Reviewed by Matthew Cordle

Australian Nikki Fletcher currently lives in the UK and works for Worship Central, the renowned worship spinoff of Holy Trinity Brompton. This six-song EP features songs written or co-written by the lady. They are intensely personal, conveying a heartfelt desire for more of God's reality in her life. The opening prayer "Let mercy flow in the depths of my soul" sets a thoughtful tone before the main part of "River Flow" kicks in with its bouncy, optimistic pumping rhythm. An atmospheric, effected piano riff precedes a declaration of Jesus' sovereignty and centrality in the universe before we're led to think on heaven and earth meeting in "Worlds Collide", with the resulting exultation "Hallelujah, now the dead in me is raised!" This could very easily be an Amy Grant song. "Draw Me Close" is a vulnerable song that recognises our only security is in Jesus. The stripped-back, plaintive "You Are What I Need" is Nikki's favourite track and she describes it as "my whole life in one song". There are echoes of the beloved speaking in Song of Solomon; "You have pursued me all of the time...you are my prize, my great reward, if I have you I have it all" and amazingly the song flowed out of her in just 20 minutes! The Psalm-like structure of "Wait For You" flows from initial restlessness through the declaration that "I will wait for you, let my heart be still for you are God" to end in praise. The Nathan Nockels-produced "All Glory" is a fantastically uplifting end, declaring "How great is your love that never gives up on me...lift him higher, he is mighty...he is God." This is one of those songs in which you want to both jump up and down in celebration and be on your knees weeping with joy all at the same time...our church learned it this week! Nikki's voice is beautiful; sweet when soft, powerful and edgy when loud, and her intonation is rock solid. She reminds me at times of Tina Arena and Vicky Beeching. With three different producers involved this EP could have sounded disconnected, but in fact it flows as if a natural journey of personal worship and the dynamic contrast both between and within the songs works well.

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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