Word Label Group
Release Date: June 2nd 2017
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Love & The Outcome– Scars To Your Beautiful (Single) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Scars To Your Beautiful
“…basically, that song is about body image. It’s directed at women, but I think men can relate to it as well. It’s just a song about these things that certain women go through on a daily basis in order to feel loved or in order to love themselves. I think that’s such a thing that goes on in today’s world. These weird things are instilled in us. You know? That tell us that we’re not good enough or that there’s only one kind of beauty. This song basically is contradicting that idea. It’s saying, ‘Well, if the world doesn’t like how you look then they should change. They should change their perspective. You don’t have to change yourself.’…’Scars To Your Beautiful’ is basically about embracing yourself and finally coming to that conclusion where you feel love and you can love yourself. I think it’s cool to put out third because I feel like I have a bigger platform now. The point of the song is to reach as many women, or people, as possible…” One of the biggest songs on the airwaves right now, in both the Christian and mainstream music industry is Alessia Cara’s “Scars To Your Beautiful”. Released in 2016 as the third single to her debut 2015 album Know-It-All, the track has been resonating with fans and listeners, as Alessia delves into the issue of breaking down society’s view on beauty, that it has to be people of a certain look, and turning the viewpoint upside down. Reminding us all that ‘…there’s no better you than the you that you are…’, Alessia’s song is blowing up even more now, with plenty of covers releasing in the past few months. Cimorelli, Alive City, Alex G and Carrollton have all unveiled covers (see below!) and now this week another cover of the inspiring melody has released. Love & The Outcome, comprising of husband and wife Chris Rademaker and Jodi King, have dropped the song today digitally, and the result is nothing short of remarkable.
Signed to Word Label Group in 2013, Love & The Outcome have not had an easy road to recognition and prominence; Jodi King and Chris Rademaker felt a calling on their hearts to make music, and thus began their trek across the border from Canada to the U.S a few years ago; into the great unknown and the vastness of uncertainty. Being from another country, they had to pack up their bags (literally), acquire a new place of residence, and say goodbye to everything they’ve ever known. Thus the journey of recording the self-titled debut Love & The Outcome, which released in 2013. Fast forward to last year and These Are The Days released. You can read our 5 star review of the album here, and after such a ground-breaking album in my opinion (containing the singles such as “The God I Know”, and standouts “Gates”, “Strangers”, “Palaces”, “Galaxies” and the title track), you’d have to wonder why the band would choose to release a new single, albeit a cover, so soon. Why not tour promoting These Are The Days and then record another album? Well the answer is simple. It’s because the message of “Scars To Your Beautiful” needs to be heard for us to stand up, take notice and take action.
Musically the track doesn’t really deviate from the original, but that’s not the point. The point is that Jodi and Chris’ desperation and passion for the subject matter of redefining worth and body image is evident in this 4-minute melody. As Jodi eloquently reminds us all that ‘…there’s a hope that’s waiting for you in the dark, you should know you’re beautiful just the way you are, and you don’t have to change a thing, the world could change its heart, no scars to your beautiful, we’re stars and we’re beautiful…’, we are reminded of the fact that no matter what we look like or how we feel on the outside, that our character on the inside is most important. What is alluded to in this song is that Jesus is the hope for us waiting to affirm us and love us the way we are, yet even though the song may not have been setting out to have that double meaning, there’s no reason why God couldn’t or wouldn’t use this song for His glory and to bring people closer to Him. Well done Jodi and Chris for performing this inspiring hit, and for Alessia for recording a melody we all need to hear, now more than ever.
For me personally, I love Love & The Outcome’s debut album very much, and love their sophomore album very much also. In fact, I reckon Jodi and Chris are one of my favourite duos ever (along with for KING & COUNTRY). So I guess it should come to no surprise to you all when I say that I love this version of “Scars To Your Beautiful”! Love & The Outcome have knocked it out of the park- check it out and let me know what you think! Well done Jodi and Chris, I can’t wait for what God has in store for you next!
3 songs to listen to: Scars To Your Beautiful, all versions, all 3 plus times!
Score: 4.5/5
RIYL: Grayson Reed, Natalie Grant, Francesca Battistelli, MercyMe, Casting Crowns