Just as their critically acclaimed 2020 album Out of Body impacted audiences, NEEDTOBREATHE capitalized on a rush of inspiration and rode the wave of creativity. Without telling a soul, the band decamped to a historic house-turned-recording studio in Columbia, TN to begin working on new music. Over the course of three weeks, they resided under one roof, laughed during meals, explored their surroundings, and recorded together with co-producer and engineer Konrad Snyder and special guests. Out of this de facto creative hub and "extended summer camp," they handcrafted an album reflective of the moment, yet independent of all expectations--even their own. For as intimate as the story may seem, they filmed every minute of it for an upcoming documentary entitled, Into The Mystery.
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01.
What I'm Here For
02.
Into The Mystery
03.
Sunshine
04.
Carry Me (feat. Jon Foreman of Switchfoot)
05.
I Am Yours
06.
Chances
07.
Sittin' In The Back Seat
08.
Give Me A Chance
09.
Don't Throw All The Good Things Away (feat. Natalie Hemby)
Captivates My Spirit| Posted July 29, 2021 What You Need to Know South Carolina's Grammy-nominated band NEEDTOBREATHE hooked me 15 years ago with their major-label debut Daylight, which featured the single "Shine On." My takeaway review comments were "Great album. Even better group." Since then, the band has managed to improve their craft with each album, garner an opening slot for Taylor Swift, play on late-night television, and collaborate with Gavin DeGraw on one of their biggest hits to date, "Brother," from my Top Album of 2014, Rivers in the Wasteland. That album earned a Grammy nomination for "Multiplied" and features the standout song "Difference Maker."
In their album H A R D L O V E—my Top Album of 2016—the band subtly includes the reference to the dance of life in a few contexts, taking us on the journey of life lessons learned in "HARD LOVE."
During quarantine, NEEDTOBREATHE created—composed and recorded—their eighth studio album, Into the Mystery, which includes standouts "I Wanna Remember," featuring country superstar Carrie Underwood, and the successful title track. This is the second studio full-length album the band has released in less than a year. In 2020, the band released Out of Body, which includes hit songs "Who Am I" and "Survival."
What it Sounds Like What I take immense joy in discovering with each new NEEDTOBREATHE release is the incredible songwriting and musical excellence with nuggets of lyrical connection weaving their way throughout the tracks. This surprisingly quick follow-up new studio album captivates my spirit. The album includes standout recordings like the sing-at-the-top-of-your-lungs anthems "Carry Me," feat. Jon Foreman of Switchfoot, "Sunshine," "I Am Yours," and "I Wanna Remember," featuring Carrie Underwood, along with the reflective vibe of "What I’m Here For," "Into the Mystery," "Innocence" and "Chances." I have long been hooked by their enthusiastic songs, layered with a southern rock musical vibe. I've felt the band has improved with each new album. I can’t get enough of the emotional vocals and the sincere, enthusiastic, and thought-provoking lyrics throughout the album, which has echoes of Out of Body both in content and musical vibe as the band has undergone a transformation to a trio-Bear Rinehart [vocals, guitar], Seth Bolt [bass, vocals], and Josh Lovelace [keys, vocals].
Spiritual Highlights We're fearfully, wonderfully and perfectly made, which is expressed in the standout “I Am Yours”: “’Cause I am yours/And you will always be mine/It seems like madness I’m invited to the table by your side/Cause I am yours/And you will always be mine/I'm a man whose one ambition is to dance with my divine.” An artistic answer to their previous song "Who Am I," "I Am Yours" is a soaring work about God’s undying love for us. It's clear that the themes of relying on God's grace and mercy and seeking and speaking truth flows throughout this excellent album, highlighted by several of my new favorite songs, "What I’m Here For," "Into the Mystery," "Sunshine," "Carry Me," "Innocence" and "Chances." You'll be hooked right from the opening notes of "What I’m Here For," which really sets the tone for this album. As Christians, we can all relate to the vulnerable and sincere crying out: "I feel like we could find it/If we knocked on heaven's door/I'd say God, I'm only human/You'd say that's what I'm here for!”
Best Song on the Record "I Am Yours" is a daily prayer, asking God to come and change our hearts and our lives. Our thoughts are constantly under attack by the enemy. We're aware of many situations involving people taking their own lives after dealing with depression. If you're struggling with depression, especially with this past year of social distancing due to COVID-19, please know with certainty the truth in the song’s life-giving words. Allow the Holy Spirit to cast the light of life into your body. I am really engaged by the emotional vocals and the deep, inspirational lyrics throughout the album. There are several standout songs I can’t wait to hear in concert including "Into the Mystery," "Carry Me," "I Am Yours" and "Sunshine." If you've always enjoyed NEEDTOBREATHE’s soulful anthems, you're in for a treat with this album. It has a great balance of upbeat rockers and reflective songs. Many of these songs express my emo feelings, and yet remind me that I wasn't made for this world. These songs will have you singing along in one listen. "Into the Mystery" connects deeply with the lyrics, “We are sons and daughters/We are flesh and dust/We are pulled from the wreckage/We are not alone/We are lovers broken/We are vicarious dreams/We are tumbling/In space out of control/Into the mystery.”
Final Word NEEDTOBREATHE consistently makes songs that remind us to get to that place where we're in humble submission to God. Don't play it safe. Ask for God to be real in your life. You'll never see true beauty if you don't fully submit to God. This is one of my top albums of the year from both the Christian and mainstream music markets. They have long been my favorite band. I truly enjoy their entire catalog and especially their stand-out hit songs "Happiness," "Hang On" and "Who Am I." If you like those songs, you'll love this new album. Into the Mystery is one of the catchiest, most energetic, and emotionally engaging albums I've heard this year and it is sure to be one of my top albums of the year.
New from NEEDTOBREATHE| Posted July 31, 2021 Into the Mystery is NEEDTOBREATHE’s eighth full-length studio album. It debuted at #1 on the iTunes “Top Albums” charts upon release, and is one of my top albums of 2021 thus far.
During the pandemic, the band recorded the album over a three-week period at a historic house turned recording studio in Columbia, Tennessee with co-producer and engineer Konrad Snyder, and special guests. Into the Mystery follows closely 2020’s Out of Body and 2021’s Live from the Woods Vol. 2.
Themes from Bear Rinehart’s lyrics include reflecting back, longing to be loved, being easier on yourself, God’s love for us, taking chances,
Below are brief comments about each song: What I’m Here For – This autobiographical song has Bear looking back to his teens and twenties. A theme is being easier on yourself. The song features acoustic guitar, backing vocals, drums, bass, keys and strings.
Key lyric: I don't need silver linings I don't need so much more
I just need room to be wrong sometimes
That's all I'm hoping for Into the Mystery – This song features acoustic guitar, backing vocals, electric guitar, bass, drums and organ. The song is about longing to hear that one is loved, be it a human love or supernatural love.
Key lyric: 'Cause I just wanna be loved by you I cannot resist the need to hear you say it
Whatever you do, I will be there
Son, I will follow you anywhere Sunshine – The band has said life is going to occasionally lead to disappointment and some very sobering mistakes. This is a song about being kind to yourself. The song features organ, drums, guitar, bass, and backing vocals.
Key lyric: I, I wanna see you running through the field sometimes I wanna see your eyes looking up through your hands to the sky
Tell 'em we feel alright, we're living in sunshine Carry Me – This song was written by Bear Rinehart and Jon Foreman. This is a campfire song about wanting God to carry us from the river's mouth, to the mountain peak, through the great divide and the valley deep features Jon Foreman of Switchfoot. The song features acoustic guitar, drums, keys, piano and backing vocals.
Key lyric: All the ashes and scars they fail They pale in comparison to yours I Am Yours – This song about God’s love for us features the band’s original drummer Joe Stillwell. The song features synth, guitar, banjo, backing vocals, drums, bass, drums and keys.
Key lyrics: If I had to write a story Of the greatest love in time
I would have to sing of you Chances – This beautiful song about taking chances was written by Bear Rinehart. Rinehart woke up early one day while the band was recording the album and he wrote this song, which the band recorded that day. The acoustic guitar driven song features backing vocals, piano, strings, and electric guitar.
Key lyric: It's always hard to find the courage to start dancing But I am determined to take my chances
But peace can be hard to find in all this misunderstanding
I am determined to take my chances Sittin’ in the Backseat – This song has Rinehart reflecting back on his family’s red 1986 Chevette, and remembering how free and fun it felt to sit in the car and look at the stars as they were riding down the road. The song, which features a memorable chorus, features guitar, keys, bass and backing vocals.
Key lyrics: We were young and we were undefeated Give Me a Chance – This was a live take in the studio, and features Joe Stillman on drums. It’s a fun “jingle jangle rock song”. The song features guitar, tambourine, backing vocals, drums, piano, hand claps, organ and a few guitar solos.
Key lyrics: Give me a chance to be your man, baby Don’t Throw All The Good Things Away – This song was written by Bear Rinehart and Natalie Hemby, and features Hemby. Rinehart has said that it’s easy to get caught up in what we’re doing and forget about relationships. Most of the time he looks back on those decisions with regret, so this song was a reminder of that. The song features acoustic guitar, keys, strings, bass and backing vocals.
Key lyrics: Don't spit on the grave while your family weeps Don't throw all the good things away Innocence – This is about Rinehart’s grandmother. The song features piano, drums, bass, guitar and backing vocals.
Key lyrics: I wanna rest My weary bones on your providence
I wanna find somewhere that I can
Recover my innocence I Wanna Remember – This song was written by Bear Rinehart and features Carrie Underwood. The song features keys, acoustic and electric guitar, drums, piano and backing vocals. The band has said that it is about life’s fleetingness, and is a nostalgic song that takes you back to the moments you never want to forget.
Key lyric: I wanna memorize you, wanna stay here forever 'Cause I, I
I take a picture in my mind so we're always together
'Cause I, I wanna remember West Texas Wind – This song reflects back on when the band was first touring in a van and would drive across the country. As the band went through Amarillo, it would be windy on the interstates, and they would literally see tractor trailers blown over on the side of the road. The song has Rinehart reflecting on the good life he has led. Yes, he’s made mistakes and hurt those he loves. He needs God again and is ready to let the world go. The song features piano, guitar, backing vocals, bass, organ and drums.
Key lyric: I'm running to you like a west Texas wind Singing God I need you, oh, how I need you
God I need you again Best Songs
What I’m Here For
Sunshine
I Wanna Remember
Carry Me
I Am Yours
Chances
West Texas Wind
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