Hiding Place (Tori Kelly album)

In April 2015, Kelly released her debut album, Unbreakable Smile to critical acclaim.[3] In an Instagram live chat, Kelly stated that she initially planned on making the followup to Unbreakable Smile a pop album with only one gospel song.[4] One of Kelly's inspirations was gospel artist Kirk Franklin and her manager, Scooter Braun arranged a meeting between them.[5] Kelly quoted,

I flew out to Dallas and Kirk showed me a few songs he'd written, and I fell in love with all of them [...] Next thing you know, one song turned into us doing a whole project together. I grew up on gospel music, so the fact that a legend like Kirk Franklin would take me under his wing was just a dream come true.

Hiding Place was eventually announced on August 23.[5] She announced the album would be released digitally on September 14, 2018.[6][7]

The album was recorded at Franklin's studio outside of Dallas and the songs were penned primarily by Franklin and often co-written with Kelly, marking the first time Franklin had ever co-written a song.[5] For the title of the album, Kelly drew inspiration from Psalm 32:7, "You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with songs of deliverance".[4] In an interview she noted,

That always stuck with me: this idea of God being a place of safety, a place where you can hide from all the crazy things that this world can throw at us. I want people to feel uplifted and encouraged when they listen. I want them to know that, no matter what they're going through, there is a God who loves them so much and so unconditionally, and there's always a reason to feel hope, even when you’re in a dark place.

Kelly has stated that gospel music has been an influence stating that she "grew up singing [gospel] and a lot of what makes up gospel music is a huge influence in [her] own music".[8] On working with Kelly, Franklin stated that he has "never seen anyone that's a monster behind the microphone like [Kelly]. She'd nail one song in three takes, and all those takes were amazing [...] a lot of artists out there will rely on Auto-Tune or studio tricks, but there's no button you can push for emotion, and there's no button for skill. [Kelly] is excellent in everything she does, because she's a real, pure artist".[5]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[12]

Upon release, the album received critical acclaim.[2] Vibe writer Desire Thompson wrote that Kelly's "talent transcends genres" and that while her debut album was "dipped in candy-coated pop vocals and soul", Hiding Place "takes her back home with dynamic vocals and professions of the loving gospel".[2] The Triangle writer Samantha Burgess called the album "simple but soulful and lyrically rich".[10] Sidelines writer Ladiah Thomas also praised the album noting that "the energy and emotion that [Kelly] put into all her songs is felt through her lyrics".[9]

The Tiger's Roar writer Devante Brittian praised "Questions" and "Soul's Anthem (It Is Well)" noting that, "you do not have to be a believer to appreciate this album, and the star power [Kelly] brings to Hiding Place will leave you a forever fan of her work".[11] At the 2019 Grammy Awards, the album received two Grammys.[13] One for Best Gospel Album and the other for Best Gospel Performance/Song for the song "Never Alone".[13]

Upon release, the album debuted atop the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart and was the highest-selling gospel album of 2018, selling over 15,000 album-equivalent units in its first week.[16][17] The album also topped Billboard's Gospel Streaming Songs and Gospel Digital Song Sales charts.[17]

To promote the album, Kelly made many televised appearances. She performed "Never Alone" on The Late Late Show with James Corden along with Kirk Franklin and performed at the 49th GMA Dove Awards held on October 16, 2018.[17] She began the Hiding Place tour two days later on October 18.[17] She also performed "Questions" on Good Morning America.[17]

Track listing adapted from the iTunes Store.[20]