After a nearly 3 year hiatus, The Afters return with their sixth studio album 'Fear No More', available everywhere May 31. The album pre-order launched offering three instant downloadable tracks, including the current radio single “Well Done”, “Lightning”, and the title track “I Will Fear No More.”
Drummer Jordan Mohilowski explains, “We were chatting in the studio about issues we were dealing with, and we realized that we each struggle with issues of anxiety in one form or another. I personally have a sense of anxiety every day. We realized what a huge problem anxiety and fear is, not just in our band, but with the people we know and love. It robs us of our joy! It robs us from seeing and understanding how God loves us and protects us.”
“In the Bible, there are 365 passages that tell us to ‘fear not’”, continues vocalist and guitarist Joshua Havens. “For this album, we wanted to write a song that would be words we could sing over our struggles. An anthem against anxiety. An anthem declaring, ‘I will not give in to fear!’ An anthem proclaiming our trust in God.”
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Well Done| Posted May 29, 2019 What You Need to Know:
I’ve long enjoyed the hook-filled and emotive songs by The Afters, starting with their 2005 debut “Beautiful Love” and continuing with “Ocean Wide,” “Light Up the Sky,”“Every Good Thing,”“Broken Hallelujah” and “Battles” from their first five albums. In speaking with the band for previous behind the song devotionals, they’ve been sharing their hearts and processing some tough circumstances through their music. Fear No More is their sixth album, and was preceded by the hit song “Well Done” that proclaims, “What will it be like, when I come into Your glory, standing in the presence of a Love so beautiful.” In the vein of “Live on Forever,” these songs help remind us that we weren’t made for this world. As followers of Jesus who have put all of their hope in Christ, we know that eternity in Heaven awaits us when we leave this fallen world and remember, “I will fear no more!”
What it Sounds Like:
This album once again demonstrates multi-talented musicianship with creative, insightful lyrics and ear-grabbing melodies. The vibe of the album is one of the highlights with the signature musicality and harmony-filled vocals layered throughout every track. The album features a soothing and worshipful alt-rock style resembling the latest offerings by NEEDTOBREATHE, for KING & COUNTRY, and Mat Kearney. This entire project has a Brit-rock tinged vibe. I’m really engaged by the sincere and soothing vocals and the prayerful lyrics throughout the album.
Spiritual Highlights:
The album features the emotionally powerful track “I Will Fear No More,” which is one of the overall highlights. It's message is found throughout scripture and is totally relatable: “You are Greater than the battle raging in my mind. I will trust You, Lord. I will fear no more.”“Lightning” is easily one of my top songs by The Afters with it's upbeat hook and infectious melody. I can’t get enough of the vibe and biblical message of the song, especially the lyrics, “I got that joy down in my heart, I got Your peace inside of me, I got that love filling me up, I got that joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart, lightning, lightning.” Another biblical sentiment is found in “Well Done,” which will have you singing along, “What will it be like when I hear that sound all of heaven's angels crying out, singing holy, holy, holy are You Lord.” That heaven-focused theme can also be heard in “What Home Feels Like.” God has made us new creations in Christ! Another eternally minded sentiment of submission to Him is captured in “Wait” (featuring MercyMe), which sings: “Wait, I can hardly wait, to hear Your sweet voice say, you’ve done well My good and faithful son.”
Best Song on the Record: “Well Done” speaks to me in my most emotional moments of needing to hear God’s truth sung over me. “Lightning” is the type of song I find myself singing throughout the day, and one of my daily prayers is to ask God to indwell in my family and I with His spiritual gifts. I love the build to the lyrics “Now I'm dancing in the rain since You called out my name, You came like lightning and saved my soul”. Personally, my favorite song is the title track, “I Will Fear No More.” I have adopted the anthem as my daily prayer: “No power can come against me, 'Cause You have overcome, No darkness can overwhelm me, 'Cause You've already won.”
Final Word: Fear No More is a great collection of confessional and authentic expressions of faith, and yet another "best" album from The Afters. Once again the songs are poignant and powerful, and in recording the new tunes the band brings a more seasoned level of musicianship, intensity and intentionality. This album challenges me to think about how I’m living out my faith. Every song released by The Afters completely focuses me as a listener on joining in praise, worship and adoration. These are very passionate songs sung with vocal sincerity and reverence, with biblically based lyrics. These songs will certainly connect with listeners and showcase the multi-talented band’s trademark balance of vocal tenderness and lyrical intensity, beautiful and stirring musical arrangements and, above all, songs with a sense of hope and inspiration. This is sure to be one of my top albums of the year and it is truly “well done.”
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