Laura Hackett

Christian singer/songwriter Laura Hackett doesn’t hide her fears and longings under waves of guitar noise or thunderous beats. Her sensitive, slightly bittersweet lyrics are framed by tuneful folk-rooted melodies, inviting comparisons with the work of Sara Groves and Audrey Assad. On her self-titled debut album, she pours out her desire to grow closer to God with openhearted yearning and unaffected joy. Singing from the viewpoint of both believer (“Beautiful Mercy,” ”Here with Me Now”) and Savior (“Give in to Me”), she combines polished craft with a refreshing honesty that makes familiar themes seem new. Hackett’s honeyed vocals shine in ruminative ballads like “Carving Out a Place” and “Love’s a Mystery,” as well as more forceful tracks like the gospel-rooted “When I Am Afraid” and the rocking “Living Hope.” She delivers a particularly expressive performance on the deeply compassionate ”Let’s Survive This.” Uncluttered guitar and piano-centered arrangements (embroidered here and there with strings) create the intimate feel of a church coffeehouse jam.