Independent
Release Date: May 8th 2020
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Brandon Heath– Faces On A Train (Single) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Faces On A Train
One of the most inspirational, impacting, honest, emotional and vulnerable artists I’ve heard within the last decade, has had to be Brandon Heath. For all of Brandon Heath’s previous singles, from “Give Me Your Eyes”, “Leaving Eden”, “Your Love” and “I’m Not Who I Was”, to “Jesus In Disguise”, “Love Does”, “Whole Heart”, “Got The Love” and “Behold Our God”; Brandon’s latest single “Faces On A Train” lyrically harkens back to Brandon’s second album, and specifically his smash hit “Give Me Your Eyes”. Not your most typical CCM pop sounding song, Brandon tries his hand at the big band jazz genre; as well as including brass instruments like saxophones and trumpets in the track for diversity and variety. Yet Brandon never wavers in his message of hope and peace in the midst of the frailties of the human condition, as he eloquently sings about wanting to and longing to know deeply the people he sees on the train every day. Possibly a metaphor for wanting to know the people he sees everyday in his neighbourhood; this timely song which released last week during the midst of quarantine and COVID-19, reminds us of how we all need to stay connected during this time, and about how we all need human interaction around us to live and survive.
As Brandon Heath continues to remind us through his storytelling and his strong songwriting that as we search for Jesus in the everyday activities and people we encounter, we can indeed find the beauty and peace that God gives us, and the sense of what God is calling us to do; Brandon’s lyrics are similar in style at times to Andrew Peterson, Jason Gray, and Nichole Nordeman. This has challenged me, as Brandon’s musically varied style is ever evolving, and a joy to see and hear him break the mould and deliver a fantastic and well produced independent song! Coming up from left field, Brandon’s latest single is pleasantly good and refreshing, as my doubts are left by the first note, even though the song structure isn’t that ‘normal’! With a smorgasbord of genres attached to this vibrant and soothing melody; I am able to feel reenergised and revitalised as Brandon opens all of our eyes to the message that we all need comradery and friendship while we live in physical isolation, and even beyond that as well! A well written and sung nearly-5-minute melody; this release has me extremely excited for a new Brandon Heath album, whenever that may be! So for fans of Brandon Heath and his ever-reliable acoustic material, take a listen at this unique refreshing melody- I guarantee it that you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Score: 4/5
RIYL: Josh Wilson, Matthew West, Sidewalk Prophets, Big Daddy Weave