The sharp ears at Centricity Records are responsible for some of the brightest new pop sounds at the Christian music table, including Downhere, Jaime Jamgochian, and Circleslide. They continue the trend with new artist Jason Gray. His warm pop approach offers not only sonically pleasing songs sure to draw in many new listeners, but his songs are imbued with deeply meaningful insights, some of which are desperately needed by the current music culture. Both spiritually and musically vital, Jason Gray’s songs have the potential to make a significant impact in the lives of those who are really listening. A lot to expect of an album? I don’t think so; not from an artist as grounded as Gray seems to be.
“All the Lovely Losers” isn’t due out until March 6th, so I won’t cover the album in its entirety here. But single “Blessed Be” is already on the air, so let’s look at that one first. The melodic beatitude features guest artist Joel Hanson, of PFR fame, but it is Gray’s vocals that stick out first on the upbeat Brit-rocker, for his wide range and remarkable powers of expression. He sounds quite a bit like Downhere’s Marc Martel actually, his voice soaring over the string-rich arrangements.
But it’s the song’s encouraging message that really snags your attention. It’s written to those who “never thought you’d hear your name…. the ones who know that they are weak/ they shall see the Kingdom come to the broken ones.” We’re the ones who KNOW we need it, badly, and Gray is one of us. It’s the central theme running throughout the project: brokenness. Gray knows a lot about brokenness, as his parents divorced when he was young. Growing up with an abusive stepfather, he developed a stutter that he still has to this day. Gray’s experience, and the theme of his uplifting and intimate new album, is that brokenness becomes strength when we turn it over to God. Good, good stuff.
The shimmering guitars and airborne vocals of the next track, “Sing Through Me,” continue the magic, pleading for Presence and Power through the weariness of the daily battle. “Stir the tigers in my blood/ fan a flame inside me”; a potent image, as powerfully evocative as the pumping rhythms that contain it. I found great encouragement in Jason Gray’s new “All the Lovely Losers,” and I look forward to reporting more on the rest of the album next month. But to bottom-line it? Mark your calendar now for March 6th, and make room for Jason Gray. Especially if you’re interested in growing.
