Recording artist Shonlock unveils his highly anticipated sophomore CD, A Night To Remember, March 18, 2014. The 10-track collection spotlights the emotion and power behind the intersection where life and faith meet.
With the collaboration between Shonlock and his production partners, Joshua Crosby (Owl City, Matt Kearney) and Solomon "Soul Glow Activatur" Olds (TobyMac, Family Force 5,) the 10-song set features guest vocals from Ryan Clark of Demon Hunter, Olds, and longtime friend and mentor TobyMac. Standouts include the title-track "A Night To Remember" and the debut single "We Walk On Water."
Click here to add a video. Click to add lyrics if not listed.
01.
A Night To Remember (ANTR)
02.
Heartbreak
03.
Transformed (f/ TobyMac0
04.
Don't Play (f/ Ryan Clark of Demon Hunter)
05.
Hurricane
06.
We Walk On Water
07.
Kinfolk (f/ "Soul Glow Activatur" of Family Force 5)
Shonlock Still Lives in Diverse City| Posted March 10, 2014
Welcome to the Shonlock experience. Glad that you could make it, but you are probably wondering what to expect. Expect to find a little of everything to satisfy those who like a variety of music in one setting. Also be prepared for high-energy music with metaphors and the message of Christ both hidden and overt. Get ready as Shonlock offers up his new one, A Night to Remember.
"You Know I Don't Play" has Shonlock rapping over a kickdrum only while Demon Hunter's Ryan Clark brings a grungy rock edge as he sings over driving guitar and drums. Both guys invite the listeners to gain the edge that they have by accepting the living water that is only offered by Jesus. Shonlock is an adjunct member of the Diverse City crew. So it a refreshing reunion of 'Lock and TobyMac on the pulsating "Transformed." Passion overflows throughout because of the joy for the change that only God can bring.
New single, "I Like To Win" would be an otherwise great song, but it borrows a few too many elements from Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' "Can't Hold Us" for my taste—not lyrically, but rather in the musical arrangements. This will surely be a go-to song for live performances, and ESPN already has picked it up for its March Madness soundtrack.
The ability to take chances is another one of 'Lock's strong points and he makes sure that his musical risks are not forced or contrived. He dabbles in folk music on the feel good, "My Choice is You." This song shows his ever improving vocals and causes me to ask this question: Does Shonlock want to do a more acoustic album? Hmmmm.
Soul Glow Activator of Family Force 5 fame guest appears to add an extra punch on the banger, "Kinfolk." This song could serve as a good mission statement for those who want to explain what the purpose of the Christian community is. This life in Christ is not meant to be a selfish life, but where we add more to our "family." As Soul Glow exclaims, "We are the ones" to do it.
Closing Thoughts: A Night To Remember is what is to be expected to the Shonlock experience. This time there is an extra zest added to accent it. This is a solid offering from a brother who started off dancing behind R. Kelly and Alliyah. He has carved his on niche while offering a message of hope.
An Album to Remember| Posted April 27, 2014
Since 2011's Neveroddoreven, we haven't heard much from R&B/hip hop artist Shonlock. After all these years, however, we are able to enjoy a new, energetic, and spiritual album. Here is my take.
1. A Night to Remember
Genres: Dance-pop, pop rock, electropop
Content: The lyrics of this energetic and synth-y opener are about leaping out in faith and remembering the night that Jesus Christ saved you.
Rating: 5/5
2. Heartbreak
Genres: R&B, trap, pop
Content: This song describes how we should surrender everything to God and stop running from Him in vain.
Rating: 4.5/5
3. Transformed
Genres: R&B, hip hop, glitch, dubstep, electropop, trap
Content: This bangy song is a futuristicly sounding take on the concept of becoming a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Rating: 5/5
4. Don't Play
Genres: Hip hop, electronic rock, hard rock, trap, grime
Content: This equally heavy hitting song is about taking one's faith seriously and staying focused and determined in it.
Rating: 3.5/5
5. Hurricane
Genres: Pop, pop rock, R&B, power pop
Content: This powerful song tells of how hard God's grace hits when we need it the most.
Rating: 4/5
6. We Walk On Water
Genres: Pop, house, electropop, dance-pop
Content: This song comforts a listener in the fact that God loves us and we should never let Him go.
Rating: 5/5
7. Kinfolk
Genres: R&B, trap, hip hop, grime, electrohop
Content: This song is an anthemic call to unite believers to keep the faith alive through future generations.
Rating: 4.5/5
8. I Like To Win
Genres: R&B, alternative hip hop
Content: This uptempo song, similar sounding to Can't Hold Us by Macklemore, is about having victories in life since Jesus won the ultimate victory.
Rating: 3/5
9. Beyond This World
Genres: R&B, electropop, pop rock
Content: This song restates the "in the world, but not of the world" statement in a way that calls us to reach out to all kinds of people.
Rating: 3.5/5
10. My Choice is You
Genres: R&B, pop, folk, electropop
Content: This song is about lovingly worshipping God and lovingly comforting loved ones who are going through hard times.
Rating: 3/5
Others may disagree, but I think this album is better than Neveroddoreven. With a more diversified sound and more messages, Shonlock delivers another strong album in A Night To Remember.
to add lyrics if not listed.
