Miracle Maker Music / Hatch Music
Release Date: March 17th 2023
Reviewed by: Jonathan Andre
Erik Nieder – Miracle Maker (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Miracle Maker
- Faithful
- Landslide
- People of God
- Jesus, The Treasure
- I Will Worship
- Thank You (Famine or Feast)
- Only One Thing
- Your Glory, My Good
- Better Story
Erik Nieder is perhaps one of the most underrated worship artists…ever. Since being on the radar after his hit ‘Dead Man Walking’ was covered by Fair Trade Services artist John Tibbs (who has since gone back to being an independent artist), Erik Nieder and his music has been instrumental in my own life, and my own walk with Christ over the years. Since discovering his acoustic style hymn-like music in 2015 with his release of Valley of the Shadow (that incorporated ‘Dead Man Walking’), I have been blessed to hear such powerful and poetic melodies from an artist that is very much mature in both a theological and a lyrical sense than most of his musical contemporaries at the moment. Usually, you come across artists that have a ‘wow’ factor (like Phil Wickham, Jason Gray, Josh Wilson, Andrew Peterson, Tenth Avenue North…you get the picture)- Erik is also one of these artists. With a vocal reminding me of artists like Jars of Clay, Jadon Lavik, Tenth Avenue North and Phil Wickham, fans of these aforementioned artists will thoroughly enjoy Erik’s songwriting and singing style. Erik’s music, be it his new song or songs and albums gone by, is unique- many of his songs he has recorded could easily fit in a hymn-book, that’s the quality of his music! And while people may say that this style of writing music may seem a little less contemporary and less energising than other songs by artists like Bethel Music, Chris Tomlin, and the like, I say that Erik’s ability to create hymn-like melodies again and again is a skill in and of itself. As Erik continues to release song after song with a hymn-like quality (much of his songs on Valley of the Shadow [2015], The Narrow Sea [2016], Faithful EP [2018] and lone single ‘Reignite’ [2018] embody that structure as well), we are indeed reminded that hymn-structured songs aren’t just for the melodies of yesteryear, that there seems to be a power and beauty in hymns, and Erik is creating songs that remind us all that hymn-like songs are just as much needed now as they were a fundamental part of music and society back then.
Since the release of ‘Reignite’, Erik’s been quiet and dormant for around 4-5 years. To be honest, I kinda thought that Erik’s career wouldn’t lie in music anymore. It’s been a few years…maybe he’s changed career path? Nevertheless, Erik released a new music project in 2023- his brand-new full-length album Miracle Maker, comprising of the title track, a few other standouts like ‘Landslide’, ‘People of God’ and ‘I Will Worship’, alongside a re-recorded version of Erik’s chart-topping hit, ‘Faithful’. While it has been some time since Erik Nieder releases, this 10 track album feels like he’s never left the music space, as these new songs (although one is technically years old) fast become some of my favourite worship songs of 2023 thus far. Who knows…maybe Erik’s music can rival Phil in terms of personal preference, in a few months to come?
‘Faithful’ was initially recorded and released in 2017 (my review of the song can be seen here), and this new reimagining is still equally, compelling, emotive, and poignant. While not really much deviating from the original version, Erik still delivers Biblical truth and grounded encouragement. The song itself stands as a testament to Erik, and how he, I reckon is perhaps the most underrated songwriter of ‘modern hymns’ I’ve heard in my generation. Period. That’s not to say that other songwriter-singers with a poetic edge like Bebo Norman, Jason Gray or the ever-reliable Andrew Peterson aren’t great, it’s just that Erik has this knack of creating hymn-like melodies, that each and every song is just as poignant and emotive as the one before. And this is certainly true of ‘Faithful’- the song encourages us to believe that ‘…even when I’m not, You’re faithful, even when I doubt, Your truth holds, even when I’m lost, You won’t let me go, when my heart is dry, Your grace flows, no matter where I run, I’m not far from hope, I may be weak but You’re able, even when I’m not, You’re faithful…’ …and with these beautiful lyrics, what else can be said? Fans of artists like Bebo, Jason or Andrew will enjoy the music by Erik, or even fans of more indie-style music (Paul Colman, Jadon Lavik, John Tibbs etc.), so I guess if fans of any of these artists aforementioned can sit back and listen to Erik’s music and be impacted, then I guess it’s no wonder why I firmly believe that Erik will travel far in this music industry. ‘Faithful’ is one of my favourite Erik Nieder songs ever and is one of my favourite songs on this 10 track album as well. ‘Miracle Maker’, also a powerful standout as well, was initially released as part of a double single (Miracle Maker + Faithful EP), a song where I initially thought it was a famous Delirious? worship melody, covered by Erik himself. The song itself is indeed an Erik Nieder single, as we see Erik proclaim from the outset that ‘…my God is a miracle maker…’, in a similar sentiment and theme to Delirious?’s namesake song.
Throughout the rest of the album, we see Erik deliver all-powerful and challenging songs that can hopefully be employed in various Sunday morning worship services in the upcoming weeks and months ahead. ‘Landslide’ comes in on the album at track #3 and is by far one of my favourite worship songs of Erik’s on this album. Putting on his ‘Mike Donehey’ voice, Erik proclaims that ‘…there is freedom in the name of Jesus Christ, in your presence, my soul is satisfied…’ as this corporate worship song reminds us of God’s love and mercy that covers us unequivocally, that His forgiveness rushes over us like a landslide as we know and believe that us declaring in victory, is a result of this. ‘People of God’ is a stirring and rousing anthem that collectively unites and unifies people of all walks, who call their church their spiritual home, as Erik uses words like ‘us’ and ‘we’ to combat and overcome this hyper-individualistic society we find ourselves living in. Erik also reminds us that ‘the Spirit alive in us’, implying that His presence and power resides in us- we don’t have to be afraid of things in life and situations and circumstances, because of His presence in His people of God, alone. ‘Jesus, The Treasure’ strips down the instrumentation a little bit, to present to listeners an acoustic guitar in the forefront, as we equate knowing Christ and being in His presence, to being sweeter than honey in everything that we do and say and act towards others, and investing our time, talent, and treasure into something that we know is going to last in the future.
‘I Will Worship’ is a corporate worship song that reminds me of something that someone like Chris Tomlin or Paul Baloche would write and record, as Erik powerfully reminds us that ‘…You are holy, all creation sings, You’re worthy of the highest praise, with all my heart, I will worship You always…’, whilst ‘Thank You (Famine or Feast)’ is a song of declaratory praise and thankfulness, as we give appreciation to the Lord, in all circumstances, even in famine or the feast, as the song suggests. ‘Only One Thing’ is a song almost straight out of something that Bethel Music would undertake, as Erik uses this song to allow people to dwell deeper into the presence of the Lord, as we seek and long for us to know Him more and more, something that can be undertake a lot, through ‘soaking’. The album is then rounded out ‘Your Glory, My Good’ and ‘’Better Story’- the former is a powerful assertion from Erik that if it’s for His glory, then it’s for our good, even if we may not see it in any capacity, at the time of the proclaiming; while the latter is a song co-written with Bethel’s Emmy Rose, and is a great reminder of surrender and trust unto the Lord in whatever we do and say. As Erik himself relays to us, ‘…one of my greatest struggles is surrendering my will and perceived control over ‘my life’ to the Sovereignty of God. I have hopes and dreams, and I believe I know what is best for my family and me, but in my 32 years, I slowly realized the Lord’s way often isn’t quite as I expected or planned. So Better Story was written as a simple reminder that the Lord’s will is better, even if I can’t see it yet. Even if it’s not what I thought was best, his way truly is the best. Psalm 139:16 says, ‘Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.’ Each of our days were already written by our Maker, the greatest storyteller of all, before even one of them came to be. And coming to grips with this truth leads to a beautiful, holy surrender. So no matter the valley, no matter disappointment or failure that you may be currently facing, you can rest in the truth of Philippians 1:6 ‘that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.’ His love really is writing a better story. He has the final word. And he is faithful to complete all that he has promised. ‘Better Story’ was written as a declaration to trust him, here and unto glory. A reminder that He loves us and He is for us. No trial is empty and no promise in vain because ‘He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Corinthians 15:57). And it’s often in the moments of disappointment, when the ‘plans’ unravel, that lead to a whole-hearted surrender. And it’s here, in these moments of surrender, where we learn the story He is writing is better than we could have ever asked or imagined…’
And so there it is…Miracle Maker. The songs present here on this album are some of the most emotive and encouraging I’ve heard, in terms of worship music, throughout 2023 as a whole, as the album itself cannot be denied its impact and encouragement for anyone who has listened thus far, myself included. A worship leader destined to be part of the next generation of worship songs in months and even years to come, Erik’s 10 track album is once again another reminder of how underrated he really is. Still, Erik is sure to be on the radar of music executives and record labels in the upcoming months (that’s if he wants to be signed)- but even if he doesn’t and still stays independent, his music will still have the power to reach far and wide. Well done Erik with these 10 songs. Can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for these tracks, in the upcoming years ahead.
3 songs to listen to: Miracle Maker, Better Story, Landslide
Score: 4.5/5
RIYL: Tenth Avenue North, Jars of Clay, Jadon Lavik, Nathan Tasker, Phil Wickham