Capitol Christian Music Group
Release Date: November 10th 2023
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
TobyMac– Christmas Hits Different (feat. Tasha Layton) [Single] (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Christmas Hits Different (feat. Tasha Layton)
TobyMac, one third of the revolutionary CCM rock band dcTalk, branched out on his own since the early 2000’s- and the rest is history. Sometimes I think that TobyMac isn’t even human. Maybe he’s an alien or a robot? How else could he accomplish so much in the CCM industry (multiple Grammy and Dove awards, plenty of number 1 singles, and tons more relatable and inspiring melodies) and also still stay so grounded in a music market that is becoming more and more cutthroat and fickle-minded, while at the same time having a constant sound and relevant material for people of all ages and all belief systems? On a more serious note, TobyMac is only 59, and with many recognisable songs such as “City On Our Knees”, “Made To Love”, “Lose My Soul”, “Tonight”, “Me Without You”, “Get Back Up”, “Speak Life”, “Love Broke Thru”, “Feel It”, “Beyond Me”, “Move (Keep Walkin’)”, “Burn For You”, “Gone”, “Atmosphere”, “Everything” and “i just need u.”; the pop/rap extraordinaire recently unveiled his most ambitious and daring project yet. After recording a plethora of singles in 2020 and 2021, in “21 Years”, “I’m Sorry (A Lament)”, “Help Is On The Way”, and “Promised Land”, Toby has unveiled to us Life After Death, an album inspired by his son’s death, and with plenty of guest vocalists as Toby and friends remind us of the transient nature of life and also about the everlasting hope and peace and joy we can find in Jesus, who will make us whole in His own timing.
A cathartic and therapeutic album in every sense of the word, Toby released Life After Death to critical acclaim, with the album being nominated for a Grammy Award last year. Jon reviewed the explosive and refreshing album here; and so you can peruse the review at your own leisure if you want to. But now, since it’s coming up to Christmas in a few days; let’s dive deep, but maybe briefly, into Toby’s brand new Christmas single. “Christmas Hits Different” features Tasha Layton, and reminds us that when you’re sad on Christmas, you’re definitely not alone! Sad? On Christmas Day or Eve? Impossible, you say! But… it is possible. This song, 3 years in the making, was a song originally intended to be a therapeutic and healing type of thing as Toby learnt how to deal with his feelings around Christmas surrounding his son’s death. And as such, Christmas can be lonely for some of us. We can be alone, and we can see everyone around us, whether they are friends, co-workers, acquaintances, strangers; we see everyone around us with large, big families, with exquisite and grandiose traditions, with big and happy smiles on their faces… and we feel sad and angry and maybe hurtful and sometimes we can curse God, all because Christmas ‘hits different’ this year. And as a song, it may be a bitter pill to swallow for someone going through the deepest and darkest valley, but Toby reminds us in this song that he relates to the people going through immense trial and tribulations. But the song doesn’t stop there, by saying ‘yes, I relate to you, so you can stay in your stupor and go ‘woe is me’ for the rest of your life’. Instead, the promise of Jesus and the eternal life He brings and the relationship He offers is present near the end of the song, and that’s what makes this song all the more hopeful and inspiring and encouraging. Sure we can be sad, and it’s ok to be sad for a while. But Jesus is alive, and He has conquered the grave, and He can comfort and He can provide us with shelter and a solace from the storms raging in our lives. This song says that we can wallow for a while. But we cannot stay there if we want to move forward in our lives. Yes, there will be pain. But let’s give it over to Jesus, and remember that in time, the hurt will lessen, and that in light of eternity, our struggles and our pain a infinitesimal and His glory and our good will be realised in the end.
Even though TobyMac has time and time again released plenty of high-quality albums- with Life After Death, The Elements, This Is Not A Test, Eye On It, Tonight, and Portable Sounds being the projects that have made it big for him – not to mention the live recordings of Alive & Transported and Hits Deep Live as well; calls for TobyMac to stop doing solo music and reunite formally with dc Talk remain, and become louder by the day. Especially since dc talk reunited for their cruise in 2017 and in 2019- however as of this point, I believe Toby is doing what God has called him to do, and right now that’s solo music. In fact, I reckon Toby will keep doing music for the foreseeable future, and maybe longer. Musicians and artists do not retire, as each person still has much more to say; but rather they keep going until they feel and believe that they have said enough and don’t need to say anything else. For Toby though, this Christmas melody reminds us that Toby has so much left to say, and that his best probably hasn’t even been made yet. As long as he still inspires and encourages us with his music, I daresay TobyMac will continue for a while yet. So for the doubters… trust me- listen to Life After Death, and then listen to “Christmas Hits Different”. Then, be amazed at Toby’s song-writing and singing and performing prowess! Well done Toby- I can’t wait to hear more of what God is doing in your life.
Score: 5/5
RIYL: Switchfoot, Britt Nicole, Lecrae, GAWVI, Tauren Wells, Tenth Avenue North