HeIsTheArtist “The Book Of Mary” Leaves Us Wondering Where The Prolific Artist Will Go Next?

Helstheartist is a prolific Christian singer and songwriter. Just like his music, Helstheartist’s life story is uplifting. From a secular neo-soul musician signed under Bentley Records, Helstheartist bloomed to become the important figure in the Christian music industry that he is today after a moving sermon from Bishop T.D. Jakes. Helstheartist has not lost his aspirations to preach the good word to everyone who would care to listen, and he proves so in his latest EP, The Book of Mary (April 30th, MTS Records)

The EP is the artist’s first release in a while, following the release of his previous EP, Roots that was released in November 2020. However, from the number of tracks and the quality of the music in the EP, it is evident that Hels has not been lazing around during the six-month break he took.

The Book of Mary is loosely based on Mary, mother of Jesus. The album is filled with lots of life lessons and narratives, telling stories of fictional characters and some of the deep regrets they harbor. In the EP, Helstheartist explores various styles, showing off his ability to perform music in different genres. The opening track of the EP, “Virgin”, is an upbeat and energetic track sung in a mumble-rap style to rhythmic and catchy electronic backing instrumentals. The song is a deviation from the familiar acoustic guitars and mellow tunes we have come to expect from the artist.

The second track in the EP, “If I Was A Virgin Again”, follows in the same electronic style, telling the story of a regretful woman who “gave it away”, got pregnant at 16, and had to give up on her big dreams. In her life, all she can do is ask God to take her higher and free her soul from “this ugliness”. The album takes quite a different vein, with darker melodies that seem to echo the internal crisis going on inside the person as he asks himself, time and again, what he did to deserver to be as sad as he is. The rest of the EP includes renditions of a song titled “Childish”, remixed in a hip-hop, afro-beat, and dancehall style.

Helstheartist’s latest release leaves the listener in awe, as he effortlessly explores various styles, genres, and sounds, quite unlike most of the work he has produced before. One is left speculating as to what musical direction that Helstheartist is like to take next.

–Keith DuJour