Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

The Gray Havens, Rest EP
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE


The Gray Havens
Rest EP

Street Date: September 25, 2020
Style: Folk Pop



Whimsical pop/folk duo The Gray Havens is back with new original music after nearly two full years of remixes and covers that have held their growing fan base over in the interim. Inspired by a Bible Project video on the sabbath, principle songwriter Dave Radford set out to write songs around that central theme. The result is three new tracks and three instrumentals on an EP titled Rest. In-demand producer Ben Shive returns to help steer the ship, with his fingerprints notably all over the vocals of the record.

“Sunday Train” has the most pep of the three tracks, making it a great choice as the lead track, though it suffers in comparison to the two songs to come. By no stretch is it a bad song--in fact it’s pleasant--it simply comes and goes without much memorability. Conversely, “Magic in the Moment” is a standout with its gentle and sweet reminder to not trade the small moments with those you love for the glow of your cell phone. It features (presumably) background talking from their child, making the intent of the song obvious as David sings with a tinge of regret in his voice, “All of these moments/I have missed/All this time/I’ve wasted it/But if there’s magic to find still up ahead/I want all of it.” Musically, it’s a bit one-note in the same way of Willy Wonka’s “Pure Imagination,” and I think that’s a deliberate nod to a song the group covered previously.

Next comes the title track and thesis of the short EP, “Rest.” Though the song is simple, it’s the haunting background vocals that float around above the strong drumbeat giving the song an interesting contrast. The lyrics are sparse but powerful, asking questions that should give us all pause in 2020 like, “Why is it so hard/So hard/To slow it down?” Of course the answer comes a bit later in the tune and rightly refocuses listeners on the finished work of Christ stating, “Give me eyes/Help me see and believe Your Son/Give me Faith/let me rest in the work He’s done/Cuz’ the work is done.” Interestingly, David is nearly rapping the verses, and at the very least, using a spoken word cadence that live performances of previous song “High Enough” may have emboldened him to try. He nails it pretty convincingly, and it’s a nice nuance to add to his musical repertoire.

Overall, the album falls between touching (“Magic in the Moment”), brilliantly executed (“Rest”), and middle-of-the-road (“Sunday Train”), making it a classic mixed bag. The other two things of note are one big positive--the terrific album art provided by Joshua Noom--and one head-scratcher--the perplexing inclusion of instrumental versions of each of the three songs, respectively. The instrumentals don’t seem to serve a purpose and act as more of a detractor from the originals, especially “Magic in the Moment,” revealing in a glaring way how little is going on musically in the track.

However, all things considered, it's always nice to have new original music from The Gray Havens, and this reviewer for one is hoping this is the creative spark that keeps the train rolling toward more new music. Until then, download and add the first two tracks to your 2020 playlists and enjoy the reminder to utilize the biblical practice of sabbath in your weekly routine.

- Review date: 9/23/20, written by Josh Balogh of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!

 

JFH Indie Spotlight Review . Record Label: Artist Garden Entertainment
. Album length: 6 tracks
. Street Date: September 25, 2020

  1. Sunday Train (2:51)
  2. Magic In The Moment (3:14)
  3. Rest (3:47)
  4. Sunday Train [Instrumental] (2:51)
  5. Magic In The Moment [Instrumenta]l (3:14)
  6. Rest [Instrumental] (3:47)

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!

Search JFH




This Thursday, September 12, 2024
ALBUMS
Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors Strangers No More Volume Two [Tone Tree]

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Hide Anymore / Devil In My Eyes - Double Single [Dualtone]

This Friday, September 13, 2024
ALBUMS
Yolanda Adams Sunny Days [Epic]
Alert312 The Lord Is (Our Evening) Beauty [Reimagined] [Streetlights]
Childlike CiCi It's Time - EP [Capitol CMG]
Amy Grant and Vince Gill When I Think of Christmas [MCA Nashville]
Travis Cottrell Hymnal: One (independent)
Hulvey Cry [Reach]
iNTELLECT Revolution [Polished Arrow Music]
Lofi Sunday Where the Sun Sets [Reach Records]
Mark Lowry There Is Hope [Gaither]
Passion Kids Worship Sing Praise [SixSteps/Capitol]
Stryper When We Were Kings [Frontiers]
Unspoken IV [Centricity]
Taelor Gray & Peace 586 Let the Church Say Amen (independent)
Tim Timberlake, Greg Cox, Kenneth Whalum MOVING MOMENTS, VOL. 1 - EP [Tribl]
Luke Wareham Christ is Lord - EP (independent)
Darlene Zschech Testament (EP 2) [Integrity]

SINGLES
’68 Intergalactic - Single [Pure Noise Records]
Altarheart Save Our Souls - Single (independent)
Ashes Remain Don't Let Go - Single [BEC]
August Burns Red Exhumed - Single (independent)
Luke Barbosa Kiss & Pray - Single (independent)
Kayla Berry Who You Are To Me - Single (independent)
The Blamed Pride Kills / Best Friend - Single (independent)
Chad Bushnell Imperfect Prayer - Single (independent)
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love - Single [DREAM]
Chainstay Take the Caseyville Exit - Single [Small Step Records]
Church of the City Who is Like You - Single (independent)
Colorvault & Alex Taylor Maybe Maybe Maybe - Single (independent)
Daniel Hardin & Lane Marie Triple Crown - Single (independent)
Paul Demer If The Lord Had Not Been On Our Side (Psalm 124) - Single (independent)
Earth Groans Bones of Winter - Single (independent)
Ryan Ellis Holy Place - Single [Provident]
Glae Lizard - Single [Broken Curfew Records]
The Gray Havens The Magic - Single [Blue Flower]
homage revelation song - Single [Integrity]
ICF Worship Lobe den Herrn (Seele sing) - Single [Integrity]
Ic3rd GOD FIRST (ft. Mission & DeandreGODsaves) - Single [Syntax]
John Mark Pantana & Lovkn Never Felt This Before - Single (independent)
The Kingsmen The Judgement - Single [Horizon]
Sarah Kroger Galaxies - Single [Integrity]
Tenielle Neda King of Grace (feat. Joshua Leventhal) - Single (independent)
Blessing Offor Jordans - Single [Capitol CMG]
Reborn Heal the Broken - Single [Resurrection]
The Rocket Summer Way Out - Single (independent)
Sidewalk Prophets Unbelievable (feat. Ben Fuller) - Single [Curb]
Sixpence None the Richer Julia - Single [Flatiron]
Sleeping At Last Heal - Single (independent)
TAKE Heaven or Hell - Single [Resuscitation]
Tigerwine Wax Magnetic - Single (independent)
TKE3 SALVATION - Single (independent)
Tunnel Rats Tell It - Single (independent)
Megan Woods The Truth (Strings Version) - Single [Fair Trade]
Paul Wright III Reverie No. 1 - Single [United Alliance]
Zippy & OnBeatMusic Who Am I? - Single [Syntax]

VINYL
Stryper When We Were Kings Vinyl [Frontiers]

DVD
Mark Lowry There Is Hope [Gaither]

Next Friday, September 20, 2024
ALBUMS
Alex Henry Foster A Measure Of Shape And Sounds [Hopeful Tragedy]
Homeplate Thanks For Visiting - EP [Small Step]
Perpetual Legacy Teodrama [En Hakkore]
The Rocket Summer The Early Years - 25 Year Anniversary Edition (independent)

SINGLES
Sam Bowman Oh Wonder - Single [DREAM]
Good Weather Forecast & Elijah Thomas Can't Get Enough - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Album From Millennial Reign!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images