I Love Jesus
Label: Sparrow Records
Release Date: October 25th 2024 (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Like It’s Nothing
- I Love Jesus
- The Giver
- Who The Cross Is For
- Good News
- Keep On Keepin’ On
- Go To My Grave
- Live Like Jesus
- Nothing But Good
- The 99
- My Good
Initial thoughts: The follow-up to Mac’s ‘debut’ album as a solo artist in New Creation (he previously released Mac Powell, Southpaw and Back Again while still in Third Day!); I Love Jesus is full of southern-gospel goodness. If you’re a Christian and haven’t heard of Third Day…well I’m not even going to finish that statement, because I reckon you probably have heard of the band. One listen to Mac’s signature voice, and you’ll know what I mean. And plenty of the group’s hit singles have been sung in churches everywhere (particularly “King Of Glory” and “My Hope Is You”, at least for the church I attended back in the day!), so I reckon that one way or another, you would have definitely come across at least one, if not some, of Third Day’s songs. You may not connect with Mac’s lower pitched, gravelly, southern voice, but I for one welcome it gladly as it gives the band an added dimension that makes them all the more real and unique. Third Day has made a big impact on Christian music, period, and they have shaped my walk with Jesus incredibly; as so any music from Mac will automatically garner a listen from myself. Personally though, this project isn’t as engaging as New Creation; but as a Third Day lover, I Love Jesus still is solid and somewhat engaging, even though a number of songs have that ‘CCM’ and ‘radio friendly’ feel and atmosphere.
Reason to listen: If you miss Third Day and love Mac’s solo work. And if you can’t get to a Third Day reunion show this year. Or even if you can!
Reason to buy: I personally wouldn’t buy this album. It’s not engaging enough, though it’s solid enough, so I’d say only purchase if you’re a die-hard fan and if it’s selling for cheap!
Reason to skip: If you detest Mac’s deep voice. If you don’t like CCM. But seriously, there’ll definitely be a song or two you’ll definitely enjoy!
No. of singles and radio-friendly melodies/fan favourites: 4 (Like It’s Nothing, I Love Jesus, Good News, The 99).
Is the album relevant and relatable in 2026 (2 years out!)? Why/why not?: Too early to tell. Perhaps. MercyMe, for King & Country, Katy Nichole, Leanna Crawford, Forrest Frank, TobyMac and Josiah Queen are tearing up CCM right now- Mac Powell less so. And thus, perhaps you’ll only find out about Mac’s longevity here in about 2-3 more years. It’s somewhat of a worship album through and through though; so I Love Jesus is still relevant this year in that sense.
No of guest artists: None, does Mac even need any with his distinct voice?
Does it have heart?: Though the album does seem a tad short in duration as well as number of tracks (a mere 11 songs for 40 minutes!); what the album has going for it in its favour, is an incredible and gigantic sense of sentimentality and nostalgia- because anyone who has ever been a fan of Third Day will love most (if not, some) of the album, or anyone who is just a fan of 1990s and 2000s CCM in general. Mac’s passion is undeniable, and therefore I can say unequivocally that this project does indeed have heart!
Does it have replay value: I love Third Day and I believe every Third Day album has repeat value. But this album… I think every 2-3 months is ok. Not every 2-3 days or every week though!
Uniqueness?: It sounds so much like Third Day had never left. Yes it’s unique as I don’t think there’s any CCM/worship music in 2026 like it. But for fans of Third Day, this project isn’t unique at all- albums like Third Day’s Wherever You Are or Move hit harder and are much more distinctive!
Timeless message for today? A message for the time of release in 2024?: The album released 2 years ago. And so, the message for release in 20204 and for now in 2026 is the same. It’s a worship album describing how much Mac loves Jesus, and it’s a vertical worship message of love, devotion, surrendering and unequivocally outlining how much you want to praise Him and sing out how good He is. In that respect, this message is timeless. But we have so many CCM/worship albums and this one may get lost in the shuffle. Message-wise, this is good, but the delivery may feel slightly lacking.
Closing thoughts: There’s no doubt about it- people will have mixed feelings about I Love Jesus, just like with any solo artist who has departed from a band. Some will welcome this tonal, stylistic, and thematic shift, while others may still long for the things of Third Day; and will bypass this album altogether. Where this album though plays it right, is where Mac does what he does best- songs that represent his own faith deep down, presented with a backdrop of stripped-back instrumentation to showcase a side of him that isn’t necessarily ‘Third Day’, but still representative of what Third Day stood for, spiritually, morally, ethically, and wholeheartedly. Yes, it may take some time (and a few listens from start to finish) to enjoy this album fully (because this is NOT a rock album like we’re used to!), but once we do, we can realise and understand that this is Mac Powell’s music career Part 2, and maybe, just maybe, there could be another 10 + years in him yet.
3 songs to listen to: Who The Cross Is For, Live Like Jesus, My Good
Overall rating: 3.5/5
Yes/no; why/why not?: Yes for listening if you’re a die-hard fan of Third Day. Yes for listening in the background if you’re a casual fan. And no for any other reason where you dislike Mac for whatever reason.
RIYL: Third Day, Matt Maher, Matthew West, MercyMe, Casting Crowns