Reviewed by Martin I Smith

Matt Papa's 'This Changes Everything' is a creative pop-rock record that is resolute in its spiritual convictions. The opener "Our Sovereign God" packs synths, keys and flashy rock drum-beats over the proudly declared manifesto, "our Lord, he reigns." The record progresses in like fashion, ever catchy, always bold and dashed with enough quirkiness to prevent too straight a journey. Highlight is the almost 7 minute long "The Glory of God", an epic that fulfils the climax of the record's momentum, ending with chants and a sample of John Piper preaching, heart laid-bare, on the weighty theme of the song's title. The thorough-going emphasis on the victory of Christ is counter-balanced at crucial junctions with moments of engagement with the sufferings of the present age, most notably, "O Fount of Love" which confronts the experiential aspect of the "problem of evil." A comment on the album's title is however irresistible; it's clearly not meant to be self-referential, but were the record a scene-shaker we might think the name especially appropriate. 'This Changes Everything' isn't that sort of album, but it's a solid release nonetheless and one that should see this North Carolina-based minister's popularity increase.

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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