Brandon Lake's King of Hearts is a bold swing from a worship leader who's become a genre-defining force in Christian Contemporary Music (CCM). Dropping amidst the buzz of his Grand Ole Opry debut with Jelly Roll and the strength of fiery single "Hard Fought Hallelujah," this 16-track behemoth showcases Lake's chameleon-like ability to wear multiple hats. There's a high-octane praise leader, intimate worshipper, and charismatic entertainer. All told, it's his most musically ambitious project yet, weaving heartland rock, country twang, R&B grooves, and pop anthems into a vibrant tapestry of worship. But while the album's eclectic style is its greatest strength, its sprawling runtime becomes its Achilles' heel, diluting a stellar 10-song core with a back half that drags under its weight.

"Plans" starts with a radio-ready, acoustic-driven nod to Jeremiah 29:11, tailor-made for Sunday mornings. Its warm, congregational vibe sets a high bar. "Daddy's DNA" follows, a Prodigal Son-inspired country cut that's equal parts storytelling and soul-stirring, with Lake's gritty vocal carrying the emotional weight. "SEVENS" is a Revelation-fueled firestorm, its screamed refrains and stacked electric guitars push worship into rock territory that'll grab listeners who'd likely never touch a CCM playlist. "Ghost Stories" leans into God's faithfulness with a reflective, rootsy edge, while "That's Who I Praise" bursts with bright, pop-infused energy that's impossible not to sing along to. These tracks alone prove Lake's knack for crafting songs that hit different emotional and spiritual chords, each distinct yet cohesive. Mid-album highlights like the oddly effective hip-hop-infused "Right in the Middle," and the gospel funk hybrid "But God," keep the momentum high.

Where King of Hearts stumbles hardest is its length. At 16 tracks and an hour and fifteen minutes, the marathon tests the listener looking for the full album listen. The front half is solid, but the back half —- while not without merit -- feels like a collection of filler that could've been trimmed. Songs like "Spare Change," "As For Me and My Home," "Remember the Miracles," and "The Half Has Not Been Told" have moments of brilliance, but lack the immediacy of the earlier cuts, leading to diminishing returns. A leaner 10-song album would've hit harder, letting Lake's eclectic vision shine without overstaying its welcome. The thematic depth is there -— scriptural nods, personal testimonies, and raw emotion -— but the extra tracks dilute the impact.

Also, for those unfamiliar with Lake's body of work, your theological background may dictate the depth of your enjoyment when a closer look is taken at his lyrics. Overall, while there has been some criticism of his music for "name it and claim it" theology, when examining the lyrics I don't see it here. I find that Lake is less guilty of theological error and more prone to an approach those less familiar with Biblical vernacular would still be able to enjoy. He uses biblical depictions effectively, but is just vague enough, while still drawing from Scripture. Ultimately, he sounds most at home in arena-ready tunes like "SEVENS," proving he's not just a worship leader but a performer who can command any stage. "SEVENS" also contains my favorite lines on the album, inspired by the book of Revelation, "Rally the angels, ready for war/He's riding a stallion, make way for the Lord/His word is a weapon, His tongue is a sword/The God of the whisper is the God of the Roar." Some may raise an eyebrow, but this is not militancy for the sake of it, but matches the aggressive musicality with apocalyptic imagery to great effect. I'm still on the fence about the blend of worship leading and entertainment, but if approaching the album like a collection of songs and not a worship service, the versatility is impressive.

King of Hearts has all the ingredients of a hit album: genre hops, strong singles, high profile guest spots (CeCe Winans, Jelly Roll), and Brandon himself has a marketable style/personality. Lake's at his best when he doesn't try to be too deep and keeps the runtime short. He excels at high praise and entertainment, but this set of songs doesn't display a strong enough writer to pull off intimate worship or storyteller like he has in the past. King of Hearts isn't perfect; its ambition sometimes outpaces its execution. But when it hits, it hits hard, offering worship that's as diverse as the church it serves. Trim the fat, and you've got a top-ten album of 2025. As it stands, however, it's a good album that could have been great. Still, Lake's fearless genre-blending and heart-on-sleeve songwriting make this a must-listen for anyone craving worship that's both fresh and faithful.

- Review date: 6/18/25, written by Josh Balogh of Jesusfreakhideout.com