HHM Records
Release Date: February 23rd 2018
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Newsong– Bright (Single) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Bright
If you guys haven’t heard about Newsong by now, then I won’t write any more paragraphs on a ‘long-ish intro’ like the previous reviews. Instead I’ll direct you to the reviews of “Down” and “I Am A Christian”, for you to read how the band has been in and around the CCM industry for more than 30 years. So before you dive in and read about how the band’s latest single “Bright” has resonated in my own life, skim through the intros on the previous reviews. Done that? Good! Now that you’re up to date with the band and how they’ve created countless albums, are still hosting Winterjam every year, and seem to have no plans of slowing down, even though they’re all in their late 50’s/early 60’s… it’s time to see how “Bright” fares to other hit CCM songs in 2018.
First things first, let’s get it out of the way that “Bright” is more CCM and ballad-ish than most other recent Newsong songs. And that’s maybe a good thing, as we are glimpsed into the Newsong of old, with the melody being led by stirring keys and rousing guitars. As we are reassured that ‘…even when I’m walking through the very darkest night, I won’t worry about tomorrow, I know my future’s bright…’, this feel good anthem of confidence in our faith provides us with hope and a light in the darkest of places, as we remember of our security and promise of eternal life in Jesus. While our situations here on Earth sometimes may not be ideal, we do not have to worry at all- because with Jesus our future is indeed bright! A refreshing concept which, is deifnitley needed in today’s society; Newsong’s “Bright” gives us a reason to wake up each day, as we can rely on Jesus Christ to have our back, and be in our corner always.
While 2013’s Swallow The Ocean may not be the most lyrically creative or musically challenging album out, and 2015’s Faithful is in another category all together, with the worship anthems are probably some of my favourite worship songs of 2015; “I Am A Christian” is the band at their brilliant best- it’s great to hear Matt, Russ and Billy sing songs and reinvent themselves over the years, and evolving their style to stay relevant, yet also never wavering in their faith and their heavily Bible based lyrics. “Down” is a sadly a step down into ‘CCM sameness’ if you want to call it that, yet “Bright” recaptures why I reckon Newsong is still relevant in today’s society. One of my favourite songs of 2018 thus far, “Bright” more or less makes me excited to hear what is next from Newsong. Well done guys, and I can’t wait to hear your next new song! (see what I did there!)
Score: 4/5
RIYL: Jason Crabb, Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, Phillips Craig And Dean, Steven Curtis Chapman