Lyrically Captivating; A Thick EP | Posted April 04, 2013
Centricity recording artist Jason Gray has been repeatedly dubbed one of Christian music's best-kept secrets, and rightfully so. Despite being the voice behind popular songs such as "More Like Falling In Love" and "Remind Me Who I Am," Jason still remains one of the industry's most low-profile talents. However, don't let his quiet appearance fool you. While he isn't a spotlight seeker, his renown way of songwriting--both honest and introspective--is what draws the attention of listeners far and wide.
Fresh off the heels of 2011's A Way to See In The Dark, his ninth studio release, Jason's 2013 Nothing Is Wasted EP comes as a special treat to fans. Not only does it feature two versions of Jason's latest single, but it also includes three rare songs that were exclusive bonus cuts on the extended version of his aforementioned album.
The title track "Nothing Is Wasted" is a moving song of faith and redemption. The flawlessly crafted lyrics remind the listener that God can use every ugly and broken circumstance in our lives, even those we consider pointless, and bring something beautiful out of it. The second track, an alternate piano-focused version of the same song, drives the point home once more: "They tell you hope's a lie, but what if every tear you cry will see the ground where joy will grow? / Nothing is wasted, nothing is wasted in the hands of our Redeemer."
"Before I've Done Anything," while containing a less-poised vocal, boasts a stellar backdrop melody for a song written from two points of view: a man questioning the Savior's love in the verses, and God in the chorus, telling him that He loved him long before he did anything to try and earn it.
The acoustic "Love Is Rebuilding Us" sounds almost like a sequel to "Nothing Is Wasted," talking about the indescribable beauty that rises from a broken life, all pointing to the healing hand of our divine Restorer.
The fifth and final cut, "The Angel Of Your Presence," is a sobering look at the gut-wrenching hardships in life, and asks not that God would remove those trials from our lives, but grow us through them, and send the angel of His presence to comfort us as He does: "Jesus, I don't wanna miss anything that comes of this / Though grief may follow every kiss and gardens go to sea / Like pilgrims in the graying dust, we stumbled through the ruins of love / But in our loss, we learn to trust that You are all we need."
Closing Thoughts:
It is no stretch to say Jason Gray is one of the most lyrically captivating songwriters in our industry. Unafraid to be vulnerable and ask hard questions, his way of penning a tune perfectly verbalizes the things we sometimes fear to say. That skillful songwriting has been the trademark of his career, and is displayed effortlessly on his Nothing Is Wasted EP.
The final three cuts have a B-side quality to them simply due to their lack of studio polish. While clean-cut tracks aren't something Jason has been known for, I felt they could have done with a some tweaks to make them sound a tad more refined for this release. Rough cuts aside, the lyrics are what take center stage and grip your attention far beyond the music. This is a solid EP and one old and new fans like will thoroughly enjoy.
Song to Download Now:
"Nothing Is Wasted - Radio Mix" (Get it on iTunes here.)
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