Tori Kelly/Hiding Place/Schoolboy Records & Capitol Records

From Star Search, to American Idol, to being a viral Youtube star, to the Grammys, to the BET awards, a major motion picture (Sing), to Nationwide commercials, Tori Kelly is on fire and very mainstream. So why a KZSU review? Because with all of the mainstream fame, she chose to make her second studio album a gospel album. Yep - a gospel album. That’s why. This album is intimate, instrumentally, was a nice touch, as well. It's almost like a "Tori Kelly, Unplugged" release featuring some great names in Gospel and secular music like Kirk Franklin, Lecrae, the Hamiltones, and Jonathan McReynolds). No FCCs. Favorite tracks: liked each song on this album with one caveat - almost have to be in the right mood for this album. No real bangers on it, but beautifully done nonetheless. Reviewed by Daniel of LJH

*1) 4:45 - Opens with Slow/med tempo, but tempo speeds up after intro to med/fast. Piano, drums, background vocals used almost as a separate instrument, organ. Upbeat. Bass guitar is funky. Drums change to an almost electronic kit, along with some added effects give this track a smooth balance of reflective and yet something once could dance to.
*2) 3:46 - Slow tempo. Organ, piano, jazz drums. Almost a spiritual or quartet type of record. The HamilTones (Anthony Hamilton's background singers) provide a great background arrangement and sound. Some funky things on the production end occur throughout the song (panning, fading in and out, etc.)
*3) 3:36 - Slow tempo. Jazz feel, piano with added effects (might be modulated or just production tricks added to make it pan at different points), also might be an organ included, electric guitar, smooth drums and some added post-production effects for ambient sound.
*4) 5:30 - Slow tempo. 2 great singers (Kelly & McReynolds) kill it. Acoustic guitar, drums with a modified snare. Bass guitar kicks in later for fullness along with a piano, heavily muted.
*5) 5:34 - Slow tempo. Piano, post-production effects (background) - very serene sound, aided by a strummed, acoustic guitar, and a reduced drum kit (kicks, timed with the acoustic guitar strum patterns, and snares)
*6) 4:50 - Slow/med tempo. Piano carries this song almost exclusively, joined by violins which are set way back in the mix and almost turns into an orchestra at around 3 minutes for emphasis. Then drops back down to the simple instrumentation.
*7) 3:34 - Slow/Med tempo. Piano, drums and what could be a bongo for accent, electric guitar, and an organ to accompany, and modified snares (clap), and possibly an electric guitar in there. Joins with Kirk Franklin for a signature sound.
*8) 5:16 - Slow tempo. Nice a cappella sound, with vocals used as instruments. Classic song.