Heaven's Worth the Hurting Posted January 16, 2024 By GraceChaves_NRT, Staff Reviewer
What You Need To Know Luke Bower is a new name in the Christian music industry. Although music was always part of his life, he would practice and write songs secretly. His dream of becoming a musician was always at the forefront of his mind, but he chose to enroll in Baylor University to seek a career in finance instead. He felt he was letting his dream of becoming a musician get away, so he prayed for a chance to see his dream become reality. Shortly after, Bower received a text from a talent scout who'd found one of his YouTube videos.
A domino effect happened. That text led to a trip to Nashville, where he realized he needed to tell his family about his dream. They supported him, so Bower left Baylor University and pursued songwriting. When he was only 20, he signed a record deal with music label Fairtrade Services. Since then, he has released songs such as "Haunted" and "Not My Home" from his upcoming EP, Man On Fire.
What it Sounds Like
The first time I heard Bower's song "Not My Home," I was in tears. Beauty was packaged into a three-minute and twenty-five-second track. His style differs from the typical contemporary Christian Music (CCM) genre. While many CCM songs can be bland and each one similar to the next, Bower has presented us with an entirely new way to think about Christian music. He's putting creativity back into Christian music.
Noah Kahan is a common name on my college campus. His folk music has become highly successful, and he's practically become a trend among my peers. But for Christian families trying to protect their kids from explicit lyrics, his songs are less than ideal. That's why it's so important that artists like Luke Bower are coming onto the scene. He's providing listeners with clean, uplifting folk songs that glorify the name of Jesus.
From "Haunted," which has an edgy, folk-rock feel, to "Man On Fire," with its beautiful, poetic lyrics, there's no shortage of talent on this EP. Bower is breathing new life into the often-overlooked genre of Christian folk.
Spiritual Highlights
It would doubtlessly take me several listens before I could present a list of all the incredible spiritual messages on this five-song EP. Each song is laden with profound scriptural truths, provoking me to think deeper about the lyrics. "Halfway To Your Heart," in particular, is lyrically one of my favorite songs from the record. It's a desperate cry to chase after God's heart--no matter the cost. There's a line that says, "I won't stop this searching even if it isn't working/Heaven's worth the hurting."
This concept of chasing after heaven also appears in other songs, including the title track "Man On Fire." In it, the artist opens up about how lonely it can feel to be a Christian "with a cross on your back." The EP is an encouragement that, as lonely and challenging as it can be to be a "man on fire," it's worth it. At the end of all our pain and suffering is heaven's promise: our reward in Jesus Christ. What could ever be better than that?
Best Song
"Not My Home" is the first song I ever heard from Luke Bower, and it's remained my favorite song on the EP. As a college student, I deeply resonate with this song and this entire EP. I, fittingly, listened to this song over Christmas break and was stunned by its relevance to my life. I've wrestled with the question of "home" and have tried for months to figure out where that place is. Is home where my favorite city is, or is it where I grew up? Is home even a place, or is it a person?
Those questions were laid to rest with this song and the simple reminder that nowhere on this earth is my home. My citizenship is in heaven. My true home is not a particular country, state, or dwelling place. My home is where Jesus is, and His home is in heaven. And sometimes, heaven will come down and touch the earth. That's when I realize where I truly belong.
"My eyes have never seen it, but I know that it exists/Something in my soul says there's a better place than this/I'm a stranger in my own skin 'cause there's Eden in my bones/If home is where the heart is/Then this world is not my home."
Final Word
Luke Bower shared, "I want my music to be different and raw, that can touch the heart. I want to make stuff that can resonate with souls." And that is undoubtedly what he's doing. He's making music that is profoundly resonating with souls, including mine. I've been so impressed by this new artist's music, and I'm excited to see what's ahead for him.
If you're a fan of folk music, Man On Fire is a must-listen. Listen on Spotify here and Apple Music here.
