Authenticity At Its Best
Posted March 26, 2019
By CaitlinLassiter_NRT, Staff Reviewer
What You Need To Know
A group that has more than made their mark on the CCM community since their 2016 debut, We Are Messengers has become known for their powerful live show, vulnerable ministry, and life-changing authenticity. Fronted by former The Remission Flow member Darren Mulligan, the desire to offer listeners something real has played a vital role in We Are Messengers' music from the very beginning. Three years after radio hit "Everything Comes Alive" shot them to an unexpected place as leaders in their genre, Darren and the crew are back with new music that declares God's healing, freedom, and nearness through an EP with a title that clearly states what their entire career has been about: being Honest.
What It Sounds Like
The bold pop/rock sound that quickly became signature for We Are Messengers is present in every bit of the six tracks on Honest. Energetic moments that will keep you moving make their appearance in the first notes of the opening title track, flowing over into rock-influenced "The Devil Is A Liar" and electronic-vibed "Gold and Glory." A We Are Messengers record wouldn't be complete without a few emotion-stirring ballads, and that's exactly what we get in the remaining half of the EP with laid-back "Abide," a heart-cry for intimacy with God, followed by a moving message to Darren's wife in "Wolves," and finally beautifully transparent lead single "Maybe It's Okay."
Spiritual Highlights
Everything about this EP points us back to the truth of scripture and a God who desires honesty in our relationships, both with Him ("Abide," "Maybe It's Okay") and with others ("Honest," "Wolves"). With bold challenges about choosing the glory of God over the treasures of this world ("Gold and Glory") and declarations that shed light on the enemy's schemes ("The Devil Is A Liar"), Honest captures the perfect balance of being personally relatable while still being vertically worshipful.
Best Song on the Album
For an EP carrying the title of Honest, "Maybe It's Okay" is everything the community of music-lovers longing for something boldly genuine needed it to be. A radio hit that's been impacting the lives of thousands of listeners since its release last fall, the song offers a safe space for people to admit that they are broken and hurting, backed by a chorus that promises the resounding truth of God's grace: "Maybe it's okay if I'm not okay 'cause the One who holds the world is holding onto me."
For Fans Of
Jordan Feliz, Unspoken, Tauren Wells
Final Word
For a Christian music culture that wrestles with vulnerability and desires something real in the songs they sing along with, Honest is authenticity at it's best. These six tracks are packed with the truths of Scripture and wrapped in encouragement for the weary listener who longs to be seen, heard, and ministered to. This EP goes above and beyond in accomplishing its mission to be Honest, and yet again proves that We Are Messengers are in a class of their own when it comes to crafting music that is both carefully genuine and creatively brilliant.
Buy Honest on Apple Music or stream it on Spotify. View All Music And Book Reviews By CaitlinLassiter_NRT | View CaitlinLassiter_NRT's Profile
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