Not Without Love

iTunes Review

Beneath his deceptively breezy style, Jimmy Needham is a serious-minded commentator on everyday struggles of faith. Not Without Love makes good on the promise shown by his debut album Speak, building its tracks around the singer/songwriter’s jazzy rhythms and softly-swinging vocals. Personal testimony takes center stage on confessional tracks like “A Breath or Two” and the title song (a starkly powerful spoken-word piece). The grandeur of God-centered compositions like “The Great Love Story” and “Forgiven and Loved” is complimented by the romantic intimacy of “Firefly” and “Unfailing Love (Kelly’s Song).” Needham takes risks lyrically in “Hurricane” (a call for rebirth through destruction) and gets provocative in “Tossed by the Wind” (a swipe at the demoralizing effects of higher education). Will Hunt’s production keeps the focus on Needham’s acoustic guitar and Josh Moore’s keyboards, with hints of hip-hop and rock balladry added for seasoning. A summery back porch jam feel pervades many of these tracks but the content of the songs is far from casual. Not Without Love is smart, buoyant, and reverent to its core.