Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear

R&B/Soul

The title might seem a bit strange, Hello Fear but Kirk Franklin explains it like this: “I titled this album Hello Fear because – with everything going on in the world – it is the word and the feeling, that paralyzes all of us on some level right now”. He continues “In my own life, fear has been a shadow that has followed me since I was a child. But the season of running from it is over. I am turning around and speaking directly to it.” So is this an album of song about Kirk dealing with this issue of fear? The simple answer is yes, and he does this in his own style and sound that we have all come to know and enjoy.

The album opens with the melancholic title track, “Hello Fear,” featuring Kirk performing his best work over a clean piano and a hand clap that maintains the slow beat. Tracks like Before I Die and the radio single I Smile give the album a more cheerful gospel flavour. Yet for every energetic song Kirk pulls the album back down to delicate soulful tones with tracks like I Am and But The Blood displaying a much softer side of Kirk.



Another song that doesn’t make the standout tracks but deserves a mention is the track Today which has a slightly more dance edge. Lyrically not moving far from the whole concept of the album, this is a great song with the chorus “Who can touch like You or heal us like You do. We stumble and we stray still You always get us through. Who make all things new and comes to our rescue, death hell and the grave they could not conquer You”. The song ends with a fabulous orchestral finish

Hello Fear is a truly brilliant album that features heartfelt lyrics on the topic of the fear we live with, mixed with amazing vocals from numerous strong female backing vocalists. Kirk Franklin is back with a wonderful, soulful gospel record.

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Kirk Franklin’s Hello Fear’s Tracklist

2. The Story Of Fear
3. Before I Die
4. I Am
5. But The Blood
6. Everyone Hurts
7. I Smile
8. Give Me Feat. Mali Music
9. Never Alone Interlude
10. The Altar Feat. Marvin Sapp And Beverley Crawford
11. Something About The Name Of Jesus Part 2 Feat. Rance Allen, Marvin Winans, John P. Kee And Isaac Carree
12. Today
13. The Moment #1
14. The Moment #2
15. A God Like You

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