Lawrence Hancock – See Me Through

Lawrence Hancock
See Me Through
Independent (release date: April 19, 2024)

By Robert M. Marovich

Christian hip hop artist Bishop Lawrence Hancock’s tenth studio album, See Me Through, is a litany of spiritual emotion channeled through a moody atmosphere reminiscent of Phil Collins’s debut solo hit “In the Air Tonight.” Even Hancock’s spontaneous pleading evoke Collins’s own on the iconic song.

Consistent with his prior albums, Hancock’s musical ethos is stream-of-consciousness prayer closet lyricism set to repetitive and hypnotic but subdued electronica, the totality of which borders on performance art. Melodic similarities between the songs make the album feel like one continuous psychedelic spiritual composition rather than a series of distinct musical motives.

Most of the songs are so profoundly personal that it is as if Hancock doesn’t even acknowledge that listeners are sharing the sonic atmosphere with him. Hancock’s agonizing singing on such cuts on the title track, “Mercy Fall,” and “Take My Hand” (not Dorsey’s song) can’t help but soften the Lord’s heart. A second voice, Hancock’s own, lurks in the background on many tracks. It answers the calls of Hancock-as-lead with an incessantness that sounds like a personification of his conscience.

Exceptions to the overall vibe are the acoustically vigorous and polyrhythmic “You Commanded Yourself,” an expression of gratitude from Hancock to the Lord for loving him. “King Triumphant” is a rapped sermonette about preparing for the second coming. Compelling rhyming makes the worship piece “Let Me Put My Hand on It” the album’s best genuine Christian hip hop selection. Whines of steel guitar and banjo rolls peek out of “That’s My Desire,” a declaration of discipleship. “And Did (God Did)” does something similar but with Latin-flavored piano riffs and percussion.

The baker’s dozen of selections on See Me Through are radio-sized, with not one reaching the four-minute mark, though again, the album, like Hancock’s others, is best listened to—perhaps even designed to be listened to—in its entirety.

Three of Five Stars

Pick: “I Appreciate the Love”