Shine On

Heath McNease takes off his familiar hip-hop gear and slips into the folksy clothes of a singer/songwriter on Shine On. It’s an easy transition for this Georgia-based Christian artist, as proven by the well-crafted, Spirit-informed tunes gathered here. On loose-limbed acoustic numbers like “Won’t Be Back Tonight” and “Get Through Today,” McNease’s warm and playful style sounds like a cross between Jason Mraz and early solo Paul McCartney. The bruised romanticism of “Leave” (accented by lonesome harmonica) and “Paved” (a poignant childhood memory set to a gentle waltz) suit his soft-spoken vocal presence nicely. McNease shifts the focus to matters of faith in thoughtful pieces like “Jacob’s Song” and “Til the Fever Breaks” (the latter featuring singer Alisa Turner). The shuffling groove of “I Will Live” conveys an intense spiritual yearning, yet comes across as more wistful than preachy. McNease knows how to move with a comfortable rhythmic flow without slipping into feel-good platitudes. His testimony is clear-headed and openhearted, as natural as one friend speaking honestly to another.