Mindy Smith, whose debut album One Moment More ranks as one of my all time favorite albums, has just released her sophomore project titled Long Island Shores. I saw Mindy perform several of her new songs on the 8th, the week it came out. While I have not yet had time to fully take it in, it is very promising so far.

I’m Not the Only One Asking continues in the vein of Angel Doves from her first album, with Mindy singing Bird on the telephone wire / come down and sing to me / Have you heard from my Father? / Have you any news to bring? // I know I’m not the only one asking / among wandering souls down here / Can you shout it from the highest peak / or at least whisper it in my ear // I’m reaching for heaven / down on my knees / down on my knees / I’m finally getting nearer to heaven / nearer to Thee //.

The first verse on Out of Control says The blood is dry and the wounds I hide / the scars are settling in / So I keep the light low and they still show / I sit and count every stitch //. In the second verse Mindy sings about the questions and the longing I think we all feel, if we’re honest with ourselves: Don’t know what for but these open doors / keep slamming in on me / and if life’s a joke then it’s getting old / and I hope God’s looking out for me //.

Mindy is one of three artists whose debut solo albums completely blew me away in the last year or two, the other two being Holly Williams and Steven Delopoulos. They’ve all been working on new albums, and Mindy’s is the first to come out. Steven’s new album, As If Love Were a Sword, is scheduled for release early next year; I haven’t heard anything recently about Holly’s. I don’t see how any of these three can make their sophomore recordings as good as their debuts, but I’m hoping that they are close. Long Island Shores so far lives up to my expectations and gives me hope for the music Mindy will make in the future.