Judy Malka – Gratitude (2024)
Bold, confident and filled with an eclectic flair, Judy Malka captures hearts with her moving melodies and honest lyricism. From her steady dancing to her sophisticated singing, US-based Malka oozes elegance and charm in every way. Yet, while the warm, rich voice wraps you in a comfortable embrace, her songs have a profound significance. Tackling the deep intricacies of life from inner turmoil to societal pressures, Malka delves into the dark; however, just as there is darkness, she also captures the empowering joy of light.
Exploring personal struggles with an intimate narrative, Judy Malka resonates with audiences of all ages. Transcending generational gaps, distance and culture, she proves that music can ease souls across the board. In her well-received singles ‘Taking Chances’, ‘Let You Go’ and ‘Someone Like You’, Malka reflects on her experiences oscillating from dismal despair to optimistic empowerment. She continues the journey with her version of Grammy award-winning Brandon Lake’s ‘Gratitude’.
Known for his role in gospel music, Lake has a powerful presence to “call followers of Jesus into a posture of freedom and confidence – creating space to declare truth as if it were a rumbling roar from the lion inside of their lungs…” In his 2022 single ‘Gratitude’ he captures the hopefulness and joy of embracing a higher being. While Lake’s version offers a powerful rush of country to capture hearts, Malka’s simplistic single is as soul-stirring.
An acoustic arrangement carried by delicate strings with a piano fluttering along, the instrumentation is minimalistic; however, in its minimalism, there is a profound strength. The true star of Malka’s ‘Gratitude’ is the vocals. As if reading a poetic letter, Malka finds the line between conversation and lulling song in her execution. I find this intriguing as it not only calms the soul but enhances the dramatic theme of the single. Sincere, sentimental and heart-warming, Judy Malka’s tenderness unwraps a need to reach for strength in a world of unrest. She explains:
“I was encouraged very strongly by a fan strong in faith to do this song…. To be honest, I have not experimented with much of the Christian genre in my library of music and wasn’t about to compete with the amazing original singer… as a daring artist I figured why not and convey the message of how we all need God more than ever these days and being in gratitude is the highest gift ever.”
For more from Judy Malka, check out her official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
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