Their story makes it easy to believe in the gentle hand of divine providence, 21st century-style. Leader singer/guitarist Josh Havens and guitarist Matt Fuqua worked in a Texas Starbucks and happened to pick up their guitars on the day when a young woman named Cara who was in charge of coordinating the music for a local mission conference happened to be in the cafe. She invited them to play at the conference and the Afters are now in their seventh year of music ministry. And oh yeah, did I mention that Havens married Cara? They then went on to impress MercyMe's Bart Millard, to the point where he made them the first band signed to his new label, Simple Records. Uh huh, well, this project, their major-label debut, is bathed in that same touch of divine sweetness, from the vertically inspired lyrics to the hook-rich melodies. And if that wasn't enough, the whole thing rocks.
Opener "Beautiful Love" sets the vertical tone immediately with a surge of pounding rhythms and sparkling guitars offset by Havens' ardent tribute to sacrificial love. The café woman, Cara, was away on a missions strip shortly after their wedding, leading Havens to consider the power of love offered up. This theme runs throughout "I Wish We All Could Win," as the rock quartet examines divine love poured out in daily life. The exhilarating "Until the World" continues in the same pounding vein, its wildly hooky chorus overflowing with both honesty and promise.
But the Afters take things to the next level with the inclusion of violins, viola and cello, creating swirling soundscapes that bring Switchfoot and at times even the Beatles White Album to mind, with their utopian rock visions (the dreamy "Love Lead Me On"). Things slow down for the melodic worship track "All That I Am," giving Haven's warm vocals a chance to roam freely. Another beautifully arranged worship track stands out as well, the shining "You." Don't miss the sweetly sensitive cello work. The rock chords of the ambient "Love Will Make You Beautiful" are as encouraging as the lovely lyrics.
The project closes out powerfully, with the acoustic charmer "Wait," one of their older songs. The simple song is moving and uplifting, very White Album with its string section moving in and out and the stirring message expressed so emotively. Closer "Thank God I'm Not the One" is nothing short of stunning, its vulnerable confessions grabbing you by the throat and wrestling you to your knees. Makes you understand exactly what was going on seven years ago in that Starbucks. The Afters make me thankful for divine providence all over again, and for all the right reasons.
Related Articles
Downhere, Wide-eyed & Mystified
