Wholehearted | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 15 October 2021 | |||
Recorded | 2020–2021 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 42:47 | |||
Label | Word Entertainment | |||
Producer |
| |||
We Are Messengers chronology | ||||
| ||||
Wholehearted + | ||||
Singles from Wholehearted | ||||
|
Wholehearted is the third studio album by American worship band We Are Messengers,released via Word Entertainment on 15 October 2021. [1] The album features guest appearances by Josh Baldwin,Cory Asbury,and Vince Gill. [2] The album was produced by Jeff Pardo,Apollo LTD,Matt Maher,Darren Mulligan,Kyle Williams,Benjamin Backus,Chris Stevens,and Bryan Fowler.
The album was supported by the release of "Come What May" and "God You Are" as singles. "Come What May" peaked at No. 2 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart. "God You Are" peaked at No. 35 on the Hot Christian Songs chart. "Friend of Sinners" was released as a promotional single.
Wholehearted was released to mostly positive reviews from critics who praised the band's lyrical depth and sincerity in the songs,while bemoaning the album's radio-friendly sound. The album debuted at No. 15 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart in the United States. At the 2022 GMA Dove Awards,"Come What May" received a GMA Dove Award nomination for Song of the Year. [3]
In August 2021,We Are Messengers announced that they will release their third studio album,Wholehearted,on 15 October 2021. [4] The album was written and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, [5] the band stating on social media the shutting down of tours led them to write new music as a way to process and document their feelings in an attempt to "make sense of a strange new world." [4] Mulligan collaborated with acclaimed songwriters such as Kyle Williams,Phil Wickham,Ethan Hulse,Adam Stark and Jordan Phillips from Apollo LTD,Ryan Ellis and Benjamin Backus,among others. [6] The music videos for the album were filmed in the hometown of lead singer Darren Mulligan in Ireland,showcasing the beauty of the country. [7] Mulligan stressed that the importance of filming of the music videos in Ireland was to serve as a reminder of who they are and where they come from,remembering that their success is a gift " gift and is from the simple kindness of God." [8]
Musically,Wholehearted has been described by Lindsay Williams of K-Love "the group’s most pop-centric offering yet." [6] Williams stated that the songs are "primed for packed singalongs as the band gets back on tour." [6] Jesus Freak Hideout categorised the album as "pop / worship" while reviewer Joel Zaloum noted a departure from the sonical variety of We Are Messengers' previous releases,saying the album contains "mostly mid-tempo pop that you'd find on most Christian radio stations." [9] Timothy Yap of JubileeCast also noted the radio-friendliness of the tracks,saying "The melodic progression of most of the songs are so tailored made for radio,that it is predictable." [10] 365 Days of Inspiring Media's Joshua Andre noted that the band "don’t do that much to reinvent the wheel of worship and CCM." [11]
Lyrically,Darren Mulligan described the album as holding nothing back,while giving a 360 view of their experience and spiritual journey over the two years preceding the album's release. [8] Joshua Andre noted that the album conveys "heart,soul,passion,and a zeal for Christ." [11] Joel Zaloum stated that "The message of God's grace given to undeserving sinners permeates the entire album." [9] Timothy Yap observed that the album thematically revolves around "issues such as God's goodness,presence,and sovereignty over our circumstances." [10] Kelly Meade of Today's Christian Entertainment said the album contains "songs of God’s unwavering faithfulness and love while not covering up our struggles and questions we have as humans navigating our journey of faith." [12]
"Come What May" was released on 11 June 2021 as the lead single from the album. [13] The single impacted Christian radio stations in the United States on 16 July 2021. [14] The music video for "Come What May" was published on 30 July 2021. [15] On 10 September 2021,We Are Messengers released a new version of the song,titled "Come What May +" featuring Cory Asbury. [16] The song peaked at No. 2 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart, [17] and No. 19 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. [18] "Come What May" reached No. 1 on the Christian Airplay chart dated 29 January 2022,becoming the band's first chart-topping song on Christian Airplay. [19] "Come What May" received a GMA Dove Award nomination for Song of the Year at the 2022 GMA Dove Awards. [20]
On 14 March 2022,the radio promotion team of Word Entertainment announced that "God You Are" would impact Christian radio stations in the United States on 8 April 2022. [21] "God You Are" peaked at No. 30 on the Hot Christian Songs chart. [17]
On 13 August 2021,We Are Messengers launched the digital pre-order of the album,releasing "God You Are" featuring Josh Baldwin as the first instant grat track from the album,accompanied with its lyric video. [22] The music video for "God You Are" was published on 3 September 2021. [23]
On 17 September 2021,We Are Messengers released "Friend of Sinners" as the second instant grat track from the album,accompanied with its lyric video. [24]
We Are Messengers published the music video for "Wholehearted" on 22 October 2021. [25] On 12 November 2021,We Are Messengers issued the music video for "Holding On." [26] On 10 December 2021,We Are Messengers released the music video for "Now It's Our Turn." [27] On 21 January 2022,We Are Messengers released the music video for "Close." [28] On 4 February 2022,We Are Messengers availed the music video for "Loved Like This." [29]
On 17 February 2022,We Are Messengers announced that they will be embarking on The Wholehearted Tour featuring Apollo LTD and Stephen Stanley as special guests,in the spring of 2022. [30] The tour will span 17 dates across venues in the United States,commencing at the Family Worship Center in Marshall,Missouri,on 7 April 2022,and concluding at Connections Church in Savannah,Georgia on 7 May 2022. [31]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
365 Days of Inspiring Media | 4.5/5 [11] |
Jesus Freak Hideout | [9] |
JubileeCast | 3/5 [10] |
Today's Christian Entertainment | [12] |
Joshua Andre in his 365 Days of Inspiring Media review opined that "Wholehearted is emotional,personal and honest. It’s not as flashy nor grandiose. It’s sometimes clichélyrically,but there’s that sense of rawness and realness about the album as well." [11] Jesus Freak Hideout's Joel Zaloum wrote in his three star review:"The message of Wholehearted is timely and rests on biblical foundations,but the energy seems a bit low and certainly doesn't match up to their bubbly debut. The band,for the most part,stays within radio friendly confines,with less dynamic variety than previous efforts. Still,if you're in need of an encouraging word,or are looking for deeper biblical content than most Christian pop,you'll find much to enjoy here." [9] Timothy Yap of JubileeCast acknowledged that while the album had was set apart as a result of the band going "deeper lyrically than many of their peers," his major complaint lied with the album's production,saying "Wholehearted sounds like everything you loathe about Christian radio." [10] Kelly Meade praised the album in her review at Today's Christian Entertainment,"Each track will connect with listeners in some way as the lyrics keep it real while directing our focus to strengthening our relationship with God. With lead singer Darren Mulligan's signature vocals and the band’s genre-blending musical sound along with the overall message of the album make Wholehearted one of the best of We Are Messengers' career thus far and a must listen." [12] Caitlin Lassiter issued a positive review of the album for Worship Leader,saying:"Wholehearted is We Are Messengers’best work to date. Not only is the musicality and production next level for the band,but the songwriting is Mulligan and his crew of co-writers at the top of their game. This record is sure to encourage all who hear it." [32]
In the United States,Wholehearted debuted at No. 15 on Top Christian Albums chart dated 30 October 2021. [33]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Wholehearted" |
| Jeff Pardo | 3:02 |
2. | "Come What May" |
| Jeff Pardo | 3:21 |
3. | "Now It's Our Turn" |
| Apollo LTD | 3:07 |
4. | "God You Are" (featuring Josh Baldwin) |
| Matt Maher | 4:25 |
5. | "Friend of Sinners" |
| Jeff Pardo | 3:22 |
6. | "Million Miles Away" |
| Apollo LTD | 3:38 |
7. | "Keep the Faith" |
| Apollo LTD | 3:29 |
8. | "Close" |
| Apollo LTD | 3:42 |
9. | "Faith Sees Best in the Dark" |
|
| 3:46 |
10. | "Loved Like This" |
|
| 4:18 |
11. | "Holding On" |
|
| 3:16 |
12. | "The Parting Glass" |
| Benjamin Backus | 3:23 |
Total length: | 42:27 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
13. | "Come What May +" (with Cory Asbury) |
| Jeff Pardo | 3:21 |
14. | "Image Of God (Acoustic) +" (with Vince Gill) |
|
| 3:48 |
15. | "Wholehearted (Acoustic) +" |
| Jeff Pardo | 3:06 |
16. | "Friend Of Sinners (Acoustic) +" |
| Jeff Pardo | 3:22 |
17. | "Come What May (Acoustic) +" (with Cory Asbury) |
| Jeff Pardo | 3:25 |
Total length: | 42:27 |
Chart (2021) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Christian Albums (Billboard) [34] | 15 |
Region | Date | Edition | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | 15 October 2021 | Standard | Word Entertainment | ||
Deluxe (Wholehearted +) |
I Know a Ghost is the third studio album by American Contemporary Christian musician Crowder. The album was released on November 9, 2018, via Sixsteps and Sparrow Records. The album features guest appearances by TAYA, Mandisa, Riley Clemmons, JR, and Social Club Misfits. Crowder collaborated with Tommee Profitt, Ed Cash, Solomon Olds, Brendon Coe, and Hank Bentley in the production of the album.
Cody Jay Carnes is an American Christian singer, songwriter and worship pastor.
Jennifer Louise Johnson is an American Christian worship singer, songwriter and worship pastor. She is a co-founding member of Bethel Music, and is one-half of the husband-and-wife worship duo, Brian and Jenn Johnson. She is also a senior worship pastor at Bethel Church in Redding, California, and a Senior Overseer of WorshipU, an online school of worship sponsored by Bethel.
We the Kingdom is an American contemporary Christian music band signed to the Capitol Christian Music Group. The band consists of multiple generations of relatives: Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Martin Cash, and Scott Cash. The band's name comes after the idea that "the kingdom of God is here among us".
Michael Brandon Lake is an American Christian worship singer, songwriter, guitarist, and worship pastor. Lake is a former member of Maverick City Music and serves as a worship pastor at Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Lake began his recording career with a successful crowdfunding campaign to produce an album in 2015, which resulted in the independent release of his debut studio album, Closer, in 2016.
Dante Bowe is an American contemporary music singer, and songwriter. He is known as a former member of the Bethel Music collective and Maverick City Music.
Milk & Honey is the fourth studio album by American contemporary Christian musician Crowder. The album was released on June 11, 2021, via Sixsteps and Sparrow Records. A deluxe edition of the album was released on March 4, 2022. The album features guest appearances by Hulvey, Maverick City Music, and Dante Bowe. The album was produced by Ben Glover, Jeff Sojka, Hank Bentley, Jeff Pardo, Zach Paradis, Solomon Olds, and Tommee Profitt.
Hymn of Heaven is the eighth studio album by American contemporary Christian singer Phil Wickham. It was released on June 25, 2021, by Fair Trade Services and Columbia Records. The album features a guest appearance by Brandon Lake.
Homecoming is the thirteenth live album by California-based worship collective Bethel Music. The album was released through the collective's imprint label, Bethel Music, on September 24, 2021. The featured worship leaders on the album are Cory Asbury, Zahriya Zachary, Jonathan David Helser, Melissa Helser, David Funk, Dante Bowe, Hannah McClure, Brandon Lake, Paul McClure, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Josh Baldwin, Emmy Rose, Kristene DiMarco, and Bethany Wohrle, with guest appearances from Gable Price, Gabe Jackson, Matt Redman, Naomi Raine and Chris Quilala.
"For God Is with Us" is a song performed by an Australian Christian pop duo For King & Country. The song was released as the second single from their fifth studio album, What Are We Waiting For? (2022), on 24 September 2021. The song was written by Joel Smallbone, Jordan Reynolds, Josh Kerr, and Luke Smallbone.
What Are We Waiting For? is the fifth studio album by For King & Country, an Australian Christian pop duo comprising brothers Luke Smallbone and Joel Smallbone, released via Word Entertainment on 11 March 2022. The album contains guest appearances by Dante Bowe, Sleeping at Last, Tori Kelly, and Kirk Franklin. The duo collaborated with Tedd T., Josh Kerr, Jeff Sojka, Federico Vindver, Benjamin Backus, and Seth Mosley in the production of the album.
"Sure Thing" is a song performed by Australian contemporary worship band Hillsong United. It was released on 29 October 2021, as the second single from their sixth studio album, Are We There Yet? (2022). The song was written by Benjamin Hastings, and Joel Houston. Joel Houston, Michael Guy Chislett, and Dan McMurray handled the production of the single.
"Gratitude" is a song by Brandon Lake. The song was released on June 3, 2022, as the third single from his second studio album, House of Miracles (2020). Lake co-wrote the song with Benjamin Hastings and Dante Bowe. Jacob Sooter worked on the production of the single.
Lion is the tenth live album by American contemporary worship band Elevation Worship. It was released on March 4, 2022, via Elevation Worship Records and Provident Label Group. The featured worship leaders on the album are Chris Brown, Jonsal Barrientes, Brandon Lake, Pat Barrett, Tiffany Hudson, Joe L. Barnes, and Chandler Moore.
"Come What May" is a song by American worship band We Are Messengers. The song was released as the lead single to their third studio album, Wholehearted (2021), on 11 June 2021. The song was written by Darren Mulligan and Jeff Pardo. Jeff Pardo produced the single.
Believe for It is the first live album and twelfth overall album by American gospel singer CeCe Winans. It was released on March 12, 2021, via Puresprings Gospel and Fair Trade Services. The deluxe edition of the album was released on April 1, 2022. The album was produced by Kyle Lee.
Seven is the first live album by New Zealand singer-songwriter Brooke Ligertwood and her seventh solo album overall. It was released on 25 February 2022, via Sparrow Records and Capitol Christian Music Group. The album features a guest appearance by Brandon Lake. The album was recorded on 11 November 2021, at The Belonging Co in Nashville, Tennessee. Ligertwood collaborated with Jason Ingram in handling the production of the album.
My Jesus is the debut studio album by American contemporary Christian music singer Anne Wilson, which was released via Capitol Christian Music Group on April 22, 2022. The album features guest appearances by Hillary Scott and Crowder.
"God Really Loves Us" is a song performed by Crowder and Dante Bowe featuring Maverick City Music. It was released on June 3, 2022, as the third single from Crowder's fourth studio album, Milk & Honey (2021). Crowder co-wrote the song with Ben Glover, Dante Bowe, and Jeff Sojka.
We the Kingdom is the second studio album by American contemporary Christian music band We the Kingdom, which was released via Capitol Christian Music Group on September 16, 2022.