2016's Artist To Watch
Posted December 13, 2016
By CaitlinLassiter_NRT, Staff Reviewer
It's almost unheard of for an artist's debut single to be nominated for a GRAMMY just months after its release, but that's exactly what has happened for Zach Williams. As "Chain Breaker" erupted onto Christian radio this summer, it quickly became a hit with fans and, almost out of nowhere, Zach became the artist to watch heading into 2017. As the newcomer offers fans a stylistic mix of Crowder meets Third Day meets NEEDTOBREATHE with his rock country roots running through each song, his debut EP Chain Breaker gives listeners an enticing first taste of what's to come from Zach Williams.
The breakout title track opens the album with a powerful spirit of worship, carried gracefully by Zach's grungy vocals. "If you've got pain, He's a pain taker / if you feel lost, He's a way maker / if you need freedom, saving, He's a prison shaking Savior / if you got chains, He's a chain breaker," the hopeful chorus proclaims, resonating with listeners everywhere. Zach's musical infusion of southern rock grit is present throughout the whole album, but especially on "Old Church Choir" and "Song Of Deliverance," both of which offer unique expressions of his country music style.
The EP wraps up with a much slower tempo than its opening, settling down into reverent moments of worship. "Revival" proves to be a highlight on the album, as Zach sings of the redemption and life brought to us through Christ: "You gave me life cause that's what You do / oh, I was dead but look at me now / I found revival in You." EP closer "To The Table" offers captivating lyrical imagery that beautifully describes the grace Christ offers to us in our difficulties: "Bring it all to the table, it's nothing He ain't seen before / for all your trials, all your worries, and your burdens, there's a Savior and He calls."
The Bottom Line: Zach Williams has absolutely proven himself the artist to watch this year, first with the hit single and now the standout EP to match. I've said before that I'm a fan of EPs because they force the artist to display all the styles they want represented in their music in a much smaller space--something Zach does well here as he offers good portions of both southern rock and simple worship in only five tracks. 2017 looks to be a big year for the GRAMMY nominee, as we'll hopefully catch a full-length album and see what else the newcomer has up his sleeve.
Song To Download Now:
"Chain Breaker" (Get it on iTunes here.)
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