Nicois: Un-di-‘ni-a-bel

Nicois

Nicois Music (2012)

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.

“God told me that my ministry is to the nations.  Because of that, my music contains some gospel, some CCM, and some urban.  My music has an international flair.” – Nicois

The Virginia-born Nicois Harris, who goes by her first name (pronounced Neh’-quois), infuses her new CD, Un-di-‘ni-a-bel, released on May 15, with gospel, CCM, urban, as well as pop and rock flavoring.

The result is an album of eleven bright, buzzy, and concise songs—only one is longer than five minutes—that bristle with the static electricity of Christian power pop. 

During “Digital World,” Nicois sings:  “I’m a spiritual girl living in a digital world/I want to feel your heart flow through me.”  Lyrically, she is seeking human and divine connection in a world so tuned in it has tuned out.  Her music, however, is a product of that digital world: some of her songs are driven by throbbing techno and others with bursts of electric rock.  For example, the title track and “No God Like Our God” are praise outings with rock accompaniment that feature layered guitar evocative of U2’s The Edge.

On the other hand, her acoustic “Revive Us” is a cello-dominated appeal for the Lord’s help, while “Burn It All Down” is, like “Digital World,” about worshiping without worldly distractions.  “Glorious” moves with the incessant drive of African drum rhythms, perhaps a nod to her ministerial work in Ghana. 

“Undeniable,” “Burn It All Down,” and “Take Everything,” selections recorded originally for Nicois’ 2011 EP Undeniable, are the standout tracks.  Each is a passionate power praise ballad with a memorable Christian pop melody and moving arrangement.  This combo is Nicois’ strong suit as a singer-songwriter.

Picks: “Undeniable,” “Burn It All Down.”