“Life Again” is Ryan Fonseca’s debut CD, recorded for the most part in his bedroom. No worries though, its production values are solid. In spite of performing all the writing duties, most of the vocals, and just about all of the instrumentation, Fonseca delivers a well-rounded project of sincere worship, most of it on the low key end. “Life Again,” with its quiet ballads, atmospheric electronic textures, and soothing pop orientation, lends itself nicely to introspective worship or meditation purposes. He really presses into the heart of God on a number of Scripture-driven tracks, which I like. The piano-driven “Trials” puts 1 Peter and Romans 8 into a sparkling melody line that really drives these passages home to your spirit. I found the powerful “Son, It’s Me” almost painful to listen to, for all the right reasons. Fonseca’s interpretation of God’s sorrow at our neglect is deeply moving.
Fonseca scatters interesting programming touches throughout, which add rich textural and rhythmic elements (the note-bending riffs of “Send Us Out” and the David Crowder-like bubbling of “Glorious Name”). Fonseca has a bent toward worshipful ballads, and he adds a nice slow burn to a few on “Life Again,” including “Everything I Need” and the deeply reverential “Save.”
I enjoyed the percolating pop of “I Come Thirsty,” as Fonseca pleads for more of God’s bountiful mercies. “Life Again” closes with one of the prettiest wedding songs I’ve heard in a while, the piano-driven “Vows.” “Life Again” shows us just how much a guy alone in his bedroom can accomplish these days with the right equipment and the right heart. And I didn’t even mention his liner notes confession of being in pajamas for most of it! Nicely done.
