Lovkn celebrates our Home Called Heaven — Album Review
This songwriter creates a cozy encore of Psalms, defined by a tender celebration of resilience and hope.
Lovkn (Love-kin) is a Christian singer/songwriter from Phoenix, AZ. When I first listened to his 2018 singles, his creative and folksy style of music enticed me quite a lot.
Early on his talent is evident since he, real name Steven, recorded his first album, Into Freedom, with one acoustic guitar and one microphone all on an old 2011 Macbook.
His debut manages to sound strenuous yet devotional, bringing acapella vocals to make it more full and lively, while it still sounded unhindered by its lo-fi limitations.
After raising money to record a new album, and one that’s distributed by Contemporary Christian juggernaut Integrity Music.
I wonder how his sophomore, titled Home Called Heaven, would play out creatively.
First of all, it retains an established mellow and melodic vibe that you’ll notice once you hear his music.
The sharper and more bona fide production may seem like a complete overhaul, though in retrospect, it’s only a modest upgrade.
There are signs of a broader atmosphere not present in his previous songs, thanks in large part to different instruments creating different rhythms, creating some sort of depth.
Home Called Heaven feels like a cozy celebration of a stoic spirit. It’s a sundown encore of Psalms, evoking this image of singing together near a bonfire after a long day of fasting.
In an abstract manner, all these songs feel like a vessel of devotion, emotion, and even Worship a few times.
The production, even if it feels different, still makes way for many moments of sincerity and vulnerability.
As a result, like Lovkn’s other material, his sophomore relatively sounds like a breezy well-formed Indie Folk sound.
Its get together nature reminds me of Country music a fair bit. I mean, he recorded this in Nashville with renowned producer Mitch Dane.
Don’t get me wrong though, I appreciate the record for what it is. But there are some days when it bums me out.
What made Lovkn special for me, his inventive playing style, homemade production and playful spirit, is noticeably absent here.
The way he used his instrumental limits to his advantage, like a “less is more” type of ethos is quite compelling and intriguing.
But once he had his newfound production, what now? It felt like there’s no reason to return with the playfulness of Necessary Love and Darkness Into Light.
But at the end of the day, all my criticisms all feel too arbitrary, even for me. His songwriting is still genuine and a blessing, it’s just under different clothes.
Now for the lyricism of this record. On his website, Lovkn has said that the album is “a reminder of the future hope we have in our heavenly home, despite the challenges and trials we face on this earth.”
The circular Mirror on the album cover is also a pretty interesting concept. It’s nothing too deep, it’s him reflecting on home from the heavens.
At times, the album gets delicately testimonial, like on Obsession with Eyes, Mercy Shores and I Can See. Others are more inspired by Biblical word, like Lean Back and In the Beginning.
That’s a neat balance in my book if you ask me.
The opener Home Called Heaven has these breezy organs, sweltering keys and slick drums setting up the album’s distinct tone.
We see Lovkn here singing about peace and assurance on this high rhythmic register, I quite like it.
This big number Obsession with Eyes is about his tendency to be judgmental and anxious instead of loving your neighbor.
That depiction of struggling from it is a relatable and a meaningful topic to tackle.
The track Greater is He has playful strumming reminiscent of Into Freedom, wispy electric guitar, and the bridge. Ooh!
It’s musically one of the best moments on this record, as it’s got several elements coming together smoothly.
The title of Mercy Shores refers to being near God’s presence, after feeling contempt and carrying a lot of burdens, eliciting the feared ocean along with Survive These Seas, with its piano introduction reminding me of Hillsong’s Oceans.
This solemn number I Can See is written from God’s perspective. It’s beautiful and I wanna cry to this. Just gotta find the right time.
In The Beginning is this humble ode to the Bible and its folk influence sound quite sweet.
The best example of this album’s Country Influence is lead single Lean Back, the melody of the hook next to the tambourine, along with the get together nature is what I’m probably hearing.
I do like Taking Time with the lyrics “Maybe I’m living, but I’m not alive, Divided I am two faced, Trying to fight it, but today I’m taking time to listen, I’m taking time to pray.”
I think that speaks for itself.
The penultimate track Returning is the most solemn and personal on here, as it embodies the “I Surrender” part of the journey we always face, and I really appreciate that.
And finally, the closer New (Acoustic) is a testament to God healing every broken spirit and heart, into someone new.
There’s not a lot of Christian music that I personally enjoy. I don’t think there’s a problem with the message, but rather the depth of sound of many examples.
Nonetheless, even though I can see the plain appealing accessibility of this record, from its sound to its message. I enjoyed this more than I expected.
This is an extended version of my album review on my Instagram: The Left Ear with Lee. Be sure to follow me on Medium and on Instagram. Thanks!
