Provident Label Group / Essential Records
Release Date: July 19th 2024 / August 30th 2024 / September 27th 2024 / January 31st 2025
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Zach Williams – Grave Robber / God Can Use A Broken Man / Friend In High Places / Jesus Loves (Single) (Amazon mp3/iTunes) (Amazon mp3/iTunes) (Amazon mp3/iTunes) (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Grave Robber (with Crowder)
- God Can Use A Broken Man (with Jason Crabb and Trace Adkins)
- Friend In High Places
- Jesus Loves
Zach Williams, one of the most inspiring, thought-provoking, comforting, confronting and powerful CCM artists currently, is an artist that wears his heart on his sleeve. An incredibly honest and vulnerable artist; I wrote about Zach in my blog series about him a number of years ago, while we as a site have reviewed plenty of his albums. Zach’s big booming presence in the CCM industry is one of the bright spots and one of the more hard-hitting and poignant artists that I have heard within the past few years. And while you all can read my blog to know the ins and outs of how Zach came to fame and how he came to be in the Christian music industry; let me just say that with a discography that includes hit songs like “Chain Breaker”, “Rescue Story”, as well as the smash hit single and award winning “There Was Jesus” with Dolly Parton… Zach’s stardom will only rise, and rise further quite exponentially in my opinion. My brother Jon has reviewed Zach’s two albums Chain Breaker (here) and Rescue Story (here)– and so for me to divulge more into Zach’s history would be pointless in this ‘review’ of sorts. Zach also released his deluxe edition of Rescue Story as well as his Christmas album in 2021. An EP titled Survivor: Live From Harding Prison also released, full of songs and stories that have been recorded when Zach was invited to sing a few songs and share his testimony for people inside Harding Prison. Fast-forward to 2024, and Zach has indeed once again delivered yet another powerful album for us to listen to. The deluxe edition of his 2022 album A Hundred Highways unveiled in February last year (with a mere 2 tracks added!); and as Jon wrote his ‘review’ of A Hundred Highways in 2023 (around a year late!); there’s still no denying Zach’s immense heart for Jesus and his passion and zeal for life itself.
Sadly, I agree with everything Jon has said in his review about the standard version of Zach Williams’s new album, and I mentioned this much in my ‘review’ of the deluxe edition. It’s solid nonetheless, but probably pointless. And as I mentioned, with repetitive and cliched lyrics, it seems from the outside that Zach is going through the motions here, even when I know he isn’t. However, if this album resonates with you, then that’s more than fine- and perhaps cherry-picking songs is best to do here in this scenario?
But since that time, Zach is back to what he does best. “Grave Robber”, a testimony-style country/rock/southern gospel/hybrid worship anthem, and a song with Crowder, is undoubtedly one of Crowder’s most ambitious yet resounding and engaging musical and worshipful anthems in recent memory. As Crowder and Zach both outline that Jesus has saved his life and that now he’ll never be the same again; the gospel is preached in full force, and kudos needs to be given to Crowder for not watering down what Jesus has done for all of us: ‘…I got stolen by the grave robber, picked me up from that rock bottom, washed my soul in that holy water, brought me back to life, one more stone rolled away, one more sinner been saved by grace, this dead man, he ain’t dead no longer, all because of that grave robber…’. Usually, we think of a grave robber as being a ‘bad’ person. But in the case of Jesus giving us freedom and bringing us new life… well, Jesus is the ultimate superhero and the One we can rely on most. “God Can Use A Broken Man”, originally a melody by Jason Crabb, but this time sung with Zach and country star Trace Adkins, is a powerful piano led ballad, and speaks about Jesus using even the most broken of people to bring others to Him, and to show us all how faithful He is at turning lives around. Jesus is not looking for the most accomplished or most eloquent. He’s just looking for the most eager and willing, and once we fully understand that concept, we can look forward to the future, and for the great things God has in store for us and our future.
I’ve been playing this song live on tour for the last few weeks with a great response, and I’m ready for the rest of the world to hear it. “Friend In High Places” speaks to the broken parts of my own story and the unending grace I’ve found in Jesus. My hope is that when you listen to it, you’re reminded that you have a Savior who sees you, loves you, and is willing to step in and erase the mistakes of the past. “Friend In High Places”, a heartfelt, country-esque ballad, highlights the reality that we all can embrace and lean on- that we do have a friend in ‘high places’ whenever we need Him, and that friend is Jesus- we don’t deserve His grace and forgiveness but He offers it freely to us anyway because He loves us. While “Jesus Loves”, Zach’s most recent single and lead single from his currently unnamed new album set to release later this year, doubles down on the previous theme of Jesus loving us and always being in our corner, as Zach recounts that ‘Jesus Loves’ is a reminder of the grace and love that Jesus Christ has for each and every one of us, no matter where you are or what you’ve done. You are loved and accepted just the way you are.
And so, these 4 melodies post-A Hundred Highways, speaks about God’s love for us all, and is a brilliant reminder to never waver from your faith despite the hardships you may face, because God has us in the palm of His hands, and that is infinitely reassuring. And as we anticipate ach Williams’s new album, I will leave you all with this quote from my “Heart Of God” review for you to ponder over, and let us remember that ‘…I do love CCM as a whole, but Zach’s song from his upcoming studio album, gives us an extra kick, and the fact that it delivers a great and inspiring message is pretty cool, as well. For Zach Williams, the sky is the limit- and “Heart Of God” further solidifies his place in the CCM industry, and perhaps in mainstream media…’
Score: 5/5
RIYL: Casting Crowns, needtobreathe, Third Day, Walker Hayes, Blake Shelton