NEW MUSIC
MAC POWELL New Creation music , they routinely step over the line and the result is big encouragement , big call to action and sometimes big conviction . There is plenty of each on this record .
The pop infused “ Now It ’ s Our Turn ” is a perfect example of not messing around with clichés and getting right to the point . Here , we are directed to the idea that God finds and rescues us in the messiness of sin while creatively pointing us to the fact that true mercy and forgiveness is never easy . The song then strikes a chord of personal conviction by calling us ( as Jesus did ) to go and do likewise to our neighbors and enemies . We are called to love in messy and dirty situations when it isn ’ t comfortable to do so and Jesus says , “ It ’ s your turn .”
“ Come What May ” is a powerful song of honest truth that is lifted from Romans 5 as it reminds us that suffering produces endurance and reliance upon Jesus who is always there to restore us . The title track features driving pop beats and clever lyrics outlining how Jesus gave 100 % of himself on the cross and He never holds back His grace from us , no matter how far away we might be .
Wholehearted is jam packed with honest , well-thought out songs of worship . The whole album just really feels like it was written from the personal perspective a group of guys who are experiencing the highs and lows of living the Christian life , and who are constantly seeking the heart of Christ . WAM does not check the Christian boxes that many other worship artists seem to these days . They are different , they are raw , and they are real . These are the type of songs we should be singing both personally and in corporate worship .
1 . River of Life 2 . New Creation 3 . Love Is the Reason 4 . Be Praised 5 . 1991 6 . The Center of It All 7 . Joy of the Lord 8 . Jesus You Are 9 . Everlasting Arms 10 . Baptized ( feat . Matt Maher )
Former Third Day front man , Mac Powell owns one of the most recognizable voices in the CCM world . His southern gravelly tenor played a huge part in Third Day ’ s platinum success during the 90 ’ s and early 2000 ’ s . His second solo release ; New Creation features ten newly penned songs rooted in the thematic idea that no matter where we are or what we are going through , Christ is at the center of us wanting to make us new by his Spirit . Powell ’ s expressive and rough baritone keeps these songs relevant and honest and will remind you of the later releases of his former group of troubadours .
“ River of Life ” kicks off the album with a
raucous abandon as we are instantly drawn in to the celebration of life and forgiveness that we have in Jesus . The guitar work is outstanding on this track and Powell ’ s southern rock vibe and inspiration do a fine job in communicating the joy of Jesus .
Calling on believers to praise the name of Jesus from the rising of the sun and to lay every burden at His feet , the groovy “ Be Praised ” is the definition of a true worship song that people will love to lift up over and over again both in their cars and on Sunday mornings .
“ The Center of It All ” exalts Jesus as alpha and omega who needs to be the center of our entire lives while “ Everlasting Arms ” borrows pieces from the classic hymn while serving as a powerful reminder of God ’ s unending faithfulness .
“ Baptized ” wraps the album nicely as Matt Maher makes a guest appearance on this midtempo popish duet about the cleansing power of baptismal water .
Overall , this is a nice album from Mac Powell . I was actually surprised at how most every song here is under 4 minutes which is a rarity nowadays . I would have liked a little more musical difference as a few of the tracks tended to run together as the album wore on , but there are some very congregationally friendly tracks here . Most of these songs are well written and fans of Third Day will fall in love with this album .
Gerod Bass Worship leader in Tacoma , WA . Mentor with Worship Catalyst . Singer , songwriter , guitarist with a passion for impacting lives for the sake of the Gospel . www . oslc . com