Independent
Release Date: November 18th 2022
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
NewSong– Christmas All Over The World (Single) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Christmas All Over The World
- One Holy Night
- Five Little Fingers Of God (feat. Francesca Battistelli)
If you guys haven’t heard about the ever-reliable veteran CCM band Newsong by now, then I won’t write any more paragraphs on a ‘long-ish intro’ like the many previous reviews I have previously written about them. I’ve written plenty of reviews of albums and singles from Newsong– 5 reviews of singles from 2018, as well as reviews of their 2016 Christmas album, their 2020 worship album, and of their 2015 live worship anthem- all of which you can view here!); so before you dive in and read about how the band’s latest EP Christmas All Over the World has resonated in my own life, you can first skim through the intros on the previous reviews. Ok, so have you all done that? Good! Now that you’re up to date with the band and how they’ve created countless albums, are still hosting Winter Jam 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 their latest release fares to other Christmas songs and albums in 2022.
First things first, Russ and the band have delivered 3 original songs full of Christmas cheer, joy, and overflowing Christmas spirit, as the band powerfully declare the truth of Jesus Christ and outline the real and true reason for the season. The energetic and dynamic poppy title track opens proceedings, with the melody being a simple yet effective outline of the fact that we can indeed celebrate the season because Jesus was born and that Jesus is being celebrated all over the world; while the reflective and contemplative ballad “One Holy Night” speaks about how Jesus ought to be praised because the world changed that holy night when Jesus was born. The short but punchy EP ends with the poignant and emotive track “Five Little Fingers Of God”, where Newsong and guest vocalist Francesca Battistelli powerfully relay to us that the five fingers of Jesus born in a manger were so tiny and vulnerable, but also so powerful and holy considering that Jesus is fully man and fully God at the same time.
While 2013’s Swallow The Ocean may not have been the most lyrically creative or musically challenging album out; plenty of songs from Just Jesus (their first all-new studio album in 7 years), especially “I Am A Christian”, is Newsong 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. And the same goes for their new Christmas EP, which carries on from the heart and intensity and honesty and vulnerability of their 2016 Christmas album. So while we wait for a brand new full length album, or EP, or whatever God is laying on their heart to do next; let us relax and be immersed in Newsong’s music- and if you haven’t heard of them, then now’s the perfect time to start! Well done guys, and I can’t wait to hear your next new song! (See what I did there?)
Score: 4/5
RIYL: Matthew West, Sidewalk Prophets, Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith, Tenth Avenue North