An Album Autobiography| Posted October 09, 2023 What You Need To Know Kirk Franklin is currently in the beginning leg of The Reunion Tour with Israel Houghton, Tye Tribbett, David and Tamela Mann and The Clark Sisters. People are raving about this tour, and the excitement is real. Three months ago, Kirk was in the middle of working on a new album when he was hit with some of the worst news in his life. The man he knew as his father was one whom he saw only sporadically. Fast forward to a few months ago when Kirk found out that his "father" was not actually his father, but a man who had been living ten minutes from Kirk for years. This gutted Kirk, leaving him with more questions than before. He has often spoke about being insecure due to not being raised by either of his parents. Parts of this ordeal was captured in a documentary on YouTube.
Purposeful in the title, Father's Day, Kirk is back with a new album. This time, he is navigating through this process and getting to know his real father. He also did this mostly without his musical director and co-producer, Shaun Martin. This album is a very personal one for him.
What It Sounds Like This ten track album falls in line with other Kirk records, especially the last few releases. These are well-written and arranged songs that will tug at the heart strings. Insert the ballad, "Listen." This songs starts off with the ladies beautifully singing in unison, accompanied by Justin Savage on piano. "God of the stars, can you silence the storm deep in me right now/Relight my fire/That warm embrace has ended/You, I can't keep up with You/Help me know what's true/Lies have become believeable/I don't what else I can say/So maybe it's better this way if I just listen." This dialogue in song has the men come in, portraying God singing back to a person who has poured out their heart to Him. "Try Love" is a vibe with nice programming, courtesy of Max Stark and Devin Morrison. I was a bit confused with the interpolation of Lisa Stansfield's "Been Around the World," but the transition back into the "Try Love" was dope. Spiritual Highlights This is an album that shows a Kirk Franklin who is strongly reaching for God to help him during a time where he is very vulnerable. "Needs" is a prayer longing for God above all noise, misguided wants, and failed actions made without Him. It is a song of desparation, captured greatly by the singers Melodie Pace (Rose), Jazmin Crumley, JoJo Martin, Isaac Carree, Ariel Campbell, and more.
"Again" features an all-star lineup of singers: Chandler Moore, Tori Kelly, Jonathan McReynolds, and Jekayln Carr. Each singer interprets the lyrics, assuring that they may not know how God will come through in their lives, but they are confident that He will come through again. His track record is flawless. Kelontae Gavin and Miranda Curtis round it out with the strong reprise, "Again and Again." Kirk ends the song singing and you can tell he's broken, but hanging onto God with the thread of Faith.
Best Song "You Still Love Us" is my jam. Even in the midst of me jamming to the rhythmic arrangments and the staccato vocals, the lyrics stand out being that they are so relatable. When you hear, "I mess up, I/Fall short, I/Fail often, but/God, You love us/", serves as another reminder of that unconditional love we receive from God.
Bottom Line Father's Day is an album that Kirk needed to make. As he is processing all that has happened, he is still ministering to many. Several who have been adopted have also commented about their own journey and how they can relate to what Kirk Franklin is going through. Even through all of this, Kirk has still brought another solid album! Listen to Father's Day on Apple Music and Spotify
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