Main Review
Anthem Lights is not your ordinary pop group. Not only is their music awesomely rooted in Scripture with extremely catchy
music, this group is actually a vocal quartet! The amazing vocals from all four talented singers – Kyle, Caleb, Alan, and
Chad – will definitely leave you coming back for more of this outstanding pop!
The radio single “Can’t Shut Up” opens Anthem Light’s debut very strongly, with catchy fill-ins and full-fledge guitars, as
the group sings about shouting out all God has done for us. Especially enjoyable about this opening track were the
electronic fill-ins in the pre-chorus, plus its fullness: “This is why we get up and sing (we can’t shut up)/ We’ve Got
everything that we need (we can’t shut up)/ Love has come and now we are free/ we can’t shut up about it…)” Immediately
following, “I Wanna Know You Like That” is a bit stronger than the album’s opening track. Talking about David and “a
Pastor far away,” this inspiring track speaks of craving a stronger relationship with the Lord.
“Circles” and “Can’t Get Over You” follow as a slower set of songs, with more solemn lyrics. “Circles” talks about straying
from our firmness in the things of God and breaking our own heart in the process, while “Can’t Get Over You” is a
beautiful worship song asking God to take us closer. As a love song to God, it was a bit difficult at first to decipher the
direction of the track, but through the second verse, it’s obvious that Anthem Lights sings this love song to the Lord
because “I can’t get over the way Your love stays the same, Oh Lord.” This slower set of songs was entirely enjoyable,
and as always, the vocal variation was extremely enjoyable.
“Stranger” was an immediate sensation with its booming drums and pop sound, in this track about how the world is not
our home, stating “I won’t be home ‘til I’m with You.” Not slowing things down, “Outta My Mind” is very creative lyrically, as
Anthem Lights sings of how we exist for Jesus, not for ourselves: “Get me outta my mind and into Your heart/ it’s not about
me, it’s not about me/ so I’m gonna start playin’ my part in Your design/ now is the time/ get me outta my mind.”
The upbeat and harmonious “Lifeline” was enjoyable, while “Lighthouse” was probably the highlight of Anthem Light’s
debut project for me. Starting very seriously and haunting, the track suddenly explodes into dance pop that makes you get
up from your seat and sing along. Even with the extremely catchy pop, the lyrics of this track speak of shining your light so
that the whole world “can see the lighthouse and find their way back home.”
Beginning with whistling, “Freedom Into Slavery” speaks of how often we as Christians turn our freedom in Christ Jesus
into slavery, when there truly is no reason. The piercing bridge with the guitar riffs was very enjoyable in this hard-hitting
track. The slower, but still strong “Where the Light Is” is an encouragement to those who feel like they are lost in the dark
– that where the light of God is, darkness can’t stay: “Where the light is, darkness can’t be found/ where the Lord is,
darkness must be bound.” This track put an excellent ending to Anthem Light’s debut project.
Closing Thoughts
Honestly, I was blown away by Anthem Light’s debut project. Being a huge fan of dance pop, I immediately found this
album to hit the spot on my musical preferences. But the amazing vocals, inspiring and sometimes hard-hitting lyrics, and
the creativity made this project a perfect debut. I will definitely be looking forward to new music from Anthem Lights in the
future, and hope you will check out this awesome new band.
Review Written By: Jay Wright [jay.wright@christianmusicreview.org] on 7/12/2011
Follow CMR on Facebook | MySpace | Twitter | YouTube | Blogger
© 2004-2011 Christian Music Review. All rights reserved.
|
|
