Jesusfreakhideout.com: Josh Joel, "HOME (Live)

JFH Indie Review

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Josh Joel
HOME (Live) - Single

Artist Info: Discography
Street Date: February 14, 2025
Style: Worship
Official Site: Instagram.com/joshuajoel_
Buy It: Amazon Music

Canadian singer/songwriter Josh Joel has recently returned to Christian music and is has released his first worship song of 2025. "HOME" is a live recording and features some strong Michael W. Smith vibes. From the piano led music, Joel's voice, and even to the melodies, the song is reminiscent of classic Smitty (or even Mark Schultz). This isn't to say anything negative beyond pointing to a musical comparison. I honestly miss this style of music in the CCM market. The chorus here is absolutely captivating. It's an earworm that just begs for you to sing along. Joel sings, "Whenever I've lost my way, I've never outrun Your grace. You leave the splendor of Your throne, over and over. You call me home; a love like I've never known. Where could I run from Your embrace," in the chorus. The lyrics focus on the love that our Savior has for us despite our sins, mistakes, and failures. No matter where we run or stray, He will always call us home. In the bridge, Joel builds on this theme singing, "How great is the One who rescued my soul, who laid down His life to call me home. The breath in my lungs, the song of all days, the giver of life who knows my name."

From top to bottom, "HOME" is a great intro to the music of Josh Joel. It's a beautiful piano-driven worship song. The track has some old school CCM soul, coupled with a modern worship sound. It feels like it could fit into a modern church service today while also harkening back to a different time in Christian music history. It's a great blend that's easy to appreciate. Furthermore, Joel has a great voice that really pushes the song and message forward in a positive way. The song is just over eight minutes long, but it doesn't feel like it drags on. It does get a little repetitive with the chorus, but it's just so catchy that you don't seem to notice very much. "HOME" is a fantastic way for Josh Joel to introduce himself to a Christian audience. I look forward to hearing more of what this talented musician and singer have in store for us.

- Review date: 2/27/25, written by Michael Weaver of Jesusfreakhideout.com

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Record Label: None

Album length: 1 track: 8 minutes, 12 seconds

Street Date: February 14, 2025

Buy It: Amazon Music

HOME (8:12)
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Jesus Freak Hideout (Michael Weaver): You recently started writing worship music after having walked away from secular music. What led you to this change of focus?

Josh Joel: To be honest, music was something that I had left on the back burner as I moved back home to Canada! I was content on just helping out with worship on Sundays and serving where I could. But after a while, my parents and our lead pastors just kept calling out and sparking a specific urge to write worship music. Whether it was in our Team Nights or just in passing, they just kept telling me that there was something God wanted me to do with that gifting and so I just listened and went ahead with it.

JFH (Michael): "HOME" has a great lyrical message and reminder: God is always calling us home no matter how many times we stray. Was this idea part of what brought you to worship music, or was there another inspiration?

Josh: I think this idea is what brought me to faith in general! I've always loved Psalm 139 and the imagery of there being no landscape we can escape to - physically, emotionally or spiritually - that is out of reach for God. There's no amount of times we can run that would be "one too many" to come home from! As a teenager and young adult that lost my way over and over again, this Psalm tied with the story of the prodigal son is what taught me that there's always a space at God's table and our stamina to run will always be outweighed by God's patience and kindness.

JFH (Michael): The melody in the chorus of "HOME" is so good. It's enjoyable and singable from a musical perspective. Can you talk about your writing process a little?

Josh: Thank you! I would say my style is a little weird, to be honest. Melody is so incredibly important but I've always been more lyrically inclined. My good friend and co-writer on this song, Aaron Hollinger, graciously flew over to meet up with me and write together. We just spent a lot of time solidifying melodies over chords I had that we felt were singable and flowed well! I like to map melodies out later into syllables and then add lyrics so that I can really take my time with them.

JFH (Michael): I hear a modern worship song, but I also hear a throwback to artists like Michael W. Smith and Mark Schultz as well. Is there any intention behind this? Who would you call your musical inspiration?

Josh: That's such a massive compliment! When I think of those two and their insane discography - the songs are always just so easy to latch on to and filled to the brim with the truth. I definitely had the image of my church's youth group at the time of writing and wanted to lean into a congregational feel. I wanted them to have a song they could really sing out, believe in the lyrics and hold onto them as they left youth or summer camp. In the worship world, Hillsong UNITED and Young & Free have always been such big inspirations for me and so pivotal in my faith journey. Outside of the worship world, Michael Jackson, Bon Iver, The Weeknd & Mk.Gee have been the big ones.

JFH (Michael): You've obviously made a pretty big transition recently. What would you say God has taught or showed you during this time of change?

Josh: I think the idea of being open handed with the gifts and callings He has over my life. Being willing to be malleable is much better than being made to be! The outworking of the calling may not be exactly what you dream or imagine - but God is always faithful to "one up" what we may think is too spectacular and unthinkable. To be able to hold onto art with an open hand is a difficult thing. Artists pour their souls into what they make. I'm still learning to trust that God is the true genius artist and He is able to do far more with what we offer than anything we could ever dream up.

JFH (Michael): Do you have any plans for a tour or live shows that you'd like to share with the readers?

Josh: Right now, I'm focused on making more music and working with as many different writers and musicians as possible. I have plans to do a show or a sort of worship night (much like the one we recorded HOME at) some time soon! But definitely stay tuned on social media and streaming platforms for updates!