THE GROUND WE'RE ON
THE GROUND WE'RE ON Album ∙ Christian ∙ 2025 Hle There is something about Hle’s lilting mezzo-soprano that sounds inexplicably suited to gospel. The child of a bishop, the singer born Hlengiwe Ntombela was near destined to deliver the “good news.” And yet, her unmistakably balmy voice continues to forge new pathways in the tradition. The music of THE GROUND WE’RE ON marks a purposeful step away from the American gospel influences of 2023 EP Take Heart , leaning proudly into the singer’s Zulu heritage and the gritty percussion of Afropop. If the sonics are in some way unfamiliar, the messaging won’t be. Hle establishes connections with some of the most inspiring stories from the Bible on songs like “Ujesu’uyinkosi” and “Shake the Ground,” while reminding listeners that there will always be provision for them in “Believe” and “Present Help.” She’s at her soulful best on the two-part suite, “You Will Never Fail” and “You Will Never (Reprise),” reaffirming a trust i...