Wildfire EP
by
Transform What You Need to Know
Hailing from Colorado, the DJ quartet Transform is committed to creating music for the rave scene that glorifies God. On...
Worship Album of the Year Contender | Posted September-23-2016
Although this year has seen countless worship releases, Planetshakers' latest live project Overflow seems to transcend all of them. Every generation seems to be represented in this versatile collage of praise anthems from the Australian band's worshipful work of art.
Opening with the infectious "Come Right Now," which happens to be my personal favorite, Overflow begins with a splash of bubbly energy. Keeping the vibrant worship going are the driving "River" and the hypnotic "Overflow."
Planetshakers showcase their knack for diversity in the ballads that follow the hype of the first three tracks. Both "I Know Who You Are" and "I Came for You" place their lyrical focus on the vertical aspect of worship. "Sings My Soul" provides a reflection on the cross: "My punishment was upon You / You wore the crown of my shame / and You bought me life eternal / with the last breath You gave." The ballad collection ends with an acoustic interlude, "Heart Song," which builds in intensity and provides an innovative segue into the next couple of electronic worship anthems.
Even children and young teenagers can enjoy this album. "I'm Free" and "Give My All" are jam-packed with synths, dance beats, poppy piano riffs and rushes of adrenaline.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, those who grew up at the beginning of contemporary Christian music as a genre will love the next few songs. "Precious to Me" is a heartfelt and bold declaration: "I want You more than my comfort / I want You more than my deeds / Holy Spirit, You are so precious to me." The acoustic, relaxing "Face to Face" is a lullaby-ish yet gorgeous melody of worship. Dabbling in the world of gospel music, "Join With the Angels" gives a choir-like feel as many voices join together and sing about what worshiping in heaven will be like someday. Beautiful harmonies resonate throughout "My Father's Child," which also contains powerful lyrics: "I see You run with open arms / my heart is undone."
Never before on a current worship album have I heard such a funky gospel stomp as "Gotta Give Him Glory." The worship leader channels her inner Amy Grant as she sings about how God showers us with blessings. But the real showstopper is "Here Comes the Revival (feat. Boom)," which is a collective cry for God to send a nationwide awakening.
The Bottom Line: Worshipers of any age will enjoy the many facets of Overflow. Planetshakers have truly found a way through their music to unify every generation under the Name of Jesus.
Encouragement You Didn't Know You Needed | Posted August-09-2016
In this day and age, one may find it hard to focus on God's truths. In addition to Scripture meditation, listening to the same promises from God's Word repeated by passionate worship artists is just as effective. Atlanta-based Housefires, on their third full-length album III, deliver powerful reminders of God's character in front of a small live audience.
I have to be honest here: when I initially heard each track I was disappointed by the chord progressions, melodies and overall feel of the music. But when I listened more deeply, I came to the realization that sometimes all it takes for a song to penetrate the hearts of worshipers (more specifically, my heart) is a positive message that breathes life, truth and the presence of God into their souls.
The album begins with the ambient "Filled with Your Glory," which serves as an introduction to "Your Love is Alive." This song is the listener's first taste of the live aspect of III. The various voices, clapping and cheering interspersed throughout every song give the album an intimate feel.
The listener will love the Spirit-filled lyrics in the next few songs. In the violin-embellished "Great is the Lord," the singer belts out "In the morning, in the evening, at the end of all days / I will sing, I will shout, 'You are worthy of all praise'." Some other magnificent lines include "from the mountain to the valley / from the desert to the raging sea / in the silence or the city streets / oh, Your presence always covers me" from "Mountain to Valley." "Seek First," "Build My Life" and "Fill Me With the Fullness" all also contain lyrical gems.
In addition, the other songs contain encouraging and Christ-centered themes. "Yes and Amen" is all about God's unconditional faithfulness. "Abide" reminds the listener to remain in Jesus, referencing how Jesus is the Vine and we are all branches in John 15. The attention-grabbing "On and On" focuses on the part of Psalm 139 where David muses about never being able to leave God's presence. And "This is Where I Belong" centers on how we all truly belong in the arms of our Heavenly Father.
The Bottom Line: Anyone who needs to remember God's fierce love in their lives will benefit from the songs in III, as Housefires have created an uplifting atmosphere of worship on this album.
Funky and Fresh | Posted July-29-2016
Since the announcement that 19-year-old Spencer Kane would replace Alan Powell as Anthem Lights' new lead singer, he has been incredibly busy: releasing a cover album and multiple music videos with fellow members of Anthem Lights, touring all around the country and recording his latest solo endeavor, Kane. As someone who doesn't listen to Anthem Lights' style too often, I was absolutely floored by this album.
The memorable opening number "God Stole My Heart" steals the heart of every listener. The rhythmic and catchy beats deviate from CCM pop, the genre for which Anthem Lights is famous. It is always refreshing to hear an up-and-coming singer in this industry experimenting with innovation in their music. In addition, "Love a Lil Bit" takes the funk a step further with creative and dissonant harmonies. Because of this song, I'd even go so far as to say Spencer Kane has the potential to be the tobyMac of the next generation.
"Diagram" provides the perfect city soundtrack with jazzy piano chords, light percussion and reverb to die for. Kane sings about how God's plan is always better than our own: "Nothing I could do without Your love / Out in this world it gets so rough... / When I need a plan, You draw it out for me." The tight harmonies in the bridge are worth buying the entire song.
The unassuming "You'll Be Alright" breathes new life into the Christian dubstep scene, an area which has been lacking recently. The bass drop catches the listener by surprise while the encouraging message behind the song serves as the icing on the cake. On the other side of the vast spectrum of Kane's vocal ability lies the astounding "New Level," which happens to be my personal favorite. I've never heard a song quite like this one. It is the ultimate smooth, Christ-centered R&B song! With arcade-like retro synths and an insane bass line, listeners will be left clamoring for more.
Kane channels his inner Shonlock in "Breakthrough," a poppy, treadmill-ready track. It embodies the Christ-follower's revelation that Jesus is more than enough: "I needed something to hold / You wanted my life to mold / That's why I gave it to You." The beautifully rendered cover of "This Is Living" gives the Young & Free classic a new spin by adding ambient synths underneath pretty piano chords. This is definitely not the last we will hear of Alexis Slifer. Her powerful vocal harmonies are absolutely gorgeous.
The only disappointments of this album come from the following two tracks. Although the message of God's redemption is great in "Betrayed," it sounds painfully overproduced, and there seems to be a lack of balance between Kane's vocals and everything else. In "We Win," although it is encouraging in its focus on victory through Christ, the verses and the bass drops sound like they're from two completely different genres and songs. If the song as a whole had been tied together musically, the message would have been 100% more effective.
The synthesizer in "Ghost" makes the entire song and creates a driving beat all on its own. Izze's autotuned rap adds a wonderfully unexpected twist to the bridge. And the remix of "Heart Like You" sounds almost like a David Thulin remix with all the sliced vocal effects. The vocoder harmonies in the chorus and the voice-like synth throughout the song give it flair. It doesn't deviate far from the original version, which appeared on Kane's last solo album Runway.
The Bottom Line: Kane's bouncy and dance-y songs are where the project shines, and I believe Spencer Kane will go far if he sticks to R&B and dubstep.
The Next Jon Foreman | Posted June-15-2016
Seattle has just gained its newest up-and-coming solo artist. As the frontman of Citizens & Saints, Zach Bolen has consistently provided a unique set of vocals to each one of their songs. Now his solo release 1001 has completely exceeded my expectations. Not only is it chock-full of expressive lyrics, but the music is wonderfully intriguing and innovative-- something many current artists lack.
The album opens with the catchy "95, which paints a picture of wanderlust over many a guitar riff. It melts into the slightly more mellow "Stay Runaway," where an ever-changing chord progressions and dreamy guitar patterns balance out the vibrato organ in the background. The guitar solo toward the end adds so much more energy to the song, especially when paired with Zach's singing.
"What They Will Never Find" is of the poppy variety and includes plucked guitar, organ chords and a driving beat... that is, until the tempo completely changes and it becomes more slow and deliberate. The lyrics are just as whimsical: "Hop in my rocket, let's fly through outer space and then dance on the moon / And if we get real cold, we could dive into the sun / I don't ever want this dream to come undone."
One enjoyable aspect of 1001 is the fact that the love ballads Zach has penned are far from cliché. For example, in "Holding You Close" he croons, "There's a mystery to her being that has drawn me into the foreground of angelic flow." This song in particular tugs on one's heartstrings and brings back a rush of romantic memories spent with a significant other: "Your beauty fills the silence of a thousand years / With my shoulder up against your face." Similarly, on "Without Conditions" Zach proclaims to the world, "I won't let go of you, not ever / You'll always be my baby girl."
In "Leave Me Alone" and "I Will Let You Down," Bolen wears his heart on his sleeve and conveys emotion in a raw and powerful manner. Both songs are about relationships, but are approached in a melancholy manner. In addition, "I Will Let You Down" contains a beautiful guitar solo amidst the sadness.
"Give It Time" almost ventures into the vast realm of country-pop, which works in context. All about mending a broken friendship, Zach pleads, "How are we to be united if our hands are wrought with sin?" In the closing track "Carry On," Zack painfully sings an emotional tune about the experience of dying and leaving loved ones behind. Get your tissues ready before listening to this one.
The Bottom Line: Zach Bolen's 1001 is the best singer-songwriter album I have heard since Jon Foreman's The Wonderlands-- in fact, I would go so far as to say Zach Bolen will become the next Jon Foreman. Perfect for road trips and rainy days alike, 1001 is a must-have.
Funky Beats and Techno Grooves | Posted June-13-2016
After three years, pop singer Natalie Villa is back with her latest EP Symphony. Complete with catchy beats and ballads, this collection of genre-defying music will not disappoint.
The impressive opener "Running" contains deep beats, massive synths and techno vibes. In this Beckah-Shae-meets-V.-Rose style anthem, Natalie sings about how we can only find our security through Christ.
"1st Love" has the potential to be a bold declaration of faith in Jesus despite this world's distractions, but it falls slightly short due to the clichés and pop culture/social media references in the writing. What redeems it and ties everything together are the groovy rhythm and guitar-driven power chords.
Along the same lines, the funky vibes are strong in "Desert Rose," my personal favorite. It sounds like a song you might hear at a coffee shop or an open mic night. It also sounds like a late-night jam session with a group of insanely talented musicians, and the poetic lyrics are icing on the cake: "Desert rose, your beauty comes from the supernatural." The dreamy, surfer-like guitar chords complete this masterpiece.
The EP's ballad and title track, "Symphony," appropriately begins with strings. The music and lyrics mesh well together, adding a touch of intrigue at the beginning of the second verse. All the metaphors work well: "Everything just feels so out of tune;" "You're the Great Conductor;" "I wanna be Your symphony, a holy harmony;" and "Come and play the strings of my heart / 'til my life becomes Your perfect art." The strings interwoven throughout the song add the perfect touch.
"Masquerade" blew me away with the immediately catchy intro, dubstep-like rhythms under a melodic piano, and chopped-up synths. However, the interjections "Take off your mask. / Take it off! Now!" and Joseph Vargas' screaming in the bridge don't quite seem to fit with the rest of the song. I will give Natalie credit for stepping out of the box and trying something that hasn't been done too often. The alternative version is the exact same sans Vargas, which sounds slightly more polished.
The Bottom Line: Natalie Villa has truly composed songs that will speak to just about everyone, and she will definitely rise in popularity if she keeps doing what she's doing now and staying authentic. Expect to see and hear a lot more of her in the coming years!
Hope for Every Girl | Posted April-11-2016
After much anticipation, 1GN (formerly 1 Girl Nation) is back and better than ever with a new and improved sound. Now three voices strong after founding members Lindsey Adamec and Kelsey Grimm moved on to other musical pursuits, they're ready to take the world by storm.
Powerhouses Carmen, Lauryn Taylor and Kayli begin the next phase in their journey with the bubbly, bouncy and oh-so-fun "Get Hype." Although some might find the lyrics shallow, the song shows both their versatility and the fact that they don't take themselves too seriously. Among the many other catchy, synth-filled anthems are "The One," which overflows with Scriptural truth and a strong message for young girls; "Cinema," which puts God in the spotlight; and "No Filter," which gives a rarely-sung-about perspective on social media: "If the highlight reel is all you see, where's reality?"
"Guard Your Heart" is one of the many songs on Unite that features gorgeous harmonies interwoven with beautifully penned truth straight from the Bible. Similarly, "Haters" achieves the same goal with a catchy hook and a wonderful driving beat.
The standout track on this album, and the one which genuinely surprised me the most, is "Panic." It features strings and has a ballad sort of feel. It reminded me of BarlowGirl's "I Believe in Love," which may attract slightly older listeners looking for some nostalgia. This song truly sets the stage for 1GN to rise to the top as the Christian music industry's most popular girl band.
Between the catchy pop showcased in "Impossible" and the folky campfire sound of "Smile," 1GN can truly pull off multiple genres and add their own flair to them. The title track, "Unite," is a rallying cry for all Christian girls to come together and take a stand for Jesus. But even though it most definitely possesses a Christian message, it feels like it could easily be played on Top 40 radio. And isn't that exactly what we as Christians need to do-- be in the world but not of it?
The Bottom Line:Unite is definitely 1GN's breakout album. Exploring topics today's preteen and teenage girls deal with and encouraging in fresh new ways, this album will certainly change many lives.
Hope-Filled Worship for This Generation | Posted March-25-2016
Despite 2016's endless waterfall of local church-based worship releases, only a handful sound like they were recorded with a specific target audience in mind. Minnesota-based River Valley Worship's fourth LP does just this: millennials and members of the iGeneration in particular will find Edge of Heaven captivating, relevant and worshipful.
The first two tracks, "The Church is Alive" and "Do It Again," set the stage for anthem after anthem of praise to our Savior through the use of high-energy synths and driving beats. The former boldly declares how God is moving through the church body, while the latter focuses on the powerful experience of worship.
Packed with reverent lyrics and driving percussion, "I Am Healed" is a wonderful affirmation of the victory found in Jesus, while "All For the One Who Saved Me" beautifully communicates the act of surrendering all to Christ. "Edge of Heaven" puts a new spin on the topic of surrender-- the hope of eternity juxtaposed with giving everything this side of eternity to Jesus with reckless abandon.
Speaking of eternity, "Joy is Coming," my personal favorite, serves as an uplifting reminder of the hope we have in Christ despite our trials. The ambient atmosphere created by the minimal guitar riffs and synth pads complements this Scripture-packed message brilliantly.
The lyrics in the bridge of "Your Presence" are notable: "We pray that Your presence would rest in this place / We pray that Your presence would fill us again / Breathe on us, Holy Spirit, breathe on us." Similarly, the guitar and drum pad-driven "Nothing Was the Same" focuses on how the presence of Jesus transforms us.
"No Wonder (Roar of the Rugged Cross)" stands out from the rest of River Valley Worship's masterpiece. In addition to being the album's only Good Friday-centered song, it also sheds a positive light on the cross. The slightly graphic (at times) verses immediately followed by confident proclamations of victory allows worshipers to experience Jesus' crucifixion through the lens of His resurrection. Another prominent standout is "Then Sings My Soul," where the lyrics of "How Great Thou Art" have been paraphrased into an innovative and original rendition. It is a refreshingly modern take on the beloved old hymn.
To close the album, "God's Not Done" and "The Best is Yet to Come" spike up the energy level and leave listeners energized and encouraged. Both of them weave many synths, percussion grooves and guitar riffs together to create an inspirational message that broadcasts the coming kingdom of God.
The Bottom Line: Every song on Edge of Heaven is a hopeful breath of fresh air that will appeal the most to teens and twenty-somethings.
Song to Download Now:
"No Wonder (Roar of the Rugged Cross)" (Get it on iTunes here.)
CCM's Latest Gem | Posted February-24-2016
Sometimes it can seem like we're watching an endless feed of cookie-cutter Christian chart-toppers. Enter Chandler Roberts, a Belmont University graduate and songwriter with a passion for Jesus. In this EP she sings over a rich landscape of music while exploring themes such as identity in Christ and overcoming fears through Him.
"Lionheart," the confident opener, expresses Chandler's heart behind the entire project. Like every other song on The Color EP, the music transports listeners to another place-- a rare phenomenon in today's Christian music industry. The theme of "Lionheart" is best expressed in these lyrics: "Won't be afraid, won't fall apart / 'Cause nothing breaks this lionheart."
My personal favorite, "Rising Setting," contains the perfect combination of uplifting lyrics and musical genius. Its dreamy guitar riffs and slight campfire-ish feel make it a great song for late-night drives and long walks. It also serves as a wonderful reminder of how Jesus is always enough for us, no matter what.
More reflective and meditative, "Fight Your Fear" gives a slight musical nod to The Digital Age (think "All the Poor and Powerless"). The lyrics inspire listeners in every line to boldly step out in faith ("There's a song to sing / Don't let it go unsung"). Its thematic counterpart, "Victory Song," puts a slight spin on the typical song about victory in Christ. Using Scripture, its focus is on the collective body of believers standing together in the victory found in Jesus, despite the hardships faced in this lifetime. It is also heavy on the percussion, which is to be expected of a song about victory. However, the rhythm is innovative enough for it to work well in this context.
The opening line, "In a world of black and white, You come in with Your color shining bright," begins the metaphor-driven "Color." Complete with wonderful harmonies, rich lyrics and ethereal guitar patterns, this song is a must-have. It would be amazing if Christian radio stations played more songs like this one.
The Bottom Line:The Color EP fuses heartfelt and vulnerable lyrics with unforgettable musical soundscapes to create a wonderful worship experience that showcases CCM at its finest.
Something for Everyone | Posted February-08-2016
Dream Records' recent partnership with NewSpring Church in South Carolina led to NewSpring's new Difference Maker EP. Christian music fans of all ages will enjoy listening to the hope-filled messages within the four worship songs on this EP.
Opening track "Now and Forever" sets the overall tone of the EP with an anthem-like declaration to Jesus, complete with poppy synths and infectious percussion. This song could easily be the next big radio single, which would be a well-deserved place for this tune. The other congregational worship song in this collection, "Every Line," makes known our complete dependence on Jesus for everything-- especially our life stories. The entire song builds to a wonderful, worshipful groove as the vocalists cry out, "Write me with Your glory, Jesus / every line Your story, Jesus / author of my faith."
To break up the praise anthems, "Love Me Like That" takes listeners on a wonderfully musical and worshipful journey into the world of electronica. With synthesizers and bass drops that sound like Young & Free and vocals that sound like Kings Kaleidoscope, this song (which is my personal favorite) contains the perfect balance of good music and good theology.
The last track, "It Is Well," is an acoustic take on the beloved hymn. It feels authentic and stripped down, something that feels slightly out of place on a pop-techno worship EP such as this. Nonetheless, NewSpring's take on this hymn is refreshing to hear from a church whose music is geared more toward a younger demographic. Their use of three-part harmony is especially enjoyable, making this rendition of Horatio Spafford's lyrical genius a must-have.
The Bottom Line:Difference Maker offers something for everyone: the CCM fanatic, the dubstep aficionado and the hymn enthusiast.
A Wonderful Take on Worship | Posted January-23-2016
There has recently been an increase in the popularity of worship music written and released by individual local churches rather than industry labels. And this fresh, musically innovative EP is no different. The second release of the Campbellsville, KY, church, All Things Rise, is a beautiful acoustic tribute to our Savior.
The title track, "All Things Rise," begins with an acoustic guitar-driven beat, which sets the stage for what feels like a cross between an intimate coffeehouse performance and a worship session around a campfire. It is a song of praise and thankfulness for all God has done for us, and it serves as the perfect opener to this well-crafted EP. The live version at the end is the same, except for its heavy use of electric guitars.
The next song, "You Make Everything New," is absolutely nothing like its precursor, but is nonetheless my personal favorite. The harmonies are gorgeous, the chorus is catchy and the musical interludes contain elements reminiscent of 1980s light rock. But the musical genius sprinkled throughout this song is by far not the only thing that makes it wonderful. Opening with the lines "Your love has wakened me from slumber / and raised my dead-end life / Your touch has sparked in me new wonder / and I shine with heaven's light," the songwriters of Vineyard Campbellsville skillfully reinvent timeless Scriptural truths in these lyrics.
A memorable acoustic guitar line opens "Over and Over," a love ballad to Jesus that fits perfectly within a congregational setting. Reflective and meditative, the music takes it one step further with the incorporation of dreamy guitar riffs and soft percussion. Similarly, "I Love You" contains lines such as "You sing Your song over my life" and "I have a song that's only for You." It also incorporates a dreamy-sounding reverb in the guitar line, as well as percussion that sounds almost African.
"Let Your Kingdom Come" is essentially a modern reworking of the Lord's Prayer. Although there seems to be nothing that particularly stands out in this song, it draws worshipers into the presence of God in an effective manner.
The Bottom Line:All Things Rise EP is a must-have for the Christian looking for some innovative music that creates an atmosphere of worship.
Song to Download Now:
"You Make Everything New" (Get it on iTunes here.)
KaitlynBarbour_NRT's Music and Book Reviews 
