Former Attalus frontman and keyboardist Seth Davey has been quite busy over the past few years. After releasing albums in 2023 (Till You're All I See) and 2024 (Kingdom Rising), Davey started a crowd-funding campaign for a new EP (Hymns in Hindsight). However, plans changed and Davey started a second part of the crowd-funding campaign to finish another full-length album (with a full band) instead. Now, we are on the verge of that product coming to fruition. Davey's Words in the Wounds releases on November 28th and has 10 impactful tracks. Singles "39 Years and Counting," "The Highs and Lows," and "I Can't Sing It Loud Enough" really set things up in a big way.

"Love Lights a Song" starts things off with an upbeat number and a big piano hook. The chorus is massively catchy. However, the song really starts to hit its stride in the second verse as Davey changes the melody up a bit and sings, "Oh God, You know I want to walk on water and be a hero to my wife and daughters. And show my son just what it means to lead and live a story they'd be proud to read." These lyrics fit perfectly into the concept of the album and thematically with the first two singles. From here, Davey goes into a run of the three singles, from "I Can't Sing It Loud Enough," to "The Highs and Lows," and culminating in the magnificent "39 Years and Counting." As this series of songs end, the soft, piano-focused "Lullaby" slows things down in a major way. The more worshipful song slowly builds as Davey enters the chorus for the second time. He sings, "While hell's billows were rolling our God was unfolding a masterful plan. While the devils were raging our God was engraving our names on His hand." It's a simple but powerful reminder that no matter what plans the enemy may unfold, our God is there.

The title track starts off the second half of the album and is the focal point for what this entire project is about. In his Kickstarter campaign, Davey talked about how His wounds are where our sin and suffering are eternally written, but also a fountain of refreshment and a deep well of living water. This song is a praise song with lyrics that are thankful for what God has done for us. "Glorious Disgrace" -- seemingly an oxymoron -- talks about God's love for us despite, and through, our failures. It's a message of His unending grace in all things. "Only One Fountain" and "The Love of God" are both modern day hymns. The former borrows some refreshed lyrical passages from classic hymns, and the latter is the most beautiful song on the album; it's truly stunning. "Oceans Less" is the closer and is certainly the perfect choice. The track almost feels like a tag to the entire album. It's a simple refrain and reiterates everything we've heard previously. Davey closes by singing, "If we could fill up oceans with our words, they'd be oceans less than You deserve. Just a little thing we've got to give, a song to sing and a life to live."

Seth Davey's decision to follow God's calling and write this full-length album instead of the planned EP paid off in the biggest ways possible. Fans that may have been frustrated by delays in their funding should also be quite pleased with the results. Words in the Wounds is a powerful work of art and worship. Davey delivers honest and raw songs, coupled with songs of pure worship and praise. The album recognizes horrible failures and unreservedness, all while proclaiming God's love and grace through it all. Parts of this album are lyrically agonizing in the recognition of our failure and hypocrisy, but in the end, it's the sheer beauty of our Savior's love that outshines it all. Fan of Attalus, Seth's solo work, piano music, hymns, or just good worship music should pay attention to this album. Words in the Wounds is an impressive outing and one of my favorite albums of 2025. Undoubtedly, many of these songs will stick with me for some time to come. I cannot recommend this album enough.

- Review date: 11/25/25, written by Michael Weaver of Jesusfreakhideout.com

 

 Record Label: None
 Album length: 10 tracks: 43 minutes, 34 seconds
 Street Date: November 28, 2025
 Buy It: Amazon Music

Love Lights a Song (4:02) I Can't Sing it Loud Enough (5:33) The Highs and Lows (4:14) 39 Years and Counting (5:07) Lullaby (3:22) Words in the Wounds (5:47) Glorious Disgrace (4:17) Only One Fountain (5:08) The Love of God (3:26) Oceans Less (2:46)