Leave the Lights On
Posted March 28, 2014
By MarcusHathcock_NRT,
It's no secret that dance music has caught on in Christian music, particularly in the praise & worship realm. From the pioneering days of techno-worshipper Andy Hunter to the days where remix albums by Family Force 5, David Thulin and Thousand Foot Krutch have been all the rage, people love their Jesus music with a healthy dose of synth and drum machines. You can hear this on the new Hillsong releases--particularly Young & Free--and in fits and starts with bands like Elevation Worship and Planetshakers.
Central Ohio worship pastor Chris Lawson has taken his love of worship music and desire to encourage the Church to CELEBRATE its freedom in Christ, and has formed Lights of Day. With driving beats, uncompromising lyrics and accessible vocals, Lawson seeks to shoot complacent worship with a 50,000-volt Taser.
Lights of Day's self-titled debut project presents 12 tracks of varying intensities and flavors, with one thing in common: the songs are current, congregational and passionate.
Of course it's natural to make comparisons when listening to new artists, and for this reviewer, Lights of Day has moments where Lawson's vocals recall shades of Richard Marx, Jeff Deyo (of Sonicflood), Adam Young (Owl City), and even a little Smitty. Lawson's voice, while undramatic, presents the accessible "worship-leader" sound that encourages singing. As a worship leader myself, this reviewer sees that as a good thing.
Many times, indie projects either have tremendous instrumentals or tremendous vocals; it's a rare thing to find a project that nails both aspects, and this is one of those.
Highlights of the album certainly are Lights of Day's high-octane EDM pulsators, including explosive soon-to-be-hit single "Shine Like the Morning", "Glorious Grace", "All I Am", "Heaven Come" and the Owl City-like "Praise is Rising." The dance-friendly take on "Crown Him with Many Crowns"--"Crown Him (Hail to the King)"--is a special moment as well.
Lights of Day has a few numbers that actually sound like conventional guitar-driven worship songs, such as "Our Mighty God Reigns" and "Love Has Made a Way." But in the mid- to low-tempo range, the project shines on songs that deploys more of the synth and drum machines, on songs like "You Are Able" and "All I Am"—although while traditionally constructed, "Mercy for the Guilty" is a soaring, haunting highlight.
Closing Thoughts:
It's an exciting time in Christian music, particularly when you realize that people can be making some pretty awesome, well-produced EDM like what we're hearing from Lights of Day.
Like many first projects do, Lawson is experimenting with varying styles within the EDM genre to which he's attached himself. There certainly are things that work really well for him--namely the uptempo praise explosions--and some things that work decently well. Basically, he's much stronger when rocking the synth-and-drum-machine anthems than when producing the traditional-sounding guitar-led tunes. In an industry that's increasingly less guitar-driven, that should be a major kudos.
Lights of Day provides plenty of great music that's more than just ear candy; it's worshipful, powerful praise. I expect that as this artist continues to develop and works on additional material, he'll zero in on the most effective aspects of this debut record and run with them.
Song to Download Now:
"Shine Like the Morning" (Get it on iTunes here.) View All Music And Book Reviews By MarcusHathcock_NRT | View MarcusHathcock_NRT's Profile
|
