Another Storytelling Success
Posted September 19, 2017
By CaitlinLassiter_NRT, Staff Reviewer
Matthew West is a phenomenal artist, creative, musician and so much more--- but I would propose to you that there's nothing Matthew does quite as well as tell stories. Be it with his own story or the stories of others, Matthew has a remarkable way of transforming painful pasts into lyrics that breathe hope and healing.
With a songwriting craftsmanship that somehow continues to get better with each record, Matthew's discography is overflowing with track after track that has changed lives and encouraged listeners by pointing them to Christ. Now ready to share a new message with the world, Matthew's latest release All In has a story all its own: "The fact that God still uses me blows me away. There are a lot of times that I feel broken and unqualified for God to use me, but day after day He invites me into the gates and says 'I'm going to use you in a powerful way' because our God is in the business of using broken people and broken things."
The title track "All In" opens the album with a strong display of West's vivid writing that cuts straight to the heart of the message: "Turns out 'safe' is just another word for regret / so I step to the edge and I take a deep breath / we're all dying to live but we're all scared to death / this is the part where my head tells my heart it should turn back around but there's no turning back now / I'm going all in." Lead radio single "Broken Things" follows, offering a fresh take on the reminder that God is more than able to use our weaknesses for His glory.
Matthew's storytelling skills come alive beautifully as he details his own life experiences in "The Sound Of A Life Changing." Continuing that thread, "Power Love Sound Mind" powerfully meshes together the true stories of others and "Never Ever Give Up" honors the life of Matthew's young friend Brooke Mulford. Brooke recently passed away after a long battle with cancer, but her inspiring story of strength and her resilient spirit live on through this song (click here to see Matthew play the song for Brooke).
Redemptive "Mercy Is A Song" and foot-tapping "Amen" will have listeners singing along with their catchy melodies, contrasting well against emotional "The Beautiful Things We Miss" and heartfelt "Becoming Me," which features Lulu West in a touching father-daughter moment. Keeping with that theme of family, "Jesus & You" and "Something Greater" are beautiful tributes to his wife and their life together.
Wrapping up the hearty fourteen-track album, "Dream Again" offers a dose of encouragement to discouraged hearts, and "You Are Known" serves as a letter to those who feel forgotten and alone.
The Bottom Line: There are few artists who convey their messages as descriptively, creatively and passionately as Matthew West consistently does. Carefully crafted by a writer who doesn't shy away from baring his heart and allowing a refreshing authenticity to invade his music, All In offers the perfect mix of both fulfilling pop tunes and heartfelt ballads as beautiful lyricism completes the picture of a quality record.
Song To Download Now:
"All In" (Get it on iTunes here.)
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