One-Way Conversations
| One-Way Conversations | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | February 10, 2017 | |||
| Genres | ||||
| Length | 36:25 | |||
| Label | Gotee | |||
| Hollyn chronology | ||||
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| Singles from One-Way Conversations | ||||
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One-Way Conversations is the debut album by Hollyn, released digitally on February 10, 2017 and physically on March 3, 2017. It follows the success of her first EP, Hollyn, released in 2015.[1] The album peaked No. 6 on the US Billboard Christian Albums chart, surpassing the No. 10 peak her EP received.[2]
Background
When asked about the album title, Hollyn responded to Niagara Frontier Publications by saying, "These songs were just struggles in areas of my life, and even joyful times in my life that I've had over the past couple of years. And so, taking those experiences, and kind of hearing them again, through song, is kind of like a one-way conversation with myself. I just kind of feel like, sometimes too, am I talking to -- who am I talking to? Am I talking to a wall, almost, or are my prayers just hitting the ceiling kind of thing? You know what I mean? I'm having a one-way conversation with myself."[3]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| 365 Days of Inspiring Media |   [4] |
| CCM Magazine |  [5] |
| The Christian Beat | [6] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout | [7] |
| Louder Than the Music | [8] |
| Jubilee Cast | [9] |
Representing 365 Days of Inspiring Media with a four-and-a-half-star review, Jonathan Andre says, "The fact that the album has points of improvement means the Hollyn still has things to learn, which is good knowing that as a 19 year old, Hollyn's maturity and song writing skills is miles ahead of anyone who was 19 and in the music industry (even more than Rebecca St. James way back in the day, and that is saying a lot!)."[4] Giving the album four stars for CCM Magazine, Andy Argyrakis writes, "But as Hollyn proves on this bright and memorable coming of age collection, which even includes collaborations with TobyMac, Andy Mineo, and fellow newcomer Steven Malcom, chances are she'll have no trouble navigating her way into ongoing artistic relevance and relatability."[5] With four stars from The Christian Beat, Chris Major states, "With bold ambition, engaging tracks, and personal lyrics, One-Way Conversations has certainly set Hollyn up for an exciting future in CCM."[6] From Jesus Freak Hideout, Lucas Munachen gives the album three stars saying, "If you're looking for a substitution for the many secular artists in this style, however, One-Way Conversations is well worth your time."[7]
In 2024 NewReleaseToday listed One-Way Conversations as one of the best albums from Christian label Gotee Records first 30 thirty years.[10] Nine years after its initial release the album was revisited by Jubilee Cast's Timothy Yap, who awarded the album four-and-a-half-stars, saying, "Looking back now, One-Way Conversations also marked an important moment for female Christian pop artists. Hollyn emerged during a period when women in CCM were often boxed into either worship leader roles or adult contemporary balladry. This album helped carve out space for younger female artists who wanted to embrace pop aesthetics while retaining lyrical substance. In retrospect, her sound anticipated elements later embraced by newer artists navigating the intersection between faith, vulnerability, and mainstream pop sensibilities."[11]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Can't Live Without" | Holly Miller, Toby McKeehan, Bryan Fowler | 4:22 |
| 2. | "Love with Your Life" | Miller, McKeehan, Fowler | 3:30 |
| 3. | "Obvious?" | Miller, Dave Lubben, McKeehan | 3:23 |
| 4. | "All My Love" | Miller, Cole Walowac, Eric Ramey, McKeehan, Samuel Alexandre | 2:55 |
| 5. | "In Awe" | Miller, Lubben, McKeehan | 3:38 |
| 6. | "Party in the Hills" (featuring Steven Malcolm & Andy Mineo) | Steven Malcolm, Scottie, Andy Mineo | 3:29 |
| 7. | "Lovely" | Miller, McKeehan, Fowler | 3:25 |
| 8. | "Go" (featuring TobyMac & Diverse City) | Miller, Luben, McKeehan | 2:52 |
| 9. | "Waiting For" | Miller, McKeehan, Fowler | 2:32 |
| 10. | "Girl" (featuring Tree Giants) | Miller, Elvin Shahbazian, 42 North, McKeehan, Daniel Chrisman, Israel Hindman | 2:57 |
| 11. | "Love With Your Life" (Capital Kings Remix) | Miller, McKeehan, Fowler | 3:22 |
| Total length: | 36:25 | ||
Personnel
Credits adapted from AllMusic.[13]
- 42 North – producer
- Boerhaüs – design, layout
- Bob Boyd – assembly, mastering
- Chuck Butler – vocal engineer
- Joshua Crosby – mixing
- Diverse City – featured artist
- Big Drez – mixing
- Joey Elwood – executive producer
- Bryan Fowler – bass, guitar, keyboards, mixing, producer, programming
- Hollyn – liner notes, primary artist
- Jack Tremaine jones – guitar
- Dave Lubben – mixing, producer
- Steven Malcolm – featured artist
- Toby McKeehan – A&R, executive producer, featured artist
- Andy Mineo – featured artist
- Scottie Mineo – producer
- Brad Moist – A&R
- Joel Rousseau – vocal editing
- Jake Rye – mixing
- Elvin Shahbazian – mixing, producer
- Lee Steffen – photography
- Vonray – producer
- Cole Walowac – producer
Chart performance
| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[14] | 200 |
| US Top Christian Albums (Billboard)[15] | 6 |
References
- ↑ "Hollyn releases her debut LP, 'One-Way Conversations'". www.wnypapers.com. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
- ↑ "Hollyn - Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ↑ "Interview: Hollyn poised to be next big thing in music". www.wnypapers.com. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
- 1 2 "Hollyn – One Way Conversations". 365 Days Of Inspiring Media. February 13, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
- 1 2 Argyrakis, Andy (February 28, 2017). "Hollyn - 'One-Way Conversations' album review". CCM Magazine. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
- 1 2 Major, Chris (February 12, 2017). "Hollyn's 'One-Way Conversations' Is An Energetic And Engaging Release". www.thechristianbeat.org. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
- 1 2 "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Hollyn, "One-Way Conversations" Review". www.jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved September 24, 2017.
- ↑ https://www.louderthanthemusic.com/product.php?id=2393
- ↑ https://www.jubileecast.com/articles/36644/20260516/album-review-revisiting-hollyn-s-one-way-conversations-nine-years-later.htm
- ↑ admin. "The Best Christian Albums From Gotee Records' First 30 Years (Part 1) -- Editorials, Wayback". NewReleaseToday. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ Yap, Timothy (May 16, 2026). "Album Review: Revisiting Hollyn's "One-Way Conversations" Nine Years Later". Jubilee Cast. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ One-Way Conversations by Hollyn on Apple Music, February 10, 2017, archived from the original on April 9, 2017, retrieved September 22, 2017
- ↑ "One-Way Conversations - Hollyn | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ↑ "Hollyn - Chart history". Billboard 200 for Hollyn. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
- ↑ "Hollyn - Chart history". Billboard Christian Albums for Hollyn. Retrieved September 23, 2017.