Atlantic Records / Hear it Loud
Release Date: January 24th 2020
Reviewed by: Jonathan Andre
Colton Dixon – Miracles (Single) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Miracles
Colton Dixon is practically a mainstay within the CCM scene nowadays. Since his burst into music after his American Idol exit all those years ago, alongside chart-topping songs like ‘You Are’, ‘Never Gone’ and ‘More of You’, Colton’s exposure to the industry has come alongside maturity. Even in his most recent full-length 2017 album Identity that birthed the singles ‘All That Matters’, ‘I Would Choose You’, ‘No Greater Love’ and ‘The Other Side’, Colton delivered arguably what I believe was one of 2017’s best, in either CCM or mainstream. Using the same platform as many artists- American Idol, from artists like Carrie Underwood, Danny Gokey, Mandisa, and Jason Castro, to Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson and Kris Allen; to start a career in music; Colton’s unexpected exit from American Idol was more of a blessing in disguise. Signing a record deal with Sparrow Records (and subsequent leaving), and 3 albums later, Colton, alongside Mandisa, has been one of the most successful and greatest finds, out of anyone who has moved from American Idol to Christian music, ever. Now in 2020, Colton is back at it again, this time moving from Sparrow Records to Atlantic/Hear It Loud, and offering a radio single in ‘Miracles’, his first in around 3 years. How does this 3 minute poppy bopper compare to chart-topping singles of the past, like ‘Limitless’, ‘Echo’ and ‘Through All Of It’? Would you be following Colton on his musical journey into the avenues of a different label as the months progress?
Co-written with songwriter Michael Jade and the late busbee (who collaborated with Colton on his chart-topping single ‘You Are’ back in the day), ‘Miracles’ is not necessarily an ingenious or even ‘new’ song title- plenty of other songs, like ‘Miracles’ (Jesus Culture), ‘Miracles’ (Audio Adrenaline), ‘Miracles’ (Jesus Culture), ‘He Sill Does (Miracles)’ (Hawk Nelson) and ‘Miracles’ (Newsboys) are just some of many, many more songs with the same title as Colton’s, and a similar theme too…so how does Colton’s new song stand out? I guess the driving force behind the song is that it’s collaborated with busbee, a very popular producer in the mainstream industry till his untimely death a few years ago. And so for his name to be promethously attached to this song will at least cause intrigue and interest in such a song that I’m sure will cross over into mainstream, definitely this year. A song about the little miracles in life, and acknowledging that there is more out there than just mere coincidence and luck, Colton himself expresses his own thoughts on the song- ‘…‘Miracles’ is a song that has meaning and depth, but it just feels fun musically. Some things are more than coincidence. I believe there is a God who loves you and looking out for you. I’m pointing out to others that there’s more to life than meets the eye. I believe miracles happen all around us. I’d like to encourage all of us to slow down a bit, so we can see and appreciate the miracles for what they are…’ The song I’m sure will encourage people who may have heard many of other busbee-produced songs (he collaborated with many artists in the past, from 5 Seconds of Summer, Lauren Alaina, Daughtry, Lady Antebellum and Rascal Flatts, to Maren Morris, Keith Urban, Kelly Clarkson and Jana Kramer), to maybe, just maybe check out this new song from Colton, and that is a good thing. Even something as unfortunate and saddening about busbee’s passing, if that can bring about a widening in music appreciation, and God Himself speaking to us, then God has used what has been a tragedy to our good and His glory, and that in an of itself, is a certain miracle. Well done Colton for such an engaging song, can’t wait for the full-length album on Atlantic Records, whenever that may be.
Score: 4/5
RIYL: Tenth Avenue North, OneRepublic, MercyMe, needtobreathe