It's not cynical to claim that Christian worship music artist
Matt Redman has found a formula that works almost 100 percent of the time. His eight previous records have all charted; as of this writing, his last offering, 2011's
10,000 Reasons, is still hovering near the top of the digital Christian Music charts, its single employed by pastors as a de rigueur part of Sunday services internationally. Your Grace Finds Me was recorded live in front of 1,500 LIFT Worship Leader Collective members in Atlanta. Once more,
Redman teams with the cream of today's worship music crop as co-writers in a set that delivers to its intended audience dynamically: Nathan & Christy Nockels,
Jonas Myrin,
Jason Ingram,
Chris Tomlin,
Tony Wood, and
Kristian Stanfill. The title track single offers this formula in all its transparent glory: scriptural content is packed inside tight verses that combine with open, anthemic melodies. Here, both the beauty of the natural world and the joys in human experience are juxtaposed against its difficulty and grief, yet all bear witness to the profound grace that is an ever present bounty from the Judeo-Christian God. While it sounds simple, it isn't.
Redman has never sought out the easy, milquetoast sloganeering that many worship artists have. He digs deep inside the scriptures, turning phrases and juxtaposing them with and against the life that the New Testament believer is seemingly called to, one of self-sacrifice, surrender, and service. The soft-loud, soft-loud verse-and-chorus structure of the songs serves to build toward explosive crescendos and transcendence, yet they are often artful. The set's true gem is "Mercy," which is destined to become a standard hymn for the 21st century. Other winners here include the broken, pleading "I Need You Now," the rocker "Let My People Go," and the shimmering, uncharacteristic "Benediction," the balladic closer. Your Grace Finds Me will certainly resonate with fans.