Francesca Battistelli was born on May 18, 1985 in New York City. She released her independent debut album, JUST A BREATH, in 2004. Her major label debut was 2008's MY PAPER HEART. Her 2nd radio single, 'Free to Be Me', was nominated for a Grammy. In 2010 and 2011 she won the Dove Award for 'Female Vocalist of the Year'. Also, in 2011 she won 'Artist of the Year'. In 2016 she won a Grammy for 'Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song' for 'Holy Spirit'. Her latest record is OWN IT (Curb/Word). A variety of producers were used including Ian Eskelin and Tommee Profitt.
Starting things off is the album's lead single, 'The Breakup Song', penned by Francesca, David Garcia, and MercyMe's Bart Millard. It's a groovy adult contemporary, anti-worry ballad: "Oh, fear you don't own me/There ain't no room in this story/And I ain't got time for you/Telling me what I'm not, like you know me/Well, guess what?/I know who I am/I know I'm strong/And I am free/Got my own identity/So fear, you will never be welcome here!" 'The Very Best' is an upbeat pop rally cry: "We are the start of a movement/We do the things worth doing/We know this is our moment/So we own it/We are the next generation/We got the words worth saying/We have the spark to inspire/To start a fire".
'Love Somebody' is a good pop/dance number reminding us of one of our main purposes on earth: "When you love somebody and you give it no conditions/When you really show them Jesus/It can change everything". 'Royalty' is one of two compositions by Francesca, Seth Mosley, and Mia Fieldes. It's a slow pop song claiming our true identity: "No longer orphans, now sons and daughters/Worthy and wanted, we belong/We are, we are, we are, we are/Crowned in dignity/We are, we are, we are, we are/Heirs to majesty/We're made for victory/We're given authority to reign like kings and queens/We're royalty".
'This Could Change Everything' is the album's second single. Francesca, Jason Walker, and Tommee Profitt wrote this pop song of encouragement: "The night is long but the world keeps turning/You gotta know, it's not the end/Every new sunrise is one step closer/It's a sign in the sky that the fight's not over/So face the world/It's now or never/This is the moment/Let it begin". 'You Belong' is an adult contemporary ballad that's a self-esteem booster: "You belong/The whole world is waiting/No one else can sing your song/You belong/The lie that's been chasing you/Love's gonna prove it wrong/Open your eyes/Breathe in the light/You don't have to hide/You belong".
Next up is 'As Good As It Gets', which begins with sentimental remembrances: "Remember the joy that would come without warning/Open your eyes/Woke you up on a Saturday morning/I remember/Running outside to a world with no fear/Wide open spaces and summers that lasted for years/I remember it clear". Francesca co-wrote 'Let the Light In' with Seth Mosley and Ellie Holcomb. This light pop song is personal: "This is a song to remind me/We've all got some broken we're hiding/None of us are ok/We all fall, we all break/This is a song to remind me/To let the light in".
What follows is the over seven minute long 'Defender', featuring Steffany Gretzinger of Bethel Music fame. She co-wrote this, the album's third single, with Rita Springer and John-Paul Gentile. It's a modern worship anthem: "And all I did was praise/All I did was worship/All I did was bow down, oh/All I did was stay still/Hallelujah, You have saved me!/So much better Your way/Hallelujah, great Defender!/So much better Your way". Last up is 'Freedom', an upbeat AC song of celebration: "Here in this moment/The world is wide open/My chains have been broken/And now there's no going back to before/You made me for freedom/Freedom/No more living in the dark".
OWN IT clocks in at 38 minutes and 21 seconds. There are five pop songs, four adult contemporary, and one modern worship. Six of the ten songs are on the slower side of things. Francesca's vocals are terrific here! This album is really about our true identity. We can derive our self-esteem and self-confidence from the fact that we have been adopted by God. We are His sons and daughters and royal heirs. We can conquer fear and worry and rest in God and live in His freedom. As God's kids we have great potential to make a difference in our world. We should be kind to others, love them, and share Jesus with them. This album has a very modern pop vibe to it. Fans of Taylor Swift's last couple of albums should check out OWN IT, which I'm rating 95%. For more info visit www.francescamusic.com and/or connect with Francesca on social media.