Thousand Foot Krutch has always been a band that forges their own path, and their recent choice to record a dual album just confirms that fearlessness. "I had gotten the idea a few years back of having an album called 'Inhale' showcasing the lighter, quieter side of the band that's always been a part of our albums, allowing us the freedom to dig deeper into that than we have before. And then to have an album called Exhale that drops the gloves and dives even deeper into the aggressive side of the band," frontman Trevor McNevan explains of the creative choice. "We didn't get soft on the last one! I promise! It was always meant to be a two-part story."

With the second chapter of that two part story now available in Exhale, I began to think about what it could look like if the stylistic segregation was set aside. The two albums mesh together beautifully thematically, tracks from gentle Inhale serving as the perfect counterbalance for aggressive Exhale.

Below is my Oxygen: Inhale and Exhale master playlist, complete with the strongest tracks from each assembled into one coherent sonic journey.

Track 1: "Running With Giants"
This blistering lead single from Exhale is the perfect TFK album opener: intense and empowering, instantly establishing momentum.

Track 2: "Like A Machine"
One of Inhale's heavier offerings takes the kind of momentum laid down by "Running With Giants" and runs with it, matching the pace of the themes as well as the music.

Track 3: "Born This Way"
A declaration of confidence and freedom is the perfect way to follow up the last two aggressive tracks.

Track 4: "Off the Rails"
This track follows the high energy pacing of the previous three while introducing a slight edge of the uncontrolled.

Track 5: "Incomplete"
Here the frenzy begins to show hints of the fragile, the bold-faced confidence giving way to admission of flaws and internal challenges.

Track 6: "I See Red"
Here one of those internal flaws introduced in the last track takes the lead as "I See Red," a softer offering from Inhale, expresses the internal struggle that comes with addictions.

Track 7: "Push"
A rallying cry from Exhale serves as a battle cry to keep fighting our demons, be they internal or external.

Track 8: "In My Room"
For the middle of my playlist I've placed a prayer, an honest cry to God serving as the crux of both albums' themes.

Track 9: "Set Me On Fire"
Another softer track shows the way our spirits light up when they come in contact with our Creator.

Track 10: "Give Up the Ghost"
Of course things can't stay chill for long, and "Give Up the Ghost" crashes in with a declaration of the triumph of God's life over all our ghosts.

Track 11: "The River"
Fitting in perfectly with the redemptive thread, this creative rock and roll spiritual is what it would sound like if the classic choral piece "Down to the River to Pray" became a hard rock song.

Track 12: "Untraveled Road"
Every movement needs a mission statement, and this song serves as the mission statement and marching orders for the redeemed. 

Track 14: "Honest"
We all have our moments of insecurity and fear, even after we've been walking in the light for years, and this song captures some of that tension.

Track 15: "Born Again"
This track feels like a sequel to "Born This Way" from Inhale, and it's the perfect statement to create a full circle moment towards the end of this playlist.

Track 16: "Oxygen"
If there was a core message to both Inhale and Exhale, it would likely be that captured in this worshipful album closer: "You are my oxygen tonight, You keep me breathing / You fill me up, You give me life, and I can't believe it."
 
What would your ideal super playlist look like? Share in the comments!