Julie's newest album, "Unbroken" is not only a new project full of original songs; it is a chronicle of the struggles and lessons of the last few years- sometimes broad, sometimes painfully specific. But what they all have in common is a shared human experience. "We all have to choose if we are going to move forward from the past. It isn't a feeling; it isn't a circumstance; it is an active choice."
Before you can make a good choice, you have to be relaxed and focused on what God wants. "Home," the first single and second track on the album, is about the craziness that surrounds our day-to-day lives and how good it feels to escape to somewhere comfortable and safe, just like going home after a busy day at school or work, or coming home from college at the end of a long semester. Sometimes though, we can't physically make it home but that doesn't mean we can't experience that same comfort. Running to God and feeling refreshed by Him can happen whenever we can step away and trust Him with the chaos in our life.
The eclectic but constantly high energy collection of songs are not only mostly written by Julie, but all serve a purpose to being on the album. The opening track, the energetic pop tune "Burning Bright," is about letting the love and power of Jesus shine on you but also shine through you in everything you do. "Unbroken," the heavy, hard rock title track, is about moving forward, inspired by Julie's favorite verse Isaiah 43:18-19 about moving away from the past. Similarly moving on from a romantic past is the theme in "I Will Love Again" which acknowledges heartbreak but also describes how it can make you stronger, by having to trust God with matters of your precious heart more than you trust other people.
Many of the songs on the album are very specific, intended to describe something but also to provide hope and answers, through many scriptural analogies and paraphrasing. The heartfelt ballad "Butterfly" talks about what a wonderfully unique and beautiful creature a butterfly is when we see one and likens that to how God sees each of us. "Why" is about rejection- with a twist. instead of fighting fire with fire, "Why" is a beckoning to the bully, asking them what has happened to them to make them so mean to others. "The Choice" is a driving rock anthem about consequences and recognizing what we can and can't control. Last of the specific topical songs is "Stop Before I Start" which takes on the Power of the Tongue. Inspired largely by scripture especially in James 3:1-12, it is so important to control your words- while heavy emotions fade, you can never take back what you say and those words can do irreparable damage. Sometimes taking a breath first saves a lot of pain and drama from happening.
One of Julie's personal favorites of the album is a little departure from her other songs but is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Likely as a reflection of her recent years in Texas, "I Won't Cry" has a country feel but with a Christian response to revenge: letting God handle those who have wronged you. When we are full of anger and hurt, it is natural to want to lash out but the best response is to let God be the judge. "The Love of the Lord Endures" is a special selection- while it is not an original, but a cover of a beloved Joy Williams song that Julie sang in church as a teenager. Something about this song has always touched her heart and she was excited to rediscover it for this new album. Just as a great song endures through the years, so does God's love, no matter what you are facing. One of her favorite worship songs of late, "It is Well" by Bethel is the closing bonus track of the album and ties into Julie's favorite hymn of the same name, capping off the overall theme that no matter what happens, it is well; we are all in good hands. We are all unbroken.
With pop influences like Sara Bareilles, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood and CCM styles like Kerrie Roberts and Francesca Battistelli Julie's musical style on "Unbroken" is fun, energetic and most importantly, unique to whom God created her to be! “Unbroken" releases nationwide September 11, 2015.
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Brave Songwriting| Posted September 16, 2015
Former Hollywood actress turned worship/pop indie artist Julie Elias is back with her latest album, Unbroken. Offering ten new originals and two covers, Julie uses her voice to tell the story of all she's learned and gone through in the past few years. The high-energy collection of songs were specifically picked to serve a purpose on the album, each one reminding listeners of important truths.
The intro to "Burning Bright" is a highlight, boasting an infectious pop tone and setting the mood for the rest of the album. Following suit, "Home" is a standout track that focuses on the thought that we can always run back to God no matter where we are in life. Slowing it down for a while, "Butterfly" and "I Will Love Again" are both beautiful ballads.
Unbroken offers several different sounds, with the title track taking on a rock edge and "I Won't Cry" feeling a bit more southern. "Stop Before I Start" tackles the topic of taming your tongue, much like "The Choice" speaks of the consequence of our actions.
Julie ends the album on a note of worship with covers of Joy Williams' "The Love Of The Lord Endures" and Bethel Music's "It Is Well."
Closing Thoughts:
One of the strongest points in Unbroken is that the album offers a variation of styles, with rock, pop and worship all being represented. Another great aspect of the album is Julie's songwriting, which shines a deep vulnerability that's rare and appreciated. Being a relatively new indie artist, Julie is just getting started in the CCM industry, but with the elements she displays in Unbroken, it's clear that she has big things ahead.
Song To Download Now:
"Unbroken" (Get it on iTunes here.)
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