A Dream to Believe In, Vol. 2 echoes previous Mullen albums in its mix of family-centered themes and multi-ethnic sounds. Less autobiographical in content than 2007’s Sharecropper’s Seed, Vol. 1, this release finds Nicole considering the state of male/female relations and meditating upon the pressures of modern life. Old school R&B, hip-hop, and Latin elements are interwoven seamlessly here. Mullen’s honeyed tones and silken phrasing bring out the warmth in “Yo Mama” (an ode to maternal love), “Start Over Again” (a comment upon troubled marriages), and “Treat Her Like a Lady” (a call for respect and devotion). On the bolder side is “Brainwash,” a protest against media overload with an aggressive tobyMac-like feel. “Work with Me (Dance)” — a groove tune of almost inescapable catchiness — is aimed more at the feet than the spirit. God is not stinted on this album, though. “Forever You Reign” and “Blessed and Broken” are sweeping expressions of devotion. A voice for faith and unity, Mullens continues to fight the good fight in these tracks.