NEW ALBUM: Jake Nauta - From These Hands

I have to say, I was just starting to get into Playjerise and then they announced that they’re doing their FINAL tour in 2010! Although I was there for their opening show at The Metro Theatre, I was a little devastated that I hadn’t appreciated their music before they were ending. But…2011 is a brand new year and Jake Nauta has released his solo album, From These Hands.

From These Hands is a beautiful compilation of acoustic melodies and inspiring lyrics. With traces of favourites form Playjerise, this album still carries those amazing acoustic rhythms and melodic piano compositions. In saying so, this album has really brought out a different sound for Nauta and no one is complaining! I was really excited when I was able to hear some of it live at Big Exo this year, and it was amazing!

Alright, let’s talk about From These Hands…

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Come Back Home

“From your love I know I’ve fallen. Back to light, I know it’s calling; I’ll come back home.”

I’m not too sure if this is the song Nauta described as “like a horse ride,” but it starts off sounding like a typical country-western theme song. The percussion that accompanies the acoustic guitar lifts the song a little more and adds to the horse-ride feel. What I really enjoy listening to in this song is the mid section where Nauta sings, “To you – ooh – ooh – ooh…” and the backing vocals are singing, “I’ll come back home.” That little section just pulls back from the rhythm to highlight the vocals, which is perfect to really digest the lyrics of the song. I love the ‘Prodigal Son’ theme that runs through the song, makes sense with the rhythm!

Here With You

“I don’t want to fail you, but I know I will. A part of me wonders why you love me still.”

What I love the most about this song is the lyrics. It’s an accurate portrayal of the Christian walk. As believers we want to give it all to our heavenly Father, but a part of us still lingers with doubts because of our sinfulness. The music supports the lyrics with its mellow combination of acoustics and little trickles of the xylophone here and there. Nauta’s voice carries a narrative touch where sadness and bliss intertwine as he sings this song, creating lovely atmosphere as you listen to it.

Lights

“Don’t lose that light, the light in your eyes. Can’t you see the world is changing?”

Softer than the previous two songs, Lights has a vibrant way of simply focusing on the vocals. Stripped back to just the acoustics at first, the lyrics really come to life and the overall message of never loosing hope resonates as you sit and listen. In the build up, your spirit can’t help but be stirred and encourage; you’ll find yourself singing along with the “Ha-ha-ha-ahhhs”.

Nothing Left To Loose

“There’s nothing left to loose. One day I was lost, but now I’m found in you.”

I have to say this is one of my favourite songs. I’ve always loved Jake’s falsettos and this song is packed with them! But I really like the rhythm as the song picks up and as it descends again, it’s like a rollercoaster that reflects the Christian life. It’s that point in life where you look back at your past and you’ve tried to fill your life with instant satisfactions only to find that they’re not enough. Then you find yourself at the point of grace, where you take the leap of faith, because there’s nothing left to loose. There’s a real sense of the search for ‘something more’ in this song with the combination of the lyrics and the accompaniment.

Back In Time

“I wanna go back to the day I loved you like a child. Over and over I would say, ‘Your love is the only way.’”

Another one of my favourites, this song is like a lullaby. It’s got that childish aspect to it, which is perfect with the lyrics of the chorus. The backing vocals’ angelic “Ohs” and “Ahs” give it that dream-like feel. It almost like an adult closing their eyes and imagining a time where they were simply innocent and carefree. Inspired by Mark 10:15 where Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” I would say this song is a great reminder for those of us on the journey to heaven: go back to your first love (Rev 2:4).

In Your Eyes

“You know I see the same thing in your eyes, shining so bright; looking at the same thing in your eyes.”

This is my favourite song on this album. Every since I got a copy of Jake’s Here With You single at Exo, I couldn’t stop listening to this song. I like the melody throughout the song and the guitar tapping in the first chorus. It has a light-hearted feel to it that makes you want to sway from side to side. I love singing along to the crescendo where Jake sings, “We are waiting for something more…more than this life.” It’s kind of like a battle cry of hope – there’s more than this life.

The Outside

“You will always be waiting; on the outside waiting for me”

This is a lovely piano based song that you just want to sit a listen to. Truth rings out with every note and word sung. Nauta’s lyrics cannot be separated from the biblical truths that resound in his heart. This soft ballad just lifts up the spirit to the promise of God waiting for us to come home to Him. This song is soft and slow to reflect God’s patience for those who are still finding their way to Him.

Grandpa Song

“I’m in your hands tonight.”

This song has a calm sit-outside-in-the-sun feel to it. The guitar plucking, claps and clicks resonate with a nice olden-day theme of the song. It’s a laid back song about being secure in the grasp of love. You have to bob your head with the beat and join in the clapping and clicking when you listen to it. You could probably sway to it, but it’s not one that you need your dancing shoes for, but it’s a great song to rhythmically get into.

Are You With Me

“Just how I love you like I do.”

This song is almost like a chase with the percussion playing at a quick pace, yet softly, in the background. It’s as though music is suggesting that the persona is attempting to gain back something he’s lost or let slip by. The “whooo-ooohs” and “ahhhh-ahhhhs” give it a lighter feel, as though there’s a hint of reflection over the decision being made. In contrast to the accompaniment, the lyrics pull the tempo back to hone down the epiphany that’s come into place. It’s a really dynamic piece that plays with temporality and succeeds in the execution.

Now I’ve Found You

“Our love something I can’t forget; It’s still the same and I will no let you slip away from me, now I found you.”

Another piano based song that reflects on the goodness of God. The piano echoes that of classic hymns and has a beautiful way of calming the spirit. It’s perfect for the message it carries of God being the same yesterday, today and tomorrow; that He’s continually changing us for the better, because we’ve found Him and now, He reveals more and more of His love for us daily.

Overall

This album is one you can listen to anywhere. I love the biblical truths that run through it and there realities of what it means to be human that are reflected in the songs. From These Hands is worth purchasing on iTunes or at JB Hi-Fi or Koorong. It's a delight to have on your iPods, cars and homes.

sL Start Rating: 5 Stars

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