Francesca Battistelli - My Paper Heart

Producer:  Ian Eskelin
Record Label:  Fervent Records
Website:  http://www.francescamusic.com

Christian music always tends to be about 2 or 3 years behind mainstream music.  It took the industry a couple years to catch on to the teen pop scene a few years ago, and even longer to adopt to the tween and High School Music crowd that is so hot right now.  However, it seems like Fervent Records is right on target with the debut release of Francesca Battistelli’s My Paper Heart.  Battistelli decided she wanted to be an entertainer at a young age due to some influence the theatre had on her.  Though that sparked the flame in Battistelli, theatre music is not Francesca’s first love.  Her debut album, My Paper Heart is a striking pop album full of catchy piano-based pop and clever melodies not unlike what’s being heard at Mainstream Top 40 from songstresses like Sara Bareilles, Vanessa Carlton, or a more radio-friendly-pop oriented Nichole Nordeman.  There’s a lot to like here, as Francesca is not only a fine songsmith - but she’s a fantastic vocalist, featuring a more husky alto that at times resembles a slightly lower-pitched Natalie Grant crossed with the earthy tones of Margaret Becker.  She’s a fantastic pop vocalists and turns out great vocal performances on songs like “My Paper Heart” and “Time In Between.” Her debut hit single, “I’m Letting Go”, sounds eerily similar to Sara Bareilles’ “Love Song”, which explains its hit status at Christian radio, while “Beautiful Beautiful” is a fantastic representation of alternative pop.  Lyrically, Francesca touches on subjects like surrendering your life to God ("I’m Letting Go"), future spouse ("Someday Soon"), self-image ("Beautiful Beautiful"), and much more.  Overall, while My Paper Heart may at times feel a little too much like a clone to what’s hot at Mainstream Top 40 radio, one can’t help but dismiss that as a minor fault due to just how strong this album really is.  Francesca shouldn’t have any problem finding and audience and maintaining it as long as she continues to craft solid pop like this.

Purchase My Paper Heart. 

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