Ian Yates To Release 7th Studio Album 'Kingdom'
Singer songwriter and worship leader, Ian Yates from Liverpool UK, releases 'Kingdom', his 7th full length studio album, on 11th October. The album features guest musicians including Stu G on guitars (Delirious, Michael W Smith), and Mark Edwards on keys (Paul Weller, Katie Melua). It will be available on all digital platforms and in Dolby Atmos and Spacial audio on Apple Music, Tidal and Amazon Music.
Yates says, "In an interview about the Psalms with Bono, Eugene Peterson says ‘we need to find a way to cuss without cussing’. I think this is what this project is.
Several things have shaped me in this last season - including the writings of Henri Nouwen, Malcolm Duncan’s book ‘Flipped’, the many writings of NT Wright and a deep dive into the scripture on ‘what is the Kingdom of God’
In my last project (Between the Joy and the Sorrow) I had a song called ‘What does it mean to follow Jesus?’ This question led me to look more at what the kingdom of God is.
I have had to have a hard look at myself and ask these questions :-
Am I seeking the kingdom of God or my own kingdom?
Am I living for the kingdom of God or myself
Am I trying to build a ministry and a fan base?
Am I trying to be relevant, spectacular, cool?
Am I trying to wow people?
Am I trying to Impress?
Am I trying to Influence?
What am I building?
This project has been about repentance, metanoia, change, lament and the beauty of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom where everyone is welcome, the first are last, the lost are found, the poor are rich and the weak are strong. The kingdom where the small is significant and the hidden is seen. The kingdom where the King of Kings was born in a stable and died on a cross. The kingdom that is not like the world.
Yates teams up once again with producer Trevor Michael (Snow Patrol, Jacob Collier, Matt Redman) as they mix elements of The 1975, Imagine Dragons and The War On Drugs with honest lyrics and passion. They are joined by former Delirious guitarist Stu G, Reuben Harsant on drums, Mark Prentice on bass and Mark Edwards (Katie Melua, Aztec Camera, Paul Weller) on keys.
These songs were written over a 4-year period and born out a deep dive and study on the Kingdom of God. It’s sparked many conversations with people about the theme and the current state of things across the world.
Yates says ‘I hope these songs and my story encourages people, helps them and provokes them to ask what am I building? Am I living for the Kingdom of God or am I living for myself ?"
Ian is a Christian worship leader and songwriter from Liverpool, UK. He leads musical worship at his home church Bootle Elim and is part of Elim Sound, the national worship department for the Elim movement. Ian is married to Kate, they have 3 young children, Jackson, Elijah and Abiah.
His 2014 album DNA reached number 5 in the Official UK Christian Chart and won contemporary album of the year in NFN’s annual awards. In 2015 he co-wrote the song ‘No Longer I’ with 2-time Grammy winner Matt Redman which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London on Redman’s ‘Unbroken Praise’ album. In 2016 his song ‘Highwire’ reached number 1 in the UK Christian ‘AStep Fwrd’ chart. His 2020 album ‘Mystery’ was received with glowing reviews and his song ’Loved By You’ from that album has been streamed well over two million times.
Ian's sixth studio album ‘Between The Joy And The Sorrow’ was released in 2 parts. Part 1 dropped on June 24th 2022 with part 2 following on September 30th the same year. The album gained favourable reviews and the song 'God You've Never Failed Me' was added to playlists across the USA on Christian radio, whilst the title track received airplay on BBC Music Introducing.
His songs have gained placements on many official Apple Music, Tidal and Pandora playlists as well as over 41,000 Spotify playlists including Spotify's own New Music Friday Christian, Calming Christian, Indie Spirit and Ultimate Christian Alternative. He has received radio airplay across his native UK as well as Europe, USA, Canada, South America, and Australia, proving himself to be one of the finest artists and songwriters in the present UK Christian and Gospel music scene.
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