Cory Asbury - Reckless Love

Published Tuesday 23rd October 2018
Cory Asbury - Reckless Love
Cory Asbury - Reckless Love

STYLE: Pop
RATING 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 167730-27419
LABEL: Bethel Music 610877929580
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RELEASE DATE: 2018-01-26
RRP: £9.99

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

It was thrilling for the Cross Rhythms team to learn that the singer, songwriter and worship leader had been signed to Bethel Music, surely today's most important record label in the whole modern worship movement. Like Phil Wickham and John Mark McMillan, Cory was once an independent artist recording and releasing top rate music, ignored by most US radio stations. (Cross Rhythms with its policy of selecting playlist items purely on the strength of the songs and artist performances, and not taking into account record label publicity pushes, have been playing independent releases since it first began broadcasting.) So Wickham, McMillan and Asbury all got Cross Rhythms radio play when humble independents and Cory's 'Let Me See Your Eyes' album had six songs that made it onto the Cross Rhythms stations. That album showed what a master songsmith he is, not only able to pen brilliant songs but sing them in a voice that is at times mesmerising. To catch the full impact, listen to the final two songs on 'Reckless Love', "Born Again" and "Endless Alleluia". The emotional intensity and dazzling vocal technique, from a husky croak to a soaring falsetto, make him one of the best new singers ("new" in the Dove Awards use of the word) to have stepped into the Christian music big time for ages. "Water And Dust" is an Americana-tinged don't lose heart song; "You Won't Let Go" has the kind of repetitious chorus which sophisticated musical palates or would-be-poets may find irritating but is in fact a brilliant device in driving home the truth that our Lord Almighty will never, ever loosen his grip from our hands, while "Death Where Is Your Sting" is a solemn anthem with what sounds a lot like bagpipes in the wall of sound accompaniment which conveys so powerfully the eternal determination of the believer that I'm putting an instruction in my will that this surging anthem be played at my funeral. If you haven't yet picked up on the fact, Cory's "Reckless Love", written with Caleb Culver and Ran Jackson, has just been named Song Of The Year at the 2018 Doves. Truth be told they could have selected five or six others from this superlative album.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Product Description
Worship leader and songwriter Cory Asbury has crafted a powerful new album that marks his first release as a Bethel Music artist and his second full-length release to date. For Cory, the album is an organic, soulful journey into the heart of the Father, and certainly his most personal and honest yet. A collection of 10 songs, “Reckless Love” is a whole-hearted telling of an essential story in Scripture: a Father’s desire for connection with the ones he made, knows, and relentlessly loves. Known for his versatile and soulful sound, Cory’s vocals convey greater resolve and vulnerability than ever before throughout each of these acoustic-driven songs. In it’s entirety, “Reckless Love” is about finding identity in God and being found by Him- fully and finally. The album’s title track depicts the parable of the lost sheep found in Matthew 18 with contagious passion, “Oh the overwhelming never-ending reckless love of God / Oh it chases me down, fights ‘till I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine / I don’t deserve it / I couldn’t earn it, still You give yourself away…” Inspired by encounters with the Father’s love Asbury has experienced, together these songs testify of sonship, the liberty we have as children of God, and the pride that the Father has carried for humanity since the Garden. This album aims all of its attention toward the truth that the Father’s company is the best place be, and His voice is the most familiar one we know. “Reckless Love” is like unearthing a map that leads back home, and will take worshippers into a place of rest, peace and identity in the smile of the Father over their life.

Tracklist
Only Takes A Moment
You Won't Let Go
Endless
Reckless Love
Death Where Is Your Sting
Garments
Your Love Is Strong
Born Again
Water And Dust
Endless Alleluia

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