Who We Are: The Head Review| Posted October 22, 2020 What You Need To Know Fireflight'sWho We Are: The Head is Part 1 of their new, sixth studio album titled Who We Are: The Head and The Heart. There are five songs on each half. The album was recorded at The Ranch Studios, Josiah Prince's (Disciple) studio. The Head is focused more on our mental struggles and themes regarding our headspace.
What It Sounds Like
Fireflight is still female-fronted as the vast majority of the vocals are sung by Dawn Michele. She has incredible range, able to sing with beautifully relaxed vocals, and empowers listeners with high-range, anthemic choruses. On a more technical level, producer Josiah Prince adds plenty to the project. This has modern rock written all over it, plus some electronic influence. The music is tight and flows very well. Drumming is commanding and consistent, guitar work is high-energy, and the melodic elements such as piano, violin, and electronic bits, combine to create a great rock sound.
Spiritual Highlights
Fireflight's music has always been focused on biblical hope, love, and truth. Who We Are: The Head is no exception. Stylistically, the verses are often vulnerably honest and direct. Dawn sings lyrics that target our struggles and insecurities, only to strike them with encouragement. The first lyric of the album is exemplary of what to expect, "I'm on the edge tonight/to lonely headlights/I cannot sleep until I'm back home." The chorus is a breakthrough of hope with her singing "I'm coming back, no turning back/this fight's not over/I'm ready for more"
The second song, "Bang Bang," pleads with the listener with "do you pray for something better?/reaching up from the ground, but your hands are tied?" The lyrical shift from the previous song's self struggles to this one's struggles of others is creative. "Who We Are" is a call to action for Christians to be the love of the world. It's very upfront and bold with its challenge to us. I love the lyrical imagery in "How To Fly." The song is a cry out for God to help and save us in the depths of our struggles. The last song, "Keep Your Head Up," is the softest song, a ballad, with more piano and violin present. The song is written as a heartwarming encouragement from God to His children. Dawn sings this truth for us, "I can't say it's going to get easier/every day keep fighting to keep hope alive." And throughout the song, you hear the comforting line, "keep your head up my child."
Best Song
Anyone in need of encouragement in an amped-up rock song, "Bang Bang" is fantastic. The song is explosive straight right from the start, with an echo of the anthem, "are you ready?/let me hear you loud!" The lyrics on the opening verse is gripping and relatable. And as you are drawn in by those words, the challenging and encouraging chorus hits you with "this is no time to play it safe/your fate is yours to make/take back every dream you gave away." This song reminds me of the fan-favorite golden Unbreakable album era. There is a brief excellent guitar solo, the drums carry the energy of the song well, and the song is catchy.
Bottom Line
Fireflight's Who We Are: The Head is an excellent first part of the new album. The band does a great job of integrating electronic elements and new rock styles to bring a fresh, yet familiar album full of hope and encouragement. The first song is admittingly slow and does not set up expectations as well as it could, as the majority of the album is much more energetic. Fireflight proves why they are one of the most recognizable and respected Christian rock groups with The Head. Part 2 is coming in December 2020.