A Blend of Worship and Country| Posted July 03, 2021 What You Need To Know
Contemporary artist Chris Tomlin is a legend in Christian music. Most Christian music enthusiasts have heard of him. He's been releasing music since 1995 with his debut independent album Inside Your Love. Since then, he's become an extremely influential artist. Every Sunday, churches across the world are singing his songs, like his hits "Jesus Messiah," "Indescribable," and "How Great is Our God." In 2020, he released a new full-length project called Chris Tomlin & Friends. The album featured country artists like Brett Young, Russell Dickerson, Lady A, and many others. It became successful, and now Chris is back with his second Chris Tomlin & Friends project, Chris Tomlin & Friends: Summer.
What it Sounds Like
Like the last Chris Tomlin & Friends record, this project will appeal to anyone who's a fan of country music. The EP blends the sounds of worship and country music in a way that only Chris Tomlin can. It features country artists Thomas Rhett and Florida Georgia Line again in the re-release of "Thank You Lord," and country artist Russell Dickerson in "Talk To Him." It's been interesting to see Chris Tomlin cross over into the genre of country music. But with these country artists by his side, Chris has been able to nail down two projects that truly sound country.
Spiritual Highlights
Chris always puts Jesus at the forefront of his songs, and these new tracks are no different. This EP talks about the intimate friendship we can have with Jesus. Each song is full of praise, especially "Sing." One of the biggest themes on the EP is God's love. It begins with "Good to Be Loved By You," which recognizes how much we're loved by God. It closes with "Sing," which praises God for His incredible love. They're bookends to each other. These five songs are a great reminder that we are seen and cared for by God.
Best Song on the Record
"Thank You, Lord" is the best song on the record with its upbeat tune and catchy lyrics. Like the title implies, the whole song is about thanking God for the blessings He's given us. There are so many things we can thank God for. "Thank You, Lord" shows that. From the small things to the hard times, there will always be something we can thank God for: "Waking up today/Yeah, I just gotta say thank You, Lord/I just wanna say thank You, Lord."
Final Word
I'll admit, I'm not the biggest fan of country music. Bu,t for those who are, this new EP is for you. With the release of two Chris Tomlin & Friends records within a year, I'm looking forward to seeing what else is in store for this new project. You can listen to Chris Tomlin & Friends: Summer EP now on Spotify or Apple Music.
New Summer Music| Posted July 02, 2021
Chris Tomlin follows up his chart-topping 2020 album Chris Tomlin & Friends with this new EP featuring three new songs, as well as two previously released songs from the album. The EP is produced by Corey Crowder. If you already have the full-length album, you’ll want to check out the three new songs.
Below are a few brief comments about each song: Good To Be Loved – This song about God’s love was written by Tyler Hubbard Chris Tomlin, Corey Crowder and Blessing Offor, and features Hubbard. God’s mercy is new every morning (Lamentations 3:22), is never ending, goes from east to west (Psalm 103:12), and is deep and wide (Ephesians 3:18). The song features piano, bass, drums, organ and backing vocals.
Key lyrics: It don't run out It's never-ending
It goes as far
As the east is from the west Talk To Him – This song about prayer was written by Chris Tomlin, Russell Dickerson, Tyler Hubbard, Corey Crowder and Ashley Gorley, and features Dickerson, who was formerly Tomlin’s guitar tech on the road for three years.
The song features guitar, bass, drums and backing vocals.
Key lyrics: Just talk to the One who created the Heavens and Earth, yeah He's always there waiting and always will be
Yeah, He made you, He knows you
He loves you, He's for you
He already knows what you need, so just
Talk to Him, talk to Him, talk to Him Love People – This song about loving each other was written by Chris Tomlin, Tyler Hubbard, Corey Crowder, Dave Barnes, and features Jimmie Allen. Love doesn’t see color, and underneath the surface we’re all the same. The song includes a part of 1 Corinthians 13. The song features piano, bass, drums and backing vocals.
Key lyrics: We didn't all come up the same way But we're all in need of the same grace Thank You Lord – This song was written by Tomlin, Thomas Rhett, Tyler Hubbard, Corey Crowder and David Garcia, and features Florida Georgia Line and Thomas Rhett. Tomlin has said that to have a life of gratitude and thank God for all things – good and hard – that are around us, was a major theme of the full-length Chris Tomlin and Friends album. The verses have a country music feel, and the bridge is more worship music, featuring Tomlin. This is a feel-good, sing along song that features hand claps, backing vocals, guitar and drums.
Key lyric: Praise up, eyes closed One thing I know I just wanna thank You Lord, thank you Lord Sing – This song was written by Tomlin, Corey Crowder, Brian Kelley, Tyler Hubbard and Cary Barlowe, and features Russell Dickerson and Florida Georgia Line. The easy-going song features guitar, hand claps, backing vocals, drums and a memorable chorus.
Key lyric: You make me wanna sing about Your love Make me wanna tell the whole world what You’ve done How You’ve turned my life around, I was lost but now I’m found You’re the song stuck inside my head all day Yeah, You make me wanna sing, sing Sing all about You Yeah, You make me wanna sing
to add lyrics if not listed.
