Sherman James Productions

Release Date: February 23rd 2024

Reviewed by: Joshua Andre

Anthony Evans– Revive (Amazon mp3/iTunes)

Track Listing:

1. All I Need
2. We Need A Miracle
3. 828
4. Tremble + I Speak Jesus
5. 1000 Names
6. Promise Keeper 2.0
7. Follow
8. Firm Foundation + Gratitude
9. Even If
10. This Is My Thank You (Mommy’s Song)

Anthony Evans’ music can be a little hard to define. Gospel and worship might be the best two genres he fits into. But even then… it’s kind of still hard to describe. Primarily focused on worship and CCM, his music has also been influenced by the gospel music atmosphere, and at times, his music can be reminded of similar artists like Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Jason Crabb or even 1990s legends Avalon or Carman. Now Anthony is no stranger to gospel tinged worship music, creating a worship album in 2014 titled Real Life-Real Worship that features gospel-worship heavily, while also being on The Voice US Season 2 as a contestant as well as subsequent seasons of The Voice (3 more seasons) as a talent producer. Anthony’s ministry, while in Christian music first and foremost, is also in Hollywood and the music industry there, with Anthony forming working relationships with many other mainstream heavyweights- CeeLo Green, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion during his tenure as both contestant and talent producer of The Voice US not too long ago. In 2017, Anthony released Back to Life, that featured powerful singles “See You Again” (a cover of the powerful single by worship leader Charles Billingsley), “Ever Be” (yes, the same cover sung by other artists like Aaron Shust, Natalie Grant, and of course, Bethel Music) and the heartfelt songs “Back to Life”, and other standout songs “Believe” and “God of Breakthroughs”; and even in 2018, he released, under-the-radar, an EP of sorts, Everything Else, that showed us more of his gospel side with ‘Something Better’ (feat. Mr Talkbox) and ‘The Secret’. In 2019, we saw Anthony unveiling yet another project, this time a covers album full of worship radio hits, alongside a lone original track in ‘Hope is Alive’. Altared is a must-listen if you have been a fan of Anthony and his music for years, if you are a fan of worship music, of gospel music, or a combination of all three. But now, 5 years later, Anthony is back with his brand new album Revive.

Those painful feelings, sense of despair and questioning, like ‘Where are you God?’ are real, but I have the truth of God’s Word, and ultimately chose to believe and continue to move forward. Healing comes from making the decision to move in the direction of His truth and the faith you choose to have, even if our situation dictates otherwise. In spite of my feelings at the time, I made a conscious choice to begin taking steps towards my spiritual, mental, and emotional health. When I started to do that, the work I did was magnified by His grace. It’s like what happens when you sing into a microphone. You put forth effort, and it’s amplified. That is what God did when I took time to push past feelings of despair and invest in my faith. He amplified my effort.

I’m looking forward to performing the songs on ‘REVIVE’ in a live setting, with a different level of inspiration, taking them from the great sessions we had in the studio to connecting with live audiences. With this album, I love that we didn’t have to cut any corners, and with so many great friends, could create tracks at a sonic level on par with any contemporary album in any genre.

Much like Altared from 5 years ago, a number of songs present on this track listing are covers sung with a gospel/worship flavour, while others are original songs that are deeply personal to Anthony. “All I Need”, a typical worship anthem in the musical veins of Kirk Franklin or Israel Houghton, showcases Anthony and backing vocals as we are treated to a full-on worship praise melody to God because He is indeed all that we ever need, and that He is the only thing we need. It’s a melody that is extremely catchy if you’re in the praising mood, and if you want to give a testimony or give God the honour, glory and praise- and want to do that publicly- then this song is perfect as the backdrop to all of that. “We Need A Miracle” (Charity Gayle), “Promise Keeper” (Hope Darst), “Tremble” and “I Speak Jesus” (Mosaic MSC and Charity Gayle) and “Firm Foundation” and “Gratitude” (Brandon Lake) all are present here, and are just some of the songs that have circulated worship services on Sundays for quite some time this year and last year, that are present on Revive, and all are given the ‘Anthony Evans’ treatment- still having their worship framework intact, but still having a gospel flavour infused throughout each track.

As for the rest of the original songs though, “828” is a steadfast, explosive and powerful new worship anthem that reassures us that Jesus is right beside us and that He won’t ever leave us, as Anthony eloquently cries out that ‘…all of my problems and all of my pain, you’ve woven with purpose that I can’t explain, all of my heartache won’t go to waste, I stand on Your promise and I will say You are working it out for my good…’; while the earnest and life-breathing melody “Follow” is as ‘scripture-in-song’ as you can get, with Anthony singing out Psalm 23 and other uplifting Bible verses which conclude that Jesus’ goodness and mercy are following us all the days of our lives. “Even If” is an exquisite and impacting piano ballad, and “…a song about what it means to have hope when your circumstance seems hopeless. It was written for those of us who have ever been in a scenario where your feelings have been telling you that God has forgotten about you. It was also written for those of us who need a reminder that your emotions don’t have intellect and don’t always tell you truth. Even if what we are facing seems insurmountable, despite what you’re feeling, God is still good…”. While the album ender is the emotional, vulnerable and honest standout- “This Is My Thank You (Mommy’s Song)”, a song where Anthony pays tribute and homage to his mother for making him the man he is today.

Anthony Evans has faced a lot of hardship of late- no one should lose their aunty, uncle, cousin and hear news about their mum, in less than 2 years. And so, to forge on with a faith in Jesus like no other, and to continue to be an artist in the face of said adversity; is only by the grace of God and because of it too. God Himself has been moving through Anthony, and it shows in this album. Sure, this is another worship album, but for me I’ve felt such a passion that comes through in these melodies that reminds me of what worship really is about- to declare God’s goodness and faithfulness, even when things aren’t looking that great. This collection of 10 original worship songs and covers are great to worship alongside, and while I myself may not necessarily say that I’m a full-fledged gospel music advocate; I have much more of an appreciation than I did prior to listening to Anthony and his music. With a comparable vocal to someone like Israel Houghton or even Kirk Franklin, Anthony’s experience of being in music for more than 10 years is something that ought to at least intrigue listeners to a hopeful listen once through to Revive. Well done Anthony for this worship album- one that’s going to keep spinning on repeat on my iTunes and Spotify playlists for months to come!

3 songs to listen to: 828, Firm Foundation + Gratitude, Even If

Score: 4.5/5

RIYL: Kirk Franklin, Newsboys, Tori Kelly, Chris Tomlin