Tauren Wells – Up (EP) | 365 Days Of Inspiring Media

Capitol Christian Music Group

Release Date: October 28th 2022

Reviewed by: Joshua Andre

Tauren Wells– Up – EP (Amazon mp3/iTunes)

Track Listing:

Up
Up (feat. Jimmie Allen)
Up (feat. Erica Campbell)
Up (Live From Red Rocks)

One of the most powerful, inspiring, joyous, moving, honest, emotional, and vulnerable artists that I have heard recently… is CCM pop singer and songwriter Tauren Wells. Originally a founding member of Royal Tailor, Tauren penned and sung the hit songs “Hold Me Together”, “Make A Move”, “Freefall”, “Remain”, “Ready Set Go”, “Got That Fire”, “Original”, and “Jesus Love”; amongst others. Since the band split though, Tauren has been making waves as a solo artist, wowing us all with his pop sensibilities and his poignant, heartfelt lyrics. Songs like “Until Grace”, “Hills And Valleys”, “Citizen Of Heaven”, “Undefeated”, “Fake It”, “Miracle”, “When We Pray”, “Empty”, “God’s Not Done With You”, “Hold Us Together”, “Come Home”, and “Echo”, to name a few; have been giving us a sense of vulnerability and honesty; as Tauren pours his heart out and graciously peels back the layers of his own heart in order to get real with God. Tauren has been nominated for many Grammy Awards and Dove Awards, and while he has released four albums which we reviewed here, here, here and here; Tauren has since continued on his journey with Capitol Christian Music Group- his brand new EP called Up.

Having released his latest album in June, Tauren has reimagined one of the songs from the project- “Up” was and is a favourite of mine, and now as it is the latest radio single, Tauren has released four versions of the song… although some might say that that is overkill. “Up”, a happy-go-lucky pop song that could easily find its way on mainstream radio, speaks about preserving through adversity and life’s troubles, as Tauren reminds us all, that we cannot give up in the face of hardship because we have so much of this life to live for- our friends, family and everyone in our lives who love us dearly. With Tauren contributing a live version of the track to this EP as well as a pop version (with Jimmie Allen) and a gospel version (with Mary Mary’s Erica Campbell); this EP (or 4-song single?) is one that will certainly bring a smile to our face and one that we’ll be dancing and toe-tapping to for many weeks and months to come.

Tauren Wells is an entertainer. He is a performer and a man with a heart for Jesus. He is a bonafide artist with a heart of gold and he is willing to proclaim the gospel to everyone he meets. Joy In The Morning may not be the longest in terms of duration. But it does have joy and it does bring us hope. That is probably all that we could ask for these days. We need an album to pick us up, and Tauren’s album is the one. It probably isn’t the album if you want theological correct doctrine. But since when do CCM artists need to be qualified in doctrinal issues? “Up” sounds like it belongs on ‘mainstream’ radio, and it certainly isn’t a ‘Christian’ song. For that reason, you all might boycott this song… but I say- give it a chance. Joy In The Morning, and especially this song, makes us feel joy at God being in our midst- and that is certainly a good thing. Well done Tauren for a stellar set of songs and well as a musically and thematically outstanding new single!

Both of these collaborations mean so much to me. I was singing Mary Mary songs in church growing up, so now knowing Erica and being able to hear her voice on my song is surreal and a great honor. I met Jimmie in Nashville 10 years ago or so, back when we were both in our bands trying to figure out how to make it. Being on the other side of that journey now and seeing the country staple he’s become is something I genuinely celebrate and I can’t believe we get to work together all these years later.