Capitol Christian Music Group
Release Date: January 4th 2019
Reviewed by Joshua Andre
Cody Carnes– Nothing Else (Single) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Nothing Else
Prior to Cody Carnes’ release of his debut album The Darker The Night / The Brighter The Morning; there wasn’t really much anyone knew of him. We knew that he was part of Gateway Church and their worship team, and we also knew that he was Kari Jobe’s husband. Yet ever since we heard “The Cross Is The Final Word” a couple of years ago, we have been enamoured, captivated and marvelled by his passion for Jesus and his heart for creating heartfelt and meaningful music. Just read my brother’s review of Cody’s debut album- and then you’ll know his worship/rock sound and just how influential and important he is in the Christian worship music industry right now. And while last year both Cody and Kari released their version of “Cover The Earth”- their first song as a ‘duo’, when we at the time thought that they’d join together as a band and abandon their respective solo careers (of which they still may do in the future!); it’s time for us to be acquainted with Cody’s most recent single. “Nothing Else” is a hope and a prayer than Jesus would be all that we need and that we would need nothing else to be made whole or complete or fulfilled. With Cody earnestly relaying all of the facts, we are met with one of the most vulnerable songs I’ve ever heard in 2019.
Sounding vocally very similar to Phil Wickham (in a very good way!), Cody ardently relays to us in this single that nothing else will satisfy in our lives- only Jesus. Similar in theme to Casting Crowns’ “Only Jesus”; we are presented with a subdued ballad turned into a anthemic, epic and cinematic orchestral type piece, as the Holy Spirit invades our hearts and minds and ensures that this will be a song for a new generation and for the old generation as well, as we proclaim our need for Jesus in our lives now and forever.
Perhaps Cody Carnes will release a brand new album this year. Maybe he’ll join forces with his wife Kari and release a duet project. Regardless of what happens in the future, this inspiring and emotional new single from Kari’s husband is still bound to be enjoyed by anyone who loves worship music, period. Spending his time leading worship with Gateway Worship as well as being on the road touring with wife Kari Jobe, Cody is starting to come into his own as an artist; and I reckon it will be “Nothing Else” that will propel him into being a worship leader that everyone wants to be in the room with. Fun, loveable and filled with the Holy Spirit. Watch out world- Cody Carnes is coming, and he’ll have a long career ahead of him. “Nothing Else” is just the tip of the iceberg. Well done Cody for such powerful melodies throughout your career, can’t wait to have this track on repeat in my iTunes playlist for months to come!
Score: 4/5
RIYL: Phil Wickham, Bethel Music, Kari Jobe, Elevation Worship, Crowder, Matt Redman