Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Upon first listen, I have to admit that I did not enjoy Malea McGuiness’s debut album, True Believer. By the third-or-fourth listen, however, the music and the lyrics grew on me. I realized this album is not what I typically listen to. It is optimistic, upbeat, and hopeful. The lyrics spew hope and encouragement in times of uncertainty and doubt. The music, which is reminiscent of 70’s pop love ballads, mirrors the lyrics and the light, breathy voice of McGuinness.

The first single from True Believer, Deeper, speaks of the love a woman has for her husband. She writes, “Deeper and deeper, I fall all the way/ I had a fortress round me, waiting to love somebody/ who wouldn’t tear me down that way/ and I have faith in you, and there are very few, / and I really mean “I do.” Her piano accompaniment and seven-piece band perfectly complement the mood and meaning in these lyrics – as they do in all of the songs on this album.

Track nine, Sweet Light, is another popular track that was written in memory of her grandfather, who fought in Iwo Jima and to be an encouragement for those who are currently fighting in Iraq. The chorus goes, “Sweet light, save me tonight, bring me home again/ Sweet light, forgive me tonight, bring me home again.” Although this is an uplifting song, it is also heartbreaking to know that there are people who currently feel this way in the world. Thanks to McGuinness, though, that personal emotion has been put to paper and set to music. She shines a light in an often depressing music industry and allows her experiences, memories, and knowledge to serve as hope for others who are also currently struggling.