Scene and Heard – CCLI : In You –  Geni (reviewed by Dave Franklin)

Faith is a very personal concept, music however is universal and it is the most natural thing in the world to use music as a way of celebrating your faith, expressing your adoration and adherence and spreading the word which you hold dear. It is safe to say that it is one of the main the reasons music even survived and evolved through the ages, most early music being devotional in nature and sacred in purpose. And whilst religious terms may put some listeners off, after all we don’t all see the world the same way, In You, carries a very universal and relatable message. Belief. Not just in a higher power but in yourself, the people around you, belief that you can get through the worst times, belief that things will get better.

Geni was inspired to write it after reading a  note from someone that she knew, someone. who had become so overwhelmed by the pressures of life that they saw suicide as the only way out. She says that she prayed asking God for the right words to counsel him with and the song just began to take form .She knew then that the song was the direction he needed.

And musically too, In You is totally accessible in a wider musical context. It may adhere to the gospel genre in its lyrical delivery but musically it reminds us that genres move on and grow and this falls as much into the realm of balladic pop as it does the traditional and iconic sound of the gospel genre.

It is a soft and subtle song, one that sits easy on the ears yet has a message that can’t be ignored, but neither does it ever feel as if it is preaching. It is based on love, sentiment, faith and emotion, and is celebratory without being too obvious about it. And whilst Geni is blessed with a wonderfully sweet and resonant voice it is an inherent sensitivity and passion which shines through the song more than anything.