Javen “Grace” Album Review

Prime Cuts: Amazing, Eternal Grace, Lift Me Up
Overall Grade: 4.5/5
Too often Gospel music can be too presumptuous. With a tiny hook that last for only a few seconds, many songwriters think they can sloppily extend that into a six or seven minute song padding it with fluff. This has given the genre a bad reputation of producing more ab libs than carefully thought out melodic structures. Javen is a rare exception. His songs do not exhibit any hints of laziness. You won't find half-written songs augmented with lots of "spontaneous worship." Rather, these 12 newly recorded cuts (two are interludes and one of them is a Spanish language counterpart) show strong melodic structures with variegated styles (ranging from pop to soul to Gospel to dance to ballads).
"Grace" is Javen's seventh solo effort as well as his first album in five years. The album gets onto a glorious start with the title cut "Grace." Featuring lots of soul-tinging keyboard arpeggios, clappy drums before Javen is joined by a magnificent choir, grace has never sounded more amazing. John Newton's hymn "Amazing Grace" receives a campy nu-folk Mumford and Sons update in "Amazing." With finger snapping drum beats and a driving melody, "He paid It All" sounds like a classic hymn to be. Continuing on the theme of grace is "Eternal Grace," a carefully crafted choir piece that narrates the account of Jesus' death and resurrection with a 70s-soulful touch.
Hands down, the best song on the record is Javen's duet with Christina Bell"You Lift Me Up." Never succumbing to any wasted notes, this worship ballad truly is a ministry to the heart. Listening to how Javen and Bell testify to God's deliverance in our troubled times is worth every penny of this download. Inspired by his visit to Jerusalem, you can hear Javen's heart leaping with joy on the festive "Jehovah." And the celebration continues with the hit-the-room dance romp "It's My Hallelujah." But the album does dip a little with the average "Right Now Praise," letdown by its far too aggressive demeanour.
Javen is to be congratulated for putting in the extra effort to craft his songs beyond just a hook. He is careful in developing his melodic arches and imbuing each tune with creative backings. Most importantly, the songs give exposition to the depth and dimensions of the Gospel hub word, "grace."
Tags : Javen javen grace album review javen new album javen news javen grace
Hot Trends
-
Big Freedia Announces Debut Gospel Album, "Pressing Onward," Out Aug. 8th
-
Vatican to Host Exclusive Presentation of The Chosen Season 5, Episode 4: “The Same Coin”
-
Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” Officially Certified Platinum
-
Benny DiChiara & Empowered to Take the Stage at NOLA Gold Rugby Team's Faith Night
-
Here Are Lyrics to Passion's "The Lord Will Provide"
-
Sidewalk Prophets and Ben Fuller Unite for a Stunning Rendition of “Amazing Grace” at Quincy Mine
-
Citizen Way Teams Up with The Corbans for Impactful New Single “Brand New”
-
Sanctus Real Releases Declarative New Single, "You Are I Am"
-
Carvin Winans Scores #1 hit on Billboard Gospel Airplay Chart with “God Still Working On Me”
-
Forrest Frank Rules Top Gabb Music Songs Chart for Second Consecutive Month, Charts Five Songs in Total
-
Michael Tait Faces Additional Allegations from 6 More Men, Including Two Minors
-
TobyMac Accused of Dabbling with Satanic Occult
-
Luke Hellebronth Releases New Worship Anthem “The One Thing”
-
Phil Wickham's Son Graduates from Kindergarten & Receives the "Most Curious About Jesus" Award
-
12th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards Nominees Announced
Most Popular
-
Big Freedia Announces Debut Gospel Album, "Pressing Onward," Out Aug. 8th
-
Vatican to Host Exclusive Presentation of The Chosen Season 5, Episode 4: “The Same Coin”
-
Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah” Officially Certified Platinum
-
Benny DiChiara & Empowered to Take the Stage at NOLA Gold Rugby Team's Faith Night
-
Here Are Lyrics to Passion's "The Lord Will Provide"
-
Sidewalk Prophets and Ben Fuller Unite for a Stunning Rendition of “Amazing Grace” at Quincy Mine
-
Citizen Way Teams Up with The Corbans for Impactful New Single “Brand New”
-
Sanctus Real Releases Declarative New Single, "You Are I Am"
-
Carvin Winans Scores #1 hit on Billboard Gospel Airplay Chart with “God Still Working On Me”
-
Forrest Frank Rules Top Gabb Music Songs Chart for Second Consecutive Month, Charts Five Songs in Total
-
Michael Tait Faces Additional Allegations from 6 More Men, Including Two Minors
-
TobyMac Accused of Dabbling with Satanic Occult
-
Luke Hellebronth Releases New Worship Anthem “The One Thing”
-
Phil Wickham's Son Graduates from Kindergarten & Receives the "Most Curious About Jesus" Award
-
12th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards Nominees Announced