MARCUS CHEONG listens to Bel Thomson’s Seasons…
Album: Seasons
Artist: Bel Thomson
Year: 2018
www.belthomson.com
In a word: Authentic
“Seasons’ strongest moments are found in the songs that have come out of a fervent wrestle with God. In these songs you can hear the sincerity in the quality of Bel’s voice and almost see the tears that must have been shed to attain such wisdom. After nearly 15 years since her debut, Seasons is a testament to a faith that endures, a hope that sustains and a love that surrounds no matter the time or circumstance.”
Seasons is the 4th inspirational album from Queensland’s Bel Thomson and carries with it a sense of a seasoned artist sharing stories from her life in this deeply personal expression of worship. This album was recorded in Nashville, in the US, with Grammy-nominated producer Ed Cash and features 10 songs of contemporary worship, encouragement and praise.
Aptly named Seasons, the music takes the listener on a journey through the ups and downs that have clearly been experienced by this artist. Beginning with a triumphant anthem recounting the joy and excitement of salvation, Seasons continues with the summery The Name of Jesus, declaring the power of God in a duet with Nathan Tasker.
The atmosphere shifts midway through the album with a melancholy meditation on the greatness of God and then it is the sixth track – Holding You – where the coldest season experienced by Bel is explored. After experiencing post-natal depression in a pregnancy that didn’t go as expected, this touching ballad is an intimate prayer for her newborn son culminating in an uplifting response from God to these prayers.
The remaining songs have the sound of a faith tested by fire but ultimately deepened by the experience. Of particular note is Bel’s mash-up of the classic hymn Great is Your Faithfulness with the new melody My Inheritance. In the context of this journey, there is a clear picture of someone that is not just saying familiar words but working out genuine emotions in the midst of great challenge.
Lyrically, Bel fuses faith filled words with phrases taken directly from Scripture – two tracks even contain complete readings from the Bible. The rhyme structure is often somewhat predictable and you therefore may find yourself completing the sentences even on the first listen through. This does however make the tunes easy to pick up and I can imagine listeners quickly being able to sing along to their favourites.
Seasons’ strongest moments are found in the songs that have come out of a fervent wrestle with God. In these songs you can hear the sincerity in the quality of Bel’s voice and almost see the tears that must have been shed to attain such wisdom. After nearly 15 years since her debut, Seasons is a testament to a faith that endures, a hope that sustains and a love that surrounds no matter the time or circumstance.
