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

JFH Music Review


Shawn McDonald, Brave
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Shawn McDonald
Brave



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Dance / Pop / Soul
Album length: 11 tracks: 39 minutes, 47 seconds
Street Date: April 15, 2014


Not many artists today can claim to fit into multiple musical genres like alternative, folk, pop, and soul while still contributing solid music with an artistry worthy to be heard by almost anyone. Well, Shawn McDonald is one such rare talent and he is back at it again with his sixth full-length album, the aptly titled Brave.

The title track starts off this album and listeners are quickly thrown into a blend of upbeat dance style pop tunes with the idea of being brave on the forefront. Lyrics like "we're not defined by the fall, keep pressing through these walls" give good reason to listen and enjoy this finger snapping tune. "End Of The Day" follows, slowing the album down, a pattern that will occur throughout most of the listen: upbeat track to chill mode track. Shawn sings "never stop fighting, never stop dreaming, never stop giving, never stop speaking" while painting a picture of what kind of legacy he wants to leave on this world in another solid song. The next few selections are standard fare and easily enjoyable. The only songs that lacked a bit were "Worlds Apart" and "Through It All," with the former being too simplistic and the latter too repetitive in its verses. Other standout tracks, however, are "Learning How To Lose" and "Flower In The Snow," both containing great musical elements combined with stellar and moving lyrical content. Ending the 11-track album is "Your Love Is Saving Me," a quickly-paced song that carries a chorus worthy to be played in clubs and is overall a great track about God's love.

If you're already a fan of this veteran musician, then you certainly will enjoy Brave. While this may not be McDonald's most multi-faceted work to date, the music is diverse enough to catch listeners' ears, and though it's not the deepest album lyrically, the content is positively focused. Brave arrives just in time to help warm things up this spring.

- Review date: 4/7/14, written by Kevin Hoskins of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

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

 

. Record Label: Sparrow Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 39 minutes, 47 seconds
. Street Date: April 15, 2014
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. We Are Brave (3:42)
  2. End Of The Day (3:39)
  3. I Can't Imagine (3:48)
  4. Firefly (3:32)
  5. Hope Is Right Here (3:04)
  6. Learning How To Lose (3:30)
  7. Worlds Apart (3:35)
  8. Flower In The Snow (3:56)
  9. Through It All (3:25)
  10. Compass (4:03)
  11. Your Love Is Saving Me (3:37)
spacer     Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song 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 Friday, October 3, 2025
ALBUMS
BASECAMP Beautiful Like the Truth [Polished Arrow]
Pat Barrett I've Got A Fire [Capitol CMG]
Elan Brio Millennium Funk (independent)
Kristene DiMarco MEMORADUM - EP [Bethel]
Heath McNease Autumn Sessions, Vol. 2 (independent)
Mystical Death Carnation EP (Remastered) [Rottweiler Records]
Matt Redman Life & Breath [Integrity]
John Van Deusen As Long As I Am In The Tent of This Body I Will Make a Joyful Noise Pt. 1 [Anotherland]

SINGLES
ChristianXXII & Futuristic Already Won - Single [DREAM]
Damian Back To You - Single [DREAM]
Emerson Day This House Won't Fall - Single [Fair Trade]
The Forerunner Manifesto (independent)
for KING + COUNTRY World on Fire (feat. Taylor Hill) - Single [Curb Records]
Nathan Oswalt MAKE UP YOUR MIND - Single (independent)
Drew Parker Blame Jesus - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Shamash The Gulf Between Us - Single [Rottweiler Records]

Next Friday, October 10, 2025
ALBUMS
Citizens m us eum [Anotherland Records]
Jesus Culture Send The Fire: Live From London [Capitol CMG]
Tasha Layton Life in Me [BEC]

SINGLES
Chosen Road Daddy Was a Navy Man - Single [Thoroughbred]
Run51 Song Of My Soul - Single [DREAM]
Zane Vickery Name (Live at Greenbriar) - Single (independent)


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