Newcomer Natalie Layne takes trouble in stride on her new single, “All Joy.” Inspired by the words found in James 1:2-4, which encourage believers to “count it all joy…,” the buoyant pop number serves as the title cut of her full-length debut, a blend of thoughtful pop, jazz and soul.
“Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. It’s right toward the beginning of the list: ‘Love, joy…’ So, that must mean it’s kind of important, right?” Layne asserts, referencing Galatians 5. “Joy is not a fruit of anything other than the Spirit. Joy is not a fruit of our own striving. If we want more joy, we have to ask for more of the Spirit.”
That’s how the Colorado native says she’s able to unearth joy even on her hardest days. Led by piano and accented by a choir, the cheerful original gives listeners a taste of Layne’s natural optimism and warm, friendly vocal.
The classically trained pianist just wrapped a tour with the newly reunited Tenth Avenue North. This summer, she’ll make her third appearance at popular indie-rock festival Bonnaroo, where she previously performed twice as an independent artist before signing with a record label.
Although she’s careful not to simply gloss over the difficult realities of life, Layne maintains the same exuberance felt on “All Joy” across each of her album’s 13 selections, three of which she self-produced.
“I believe the enemy has been trying to steal joy from people, and I just want these songs to be a shot of joy,” she says of the project. “I picture these songs being played in the car in the school drop-off line or in the kitchen when families are making dinner. I think we need joyful songs to get us through the day sometimes, and God’s given me a lot of permission to go for the happy songs.”
