Reviewed by Matthew Cordle

Released on Matthew West's Story House Collective, this single is from Leanna's debut EP. With the title "Funeral" I was expecting a somewhat sombre song of mourning. In fact this is a jaunty, toe-tapping celebration of the burial of "the old me" and praise to God for new birth. The lyrics are arresting: "When my time runs out I'll be happy to leave/Yeah 'cause it won't be me they're laying in the ground/I'll be with you standing in the sun", recognising that there is a poignancy to physical death, before picking up the celebration once again with, "until that day comes I'm throwing a funeral for the old me." The combination of Leanna's sweet voice and a superbly crafted, story-telling song will appeal across the age divide: after two plays my teenage daughters in the other room were singing the catchy chorus from memory and asking me what it was so they could add it to their Spotify libraries.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.