If you were to say you'd never heard of Jason Upton, I would not be surprised. While he's been breaking ground in the worship industry for the better part of two decades, it's been mostly underground. However, should you decide to shake things up and listen to something a little different, look no further than Mr. Upton. While his music and voice are an acquired taste, Upton's work can change your view on what worship music is supposed to sound like. I was raised in the thick of revival with Jason's lyrics crashing through my ears. Faith, Upton's first release, is one which is reminiscent of the late Keith Green. Honest, raw, and packed with emotion, Jason's love for Jesus is dripping from every word that is released from his raspy vocals and every note on this keyboard-driven album.

The opening track, "Give Me One Reason," sets the tone for a very different worship experience. Jason's piano work is remarkable on this track, setting the bar for the entire album. Lyrics such as, "Give me one reason to doubt / I am the apple / of His eye," make it known that Jesus loves each of us more than His own life. "I Will Wait," the second track, plays out in a masterfully crafted ballad, placing emphasis on the importance of patience. All too often, especially in a culture where we are used to getting what we want when we want it, we tend to forget that God is not on our time table.

The album highlight on Faith, "Freedom," is a clever and witty song portraying the story of Moses leading the Hebrews out of Egypt. I have had the extreme pleasure of enjoying Jason Upton live amidst thousands of other believers, and this song is even more excellent in such an atmosphere. It opens with a beautiful violin sequence and Jason crying out, "Freedom!" The repetitive chorus, "Worship Him / worship Him / worship Him now," commands us to pour out our praise on God even when the situation seems hopeless.

As with most albums, there are ups and downs with Faith. As stated earlier, Jason Upton's music is not for everyone. If you are a fan of Hillsong United or Chris Tomlin, chances are you will not find much to love about Faith. However, it is hard to ignore the heart and love behind Jason's music. Take these words from the album closer, "No Sacrifice" for instance, "Your thoughts are higher than mine / Your words are deeper than mine / Your love is stronger than mine / This is no sacrifice / Here's my life." The lyrics are simple, yet without a doubt, deep and meaningful.

In an industry where nearly every worship album sounds the same as the next and is quite basic, Jason Upton shines as someone completely different. If you are a fan of Keith Green or Rich Mullins, give Faith a spin.

JFH Reader Review: written by David Travis Hankins, 2/20/17, for Jesusfreakhideout.com