Joe Frey – ‘Hold Fast’ album review

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It’s fitting that emerging New England singer-songwriter Joe Frey’s most recent release is an EP—which, in this case, should stand for “encouraging people.” On Hold Fast (buy), Frey overlaps the message of God’s hope and restoration time and again, especially on the collection’s strongest tracks “Restore My Soul” and “Faithful.” You can feel the passion in Frey’s voice, as his often-tinny melodies effectively rise and strain like that of David Grey, but also echo the ethereal a la Benjamin Birdwell and very slight (but present) hint of Bono on certain phrasings and meter. Overall, Hold Fast is a promising project that should pave the way for more great music to come.