Music review: Kanye West 鈥� 鈥楯esus Is King鈥�
Kanye West gets closer to God with his ninth album. 鈥淛esus Is King鈥� details West鈥檚 spiritual awakening and reliance on a higher power.
Fronted by West鈥檚 Sunday Service choir, 鈥淓very Hour鈥� is the spirited opener that gloriously sings the praises of living a life filled with God鈥檚 mighty works, grace and power.
On 鈥淪elah,鈥� the 42-year-old West confidently professes his faith and eternal salvation as he sings, 鈥淭o whom the Son set free is free indeed/He saved a wretch like me.鈥� It鈥檚 a simple declaration that serves as a humble reminder of the opportunity we all have to receive the eternal gift.
West details the struggles of living in a world of unlimited temptations and sin on 鈥淔ollow God.鈥� In an effort to live a spiritual existence, West proclaims his need for guidance and support by stretching out his hands in order to connect to God and become more Christlike.
Tracks like 鈥淥n God鈥� and 鈥淓verything We Need鈥� continue the theme of being equipped to meet every hardship and need through the blessings that freely flow from a spiritual rebirth.
Of the 11 songs featured on the new album, two specifically stand out to me with a sincere and impassioned message of being transformed into a greater being.
Joined by Ant Clemons and Sunday Service choir on 鈥淲ater,鈥� West addresses the cleansing rebirth experienced through baptism, making one as pure and innocent as a newborn by declaring, 鈥淵our love鈥檚 water/Pure as water/We are water.鈥�
鈥淕od Is鈥� perfectly embraces the true mood of the set by giving all the glory to God by declaring that God is the light in the darkness and the ever-flowing fountain that fills our cup with all that is good.
If you can get past the awkward Chick-fil-A reference showcased on 鈥淐losed on Sunday,鈥� listeners will be rewarded with West鈥檚 timely examination about how society has surrendered to cultural pressure to conduct business as usual seven days a week and no longer observe Sunday as a day of rest and reflection.
鈥淛esus Is Lord鈥� closes the album with West singing, 鈥淓very knee shall bow/Every tongue confess/Jesus is Lord.鈥� The final number is short and direct in reference to every believer鈥檚 call to spread the gospel message.
As with most West productions, 鈥淛esus Is King鈥� manages to encourage a diverse audience to the table. By making a bold statement about his faith and mission through his latest offering, West seeks to inspire others to do the same and serve as a witness to the world.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.