TAYA officially embarked on a solo career with the release of her self-titled project in 2023. The follow-up, “The Reminder,” is not only a reminder of the goodness of God; it’s also a reminder of how good TAYA’s voice really is.
Her signature vocals command the 12-track LP that returns the Australia native to her worship roots. While her solo debut was more of a pop effort that leaned into storytelling, “The Reminder” delivers sincere worship anthems and contemplative ballads that soar on the wings of her remarkable range.
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“Each of these songs has been woven together to tell a story of the faithfulness of God, a banner that has been over my life, even when the way has seemed to go through the valley,” TAYA shares. “I pray that these songs would remind you that it is over your life, too.”
The aptly-titled “Worship!” opens the collection, setting the tone for the atmosphere to follow. Meanwhile, the Gospel-tinged “Child of God” captures the unmatched passion of her vocal and the affirmation that we are, indeed, the apple of His eye.
The crescendoing “One and Only” emphasizes the confidence to step into our God-given calling comes only through the crushing, as Jesus Himself modeled on the cross. Afterwards, TAYA strips it down to the basics on piano-led hymn “Simple Phrase,” a love letter to her Savior and one of the album’s best moments.
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An invitation to abandon the shadows, “Come Into the Light” beckons listeners out of hiding with a tender illumination of God’s gentle character. The songstress revisits the single at the end of the record with a live version that also interpolates UNITED’s “Touch the Sky.” The mashup has become a standout performance during TAYA’s recent concerts with its nod to the previous hit.
On “Burn the Bridges,” she issues an authentic, string-laden declaration of commitment to following Jesus all the days of her life.
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Next, sister selections “Walk With You” and “Middle of It All” find the first-time mom discovering God in the mundane moments of ordinary life, appreciating holy glimpses of a divine relationship that stands the test of time and acknowledging that Jesus — not the destination in and of itself — is the true prize.
Elsewhere, the title cut is a definitive reminder of God’s faithfulness as TAYA looks to the past as an indication of the joy and hope the future will undoubtedly hold.
Effervescent radio offering “Gonna Be Good” rounds out the set and reveals her pondering the uncertainties of life with the certainty that wherever the road leads, the Lord’s goodness and mercy are sure to follow.
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On the whole, “The Reminder” is heavy on serious ballads — a stark contrast to the vibrant pop that colored “TAYA.” While her messaging probes a cavernous well of Scripture and centers around Calvary-focused laments, it’s her undeniable vocal talent that’s the real star of the show. There’s a guttural growl to her voice that flows freely from the deepest parts of her soul. In fact, the majority of the production is stripped back to allow the spotlight to shine squarely on the depth of her lyricism and the visceral grit of her voice.
With two personal solo projects now under her belt and years of experience as a member of UNITED to her credit, TAYA serves up a sophomore effort that’s more seasoned and more mature than most sequels. Plus, the worshipful nature of her second endeavor will seamlessly lend itself to her upcoming live shows as TAYA headlines her first-ever U.S. run this spring and appears on select dates of FOUND Collective throughout the year.
