Drive All Night Records

Release Date: December 31st 2023

Reviewed by: Joshua Andre

Needtobreathe– I Don’t Want To Worry (Single) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)

Track Listing:

1. I Don’t Want To Worry

Currently right now one of the most popular and respected bands in both Christian and mainstream media markets (probably according to both listeners and critics; and alongside bands and artists such as Switchfoot, Owl City, Lifehouse, Relient K, for KING & COUNTRY, and Skillet!), Needtobreathe are a band whom I have increasingly been actively following and listening to over the past few years, and have been respecting more and more. Branching out and recording plenty of songs specifically directed to the mainstream media, the South Carolina quintet comprised of lead singer Bear Rinehart, and good friends Seth, Tyler, Randall and Josh; with the five having wowed us again and again with their honest lyrics, catchy music and southern rock goodness, also providing us with plenty of inspiring and thought-provoking messages to ponder over as well.

With their most successful and critically acclaimed full length studio album HARD LOVE around about 8 years old (you can read my review here!), the 12 track collection of pop rock goodness showed us once again what a force Bear and co. are right now, and how they’re definitely a band to be reckoned with both now and into the future. Providing us songs that compel us to dwell upon and ponder the deep issues of life, there were plenty of songs that personally impacted and spoke to me, such as “Wasteland”, “Multiplied”, “Brother”, “Testify”, “Hard Love”, “The Heart”, “Happiness” and “Difference Maker”.. Fast forward to 2023, and here we are, blessed with another Needtobreathe release. Since that time in 2016, Bear’s brother Bo has left the band, and we’ve also been fortunate to hear new projects from the group, inclusive of Hard Cuts: Songs from the Hard Love Sessions, Forever On Your Side (Niles City Sound Sessions), and Acoustic Live Vol. 1. Three more studio albums eventuated (Out Of Body, Into The Mystery and CAVES), to much commercial and critical acclaim (all three are objectively and subjectively impressive in my own honest opinion, and Needtobreathe deserve all of the praise and accolades for these three albums alone!); but as we enter into 2024, the group released a long-ish EP- a ‘live’ project called CMT Campfire Sessions. I reviewed that EP (or album?) here; but I’d be remiss not to briefly mention the groups latest stand alone single “I Don’t Want To Worry”.

Hey y’all! Can’t believe 2023 has come and gone already. What a year it’s been…

We released our 9th record CAVES into the world and we really hope you’ve been enjoying it. It’s been so awesome hearing you sing these songs back to us each night on tour.

The CAVES project was such a special undertaking for us. Stepping away from a major label and releasing an independent record for the first time was a risk, but you all have embraced the music and given us the opportunity to share what we think is some of the best material we’ve done together. We can’t express how much we appreciate that we get to make music for a living, but even sweeter is that we have the best fans in the world who have been there for every step of this journey.

Right on the heels of the record, we set out on the CAVES World Tour, and you all showed up and showed out every night. We love to say our is built to go as hard as you wanna go, and you all went so hard every night! Thank you for believing in the magic of live music and meeting us every night with such energy and spirit. We don’t ever take for granted the fact that these shows wouldn’t mean anything unless you were there. So thank you for buying a ticket, showing up, and shouting at the top of your lungs each night.

And we’re not done yet…

As a special new year’s surprise, we are releasing a brand new song as our gift to you. “I Don’t Wanna Worry” is out now everywhere. We’ve had this song tucked away for a while now, but we’re so glad that we finally finally get to share it with y’all. It means a lot to us.

Thank you so much for all your support and letting us get to do what we love each and every day. We literally couldn’t do it without y’all.

Can’t wait to see you all again in the spring. Here’s to much more in 2024.

Is there not much more to say about Needtobreathe’s surprise new hit single? The pulsating, engaging and inspiring melody about living in the moment and not wanting to worry about the current here-and-now situation (because God has got everything under control!); Bear, Seth, Josh, Randall and Tyler have created a near-flawless masterpiece, and one that deserves to be listened to again and again! so as this song ties us over to the next studio album (Christmas album?), and as we ruminate over the group’s already inspiring and powerful melodies; let us be in awe of probably one of the most underrated rock bands ever. Needtobreathe is influential, just like contemporaries Switchfoot and Skillet; and if you need proof, just take a listen to their discography. Their body of work stands up for itself, and this is only a snapshot of what Bear and co. have done, and can do! Well done guys, I can’t wait to hear what’s in store for you all next!

Score: 5/5

RIYL: Colton Dixon, Daughtry, Switchfoot, Lifehouse, The Fray, One Republic, Skillet