Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Music Review


For All Seasons, Clarity - EP
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

For All Seasons
Clarity - EP



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Pop / Worship
Album length: 7 tracks: 27 minutes, 35 seconds
Street Date: January 26, 2018


READER RATING:   


"Retro" is a word that gets thrown around a lot in music circles. In the last few years, Mumford & Sons featured banjos and suspenders heavily, and were proud of their turn-of-the-century (the 20th one, that is) vibe. The Killers gamely returned to the synth-heavy, New Wave sounds of the 1980's and made something familiar, "alternative," while The Lumineers, the new kings of folk, channeled 60's era Bob Dylan. In the CCM world, Rend Collective likewise made old-timey Irish dancing music fashionable again, and used it to create something new and fresh in worship circles. Last year, Hillsong United made a record, Wonder, that (at times) sounded like 80's-era Phil Collins and Don Henley (consequently, two mainstream artists I still love) and turned out big choruses and keyboard sounds that could have come out of a thirty-year-old time capsule.

California's For All Seasons follows that 80's era pop path with their major label debut, Clarity, and creates big, worshipful pop moments that will put a smile on the face of anyone who listened to the radio thirty-plus years ago. In fact, For All Seasons is so retro (whether intentional or not), that they channel iconic CCM veterans such as Twila Paris and Margret Becker.

It all starts with the big, wide-open voice of lead singer Emily Hamilton. Similar to Hillsong United's Taya Smith (singer of "Oceans" and "Touch The Sky"), Hamilton's powerhouse voice is put front and center of each song (a hallmark of 80's pop) and is a mighty instrument in its own right. Opening track "Higher" channels the kind of West Coast sound that Bethel Worship has been turning out the last ten years, and immediately grips the ears. Anthemic and uplifting, "Higher," and the following "No Other" and "Bigger Than," might sound a bit dated, but there is no denying the power and melodic hooks of this opening trio of songs. Title track "Clarity" rocks an interesting slide guitar and a great keyboard line that's not afraid to stand out.

Unfortunately, the remaining few tracks fail to distinguish themselves very much, and at seven tracks, it's not clear whether Clarity was meant to be considered an EP or a short full-length album. With a few more songs along the lines of the first four, this album would have been a really good debut, but in its current form, it falls a bit short. But there are good things ahead for the "Seasons" crew, and the future is bright indeed. The 1980's haven't sounded this good in a long time.

- Review date: 1/25/18, written by Alex Caldwell of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

. Record Label: Centricity Music
. Album length: 7 tracks: 27 minutes, 35 seconds
. Street Date: January 26, 2018
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon.com (CD)
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Higher (3:25)
  2. Bigger Than (4:25)
  3. No Other (3:52)
  4. Clarity (3:50)
  5. Fight Anymore (3:17)
  6. Eternal King (4:58)
  7. Common Love (3:47)

 

 JFH Album Sample Player

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
AOH Music BEHOLD (Acoustic Live), Vol. 1 (independent)
Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Vince Gill 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had - EP [UMG]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]
Megan Woods The Truth EP [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
Elevation Worship Jesus Be The Name - Single [Provident]
F'rael God's Wheel (ft. TRYBISHOP) - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake When A Cowboy Prays (Amazon Music Songline) - Single [Provident]
LEON Undefeated - Single [El Rescate Music]
No Vain Glory UNLEADED - Single [Syntax]
Park 7 The Hope Is On The Way - Single (independent)
Rave Jesus & Gracie Binion Need Your Love - Single [Provident]
REFVGE, Cyfë II & WAY? U P W A R D S ft. Bianca Silver & Josh LeCroy - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes In Harmony & MAYIA My Sister - Single [Syntax]
Rock City Worship Gravestone - Single [Capitol CMG]
Anton Scholl Born To Love You - Single [Near Kingdom]
Nathan Sheridan Don't Lose Hope - Single [WieRok]
SNT. VINCENT Feast of the Saints - Single [Syntax]
Vertical Kings Faith In Stereo - Single [Covenant]
Vic Lucas, Essence Natay & Ashleey Barnes Let it Rain - Single [Syntax]
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)
Aaron Williams Abide (feat. CAIN) - Single [Integrity]

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan untitled EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]
Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
Smalltown Poets St. Augustine (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Rediscovery [Bethel]

SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Joe L Barnes Grief, Joy, Gratitude - Single [Provident]
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
Leanna Crawford Beginning Of Your Grace - Single [Provident]
darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images