Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Music Review


Jonathan Thulin, Science Fiction
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Jonathan Thulin
Science Fiction



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Pop
Album length: 12 tracks: 41 minutes, 9 seconds
Street Date: March 17, 2015


 
JonathanThulinScienceFiction
READER RATING:  JonathanThulinScienceFiction
/ 5.0 (0 votes)

Rather than further exploring the theatrical stylings of The White Room, Jonathan Thulin opted for a more energetic and accessible approach with Science Fiction. Loaded with creative synthesizers, catchy beats, and impressive vocal prowess, Science Fiction is brimming with modern pop goodness. Lyrically, each song is based on a single prominent metaphor (often deriving from folklore and fantasy) creating a subtle thematic cohesion. To make things even more interesting, Thulin brings on seven guest vocalists--most of which enhance the character of the album.

"Time Traveler" sets the lively tone for the album with its dance-oriented beat and addictive chorus. This lighthearted tune presents a gospel message cloaked in a sci-fi metaphor: "You wipe the past just like I'm a time traveler." Cranking up the bass, "Jekyll and Hyde" boasts a reverb heavy kick drum and a dynamic mixture of strings and synthesizers. Though it covers the serious topic of hypocrisy, it comes across more entertaining than convicting. Skipping ahead, "Hat Trick" stands out in the middle of the pack with its sharp Egyptian-styled synthesizers and slick rap from Derek Minor. Thulin dazzles and deceives us as a magician in this satirical piece about pretending to be someone you are not. One thing to note here is the phrase "hat trick" is used way too many times (36 to be exact). The vulnerable "Six Feet Under" offers hope for those who are trapped beneath the weight of addiction. The electronic background and steady drums are eloquently accented with strings for this lightly theatrical tune.

Two of the strongest tracks, "Mockingbird" and "The Ruins," are found towards the end of the album. Fans of The White Room will find "Mockingbird" particularly outstanding with its theatrical musical environment and stellar vocal performances by Thulin, Kevin Max and Shine Bright Baby's Emily Fertig. The album's sole balled, "The Ruins," is a beautiful duet between Thulin and Moriah Peters over a slow piano. Gracefully penned by Thulin and Charmaine, this song is based on Matthew 7:24-27 where Jesus tells the parable of the man who built his house on the rock. Closing track "The Theory" is a black sheep with its random AC sound and lack of a distinct metaphor. It's a decent song on its own, but in the context of this project, it ends a superb album on an uneven note.

Jonathan Thulin has been emerging as one of Christian pop's most promising artists, and it's easy to see why. His music bleeds innovation, his vocal range is amazing, and his songwriting is solid. Not everyone will love the shift away from Thulin's "epic pop" sound, but nonetheless, Science Fiction is a worthy follow up to The White Room. With no skippable songs and a handful of standouts, Science Fiction is a fun and well-rounded album.

- Preview Review date: 2/20/15, Review date: 3/6/15, written by Christopher Smith of Jesusfreakhideout.com




(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

JFH Staff's Second Opinion



After a steady build-up to his first major release with 2012's The White Room, Jonathan Thulin offers up his fifth full-length album. While his previous venture was more focused on a soulful form of worship, Thulin deviates from this on Science Fiction. A much larger palette of guest artists enter the fold this time around, including Kevin Max, Derek Minor, and Rapture Ruckus.

The general vibe of Science Fiction is somewhat disjointed, with no particular genre coming forth. For example, the album's lead single, "Compass," (probably the best track on the album) feels heavily influenced by Maroon 5, whilst the title track seems to take its cues from Jason Mraz. "Hat Trick" is also a fun song to crank up the volume on. "Mockingbird" is a beautiful and alluring piece, and one of Science Fiction's few tracks worthy of defining Thulin's career. "The Ruins" is the one song on the album reminiscent of his previous works, and it is very much needed by the time the album proceeds to wrap up.

Unfortunately, the lyrical prowess Thulin previously wielded on The White Room has considerably abated. Musically, Science Fiction is a strong project, but the sincerity that once permeated Thulin's music seems to be missing. Nothing here is particularly exceptional or original. Overall, Science Fiction is a good album, but I had hoped for a more cohesive and thought-out project. - Review date: 2/25/15, David Craft

 

Record Label: DREAM Records
Album length: 12 tracks: 41 minutes, 9 seconds
Street Date: March 17, 2015
Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Prelude (1:04)LYRICS
  2. Time Traveler (3:22)LYRICS
  3. Jekyll And Hyde feat. Rapture Ruckus (3:06)LYRICS
  4. Compass feat. Manwell Reyes (3:44)LYRICS
  5. Science Fiction (3:16)LYRICS
  6. Hat Trick feat. Derek Minor (3:23)LYRICS
  7. Cry Wolf (3:40)LYRICS
  8. Fountain feat. Tauren Wells (3:43)LYRICS
  9. 6 Feet Under (4:00)LYRICS
  10. Mockingbird feat. Kevin Max & Shine Bright Baby (3:56)LYRICS
  11. The Ruins feat. Moriah Peters (4:03)LYRICS
  12. The Theory (3:58)LYRICS

 



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 Tuesday, January 27, 2026
SINGLES
Philip Anthony No Parts - Single (independent)
Pipe Bomb I Will Kill The Worst Parts Of Myself - Single (independent)

This Friday, January 30, 2026
ALBUMS
The Binions Roots [StowTown]
bodie NO SKIPS (DELUXE) [Provident/Sony]
Peter Burton Where Would I Be - EP [Integrity]
Dreamers let love be your highest goal. - EP [DREAM Worship]
Deitrick Haddon & Voices Of Unity Chain Breaker 2.5 [Tyscot]
Gaither Vocal Band How Sweet It Is: Live In Concert [Gaither]
Kingdmusic JOY (independent)
LO CLOUD Sleepwalker - EP (independent)
Eddy Mann The Unveiling [MTS]
Lizzie Morgan Not My Will (Deluxe) [Provident/Sony]
We The Kingdom Dear Jesus [Capitol CMG]
YWAM Kona Music Apostles Creed Global - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ANTHNY imposter syndrome (spiritual mix) - Single [Provident/Sony]
Autumn Owls Thick as Thieves - Single (independent)
Mark Bishop The Fishing Pole - Single [Sonlite]
BRAG Worship, Trip Lee For Your Glory / Draw My Eyes - Double Single [Reach]
Elan Brio Two Hearts - Single [Fly Dog]
for KING + COUNTRY Ever And Ever Before (feat. MORIAH & Courtney) - Single [Curb]
Grace + Max Flame - Single [WieRok]
God Behind Bars Music Call Out To Jesus - Single [Provident/Sony]
Philippa Hanna 'Til the Whole World Knows (feat. Israel Houghton) - Single [Integrity]
Ellie Holcomb Hope's Gonna Find You (feat. Franni Cash) - Single [Capitol CMG]
I.A.N. PRAISE THE LORD ft. 1K Phew - Single [Syntax]
iNTELLECT, Procyse Fool's Gold - Single [Polished Arrow]
Lexly Nirvana Alegria (ft. Shanta Fuentes) - Single [Syntax]
John Long The Perfect Love of Christ - Single [Ocean House]
Mainstream Worship & Josh Daughtry Fresh Start (Live) - Single [DREAM Worship]
Bishop Paul S. Morton Go Through (feat. PJ Morton, Jasmine Morton Robinson) - Single [Tehillah]
Alexander Pappas Hands Up - Single [Integrity]
Saints in Exile Our Love is Dead & Our Luv is Dead? - Single [Syntax]
Scapegoat End This Nation (Ft. Dayton Turner) - Single [Charon Collective]
Seph Schlueter Life With You - Single [Provident/Sony]
SNT. VINCENT SOCIAL YEAR - Single [Syntax]
TKE3 Mr Unstoppable (feat. Omar Whippin) - Single (independent)
TRU-SERVA Battleground - Single [Kingdom Impact]

DVD
Gaither Vocal Band How Sweet It Is: Live In Concert DVD [Gaither]

Next Sunday, February 1, 2026
SINGLES
Like A Splinter x Righteous Talk Dark Sayings - Single (independent)
Tanya Low Red Fresh Rose - Single (independent)
MC Zappa Why? - Single (independent)

Next Monday, February 2, 2026
ALBUMS
Lecrae Reconstruction (Deluxe) [Reach]

Next Friday, February 6, 2026
ALBUMS
Ashes Awaken Rise [MTS]
Life.Church Worship El Camino - EP [Ocean House]
Ricky Dillard, Ron Carter Sweet, Sweet Spirit [Motown Gospel/Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
Freedom Church Good On Your Promise - Single [DREAM]
Ben Fuller x KB Black Sheep II - Single [Provident/Sony]
Josh Grove, KJ-52 Rain Or Shine - Single [Syntax]
Hulvey Rooftop (feat. nobigdyl) - Single [Reach]
Ian Austin, Heather Suzanne Apple Pie - Single [Ocean House]
Love & The Outcome For the Beauty of the Earth - Single [Integrated Music Rights]
Hunter Plake Lousiana Rain - Single [BEC]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images

 

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
All materials copyright of Jesusfreakhideout.com   ©1996-2026 Jesus freak Hideout. *Celebrating 30 Years* All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy