
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Katty Camargo Shine Upon Me - Single (independent)
The CCC Collective Thankful - Single (independent)
C4 Crotona Mr. Gritty - Single [Syntax]
CXMMXNS Trust and Obey (feat. CAIN) - Single [Provident]
EJ Swavv & Nickwit2Ks Growth - Single [Syntax]
Forrest Frank GOD'S GOT MY BACK - Single [River House / 10K]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Noah Paul Harrison Oh Lord My God (Live) - Single [Bethel]
J.Solo All I Have (ft. Kaboose & MotionPlus) - Single [Syntax]
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Lecrae Bless You (feat. Torey D'Shaun) - Single [Reach]
TobyMac God Did It (feat. Jamie MacDonald) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Matt Maher Wait (Radio Version) - Single [Provident]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
QEW JOYXFIX (ft. Stevie Rizo) - Single [Syntax]
Naomi Raine God Will Work It Out - Single [Tribl]
Rave Jesus Runnin' - Single [Provident]
Saints in Exile Bad Vibes - Single [Syntax]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Silent Reflection Left Me for Dead - Single [Syntax]
Michael W. Smith Your Love Is A Flood - Single [The Fuel]
John Stratton The Body and the Blood - Single [Pure Mosaic Services]
Regina Vandereijk You're the Light - Single (independent)
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zach Williams Killed A Man - Single [Provident]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]

This Saturday, July 26, 2025
SINGLES
Anthony & Tiffany Salerno What Would You Do? - Single (independent)

Next Friday, August 1, 2025
ALBUMS
Crash Rickshaw Big Sir - EP [Velvet Blue]
McKamey Legacy Holding to Truth [Horizon]
Ordained Thunder Roar [Girder]
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM Worship]

SINGLES
Dan Bremnes Human - Single [Curb]
Lauren Daigle Let It Be A Hallelujah - Single [Centricity]
Sleeping At Last Believe - Single (independent)

VINYL
Disciple Attack! (Limited Run Vinyl) Vinyl [Girder]



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