1. Run Wild. (feat. Andy Mineo)
2. Prelude (Fix My Eyes)
3. Fix My Eyes
4. To The Dreamers
5. Shoulders
6. No Turning Back
7. Without You (feat. Courtney)
8. Long Live
9. Steady
10. Already Home
11. Matter
12. This is Love
13. Matter
14. It's Not Over Yet
15. O God Forgive Us
for King & Country - Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong.
I’ve been following For King & Country for a few years now. It’s been great watching them undergo the teething process of breaking into Christian music. They were always becoming. They toured with their sister, developed into Joel and Luke, and finally arrived: For King & Country. With this album 'Run Wild,Live Free.Love Strong' they’ve really settled into their identity as artists.
A couple of years ago, I sat down with Joel and Luke to talk music. Something unique about them was the diversity of topics that they wrote about, and at that point, they had written over 130 songs that... Read More I’ve been following For King & Country for a few years now. It’s been great watching them undergo the teething process of breaking into Christian music. They were always becoming. They toured with their sister, developed into Joel and Luke, and finally arrived: For King & Country. With this album 'Run Wild,Live Free.Love Strong' they’ve really settled into their identity as artists.
A couple of years ago, I sat down with Joel and Luke to talk music. Something unique about them was the diversity of topics that they wrote about, and at that point, they had written over 130 songs that they needed to narrow down for albums. They’re incredible writers, and talents translates well into this album.
“Are these walls to keep you in or to keep others away?” The album opens with this question - a question that holds the heart of this album. It’s wrapped into the sound, and it puts you on the edge of your seat, waiting for something to happen. “Don’t you want to run wild? Live free? Love strong?” On the first track, Anthony Mineo answers with a resounding YES. And the next tracks can convince you of why. Next, “Fix My Eyes” is just one example of of the creativity behind FK&C’s use of percussion. This catchy song doesn’t just make you want to feel good or even to feel God. It’s says do what’s right, no matter how it feels. Then, "To The Dreamers" has the same type of motivation. It presents a plea to those who are on their way, those who are still becoming. It sounds like it could be influenced by Imagine Dragons.
The next two songs, “Shoulders” and “No Turning Back” are two of their more explicitly Christian songs. “Shoulders” sounds like (and is) a hit on Christian radio. That said, both songs have the FK&C strings, complexities, and percussion that gently work their way into the songs. At the end of “No Turning Back,” the song transforms into a familiar melody.
“Without You” is absolutely heart wrenching. It’s very sweet: bittersweet. There’s this overwhelming sense of sadness about it. You feel this wave of a loss on the horizon, but it hasn’t broken yet. “Let’s dance a little, laugh a little, and hope a little more.” It features Courtney, who has a lovely voice to match Luke’s.
After that, the next set of songs brings the mood back up. The first tune, “Love Live,” is an anthem to “the young at heart” and the “soul set free.” It states,“with two left feet, keep on dancing.” This song will hit home with anyone who loves in a big way. Then, “Steady” speaks directly to God. It matches “Shoulders” very well.
Following “Steady,”“Already Home” brings in new, more electronic sounds. If you know the words “oh, oh, ah, ah, ah” then you can sing along! Although this song didn’t seem as tight as the rest of the album, it has a lovely message.
Then, “This Is Love” talks about the feeling of being in love and promising your life to someone. It incorporates idea from 1 Corinthians 13, but the chorus is driven completely by feeling. The structure of the verses and chorus create an interesting contrast. “Matters” talks about love in a different way and is a good reminder that, well, you matter. The following song is “to the heaviest hearts.... It’s not over yet, keep on fighting.”
The penultimate song of this album strips away all the fancy bits and shows the heart of the album. This is a plea for a God’s love. The sound of an organ takes me back to church. The guys talk about the rawest and dirtiest parts of us, which opposes the idea of the love freely given to us. When the music fades, they speak. This part is important to the album as it really sums it up in the most artistic, simplistic, and beautiful form.
The last song says “look how far we’ve come….” It’s telling us to take what this album teaches and actually apply it. The album ends telling us to put down our headphones but carry the music with us. We can take this music with us and impact the world in such a big way.
Review by Aubrey Wickenheiser
LTTM Rating 5 Out of 5 Stars Standout Tracks Fix My Eyes
Long Live
No Turning Back
Two-time GRAMMY Award winners For KING & COUNTRY have struck gold as the Recording Industry Association of America has certified the group’s current album Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong. Gold, signifying sales of 500,000…
Top-selling, award-winning for KING & COUNTRY, consisting of brothers Joel and Luke, release their highly-anticipated second album 'RUN WILD. LIVE FREE. LOVE STRONG' this week. As the reigning New Artist of the Year Dove…
For King & Country will release their highly-anticipated, second album 'Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong.' on 16th September 2014. Fans can pre-order on iTunes now and receive two tracks instantly from the forthcoming album…
