Brightwork is a group of four guys who got together in early 2009 and have been relentlessly playing shows and recording albums ever since. 2010 saw their first official EP, and now they're back a year later with their follow up EP, Loving Rescue. The five songs show a talent for their respective instruments, but they also give off the feeling of "playing it safe." Brightwork's sound is somewhat of a hybrid of Jars of Clay, Nevertheless and MercyMe. While those aren't bad choices of bands to emulate (if you must), they're bands with sounds that people love. So to sound like them is, in a sense, playing it safe. It's rather disheartening; even more so when the band's bio states that they have "a fresh and refined repertoire." Some of the songs also suffer sonically; I think they could've sounded a lot better had they thrown in a bit more guitar to take away from some of the emptiness of the songs. Outside of the music portion, their lyrics aren't the most well-written, but I really do appreciate and respect the message that they portray. They're either worshipping God ("Hope Unchanging") or sending out encouragement to the broken-hearted and hurting ("Yesterdays"). It's hard to start a band with its own identity these days, but it's well worth the fight if you can do it. Brightwork is still a new band, and despite the missteps taken on Loving Rescue, there's a lot of potential in these guys, and they should have a pretty bright future.
- Review date: 12/20/11, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com
This Wednesday, May 6, 2026
SINGLES Anike Contagious - Single [Reach]
This Friday, May 8, 2026
ALBUMS AC Lightnin They Call Me AC (Mixtape) (independent) Altar Boys Live at Cornerstone 2000 (independent) Vince Gill 50 Years From Home: Nobody Held Her Like Me [MCA Nashville] Amy Grant The Me That Remains [AG] idle threat you'll forget the sun [Tooth & Nail] LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - EP [Integrity] Michael Gabriel Monroe Heaven Sings Holy - EP [Provident/Sony] Allan Scott Just One More (Songs from the Motion Picture) - Multi-Single [Dream] Stephen Stanley Change - EP (independent)
SINGLES ALTIRA Death of Fear - Single [The Fuel] Bethel Music Love Of My Life (Live) (feat. Martin Smith, Paul & Hannah McClure) - Single [Bethel] Jeremy Camp Reflector - Single [Capitol CMG] Chasing Victory Blue Eyes - Single (independent) Drenae Hold On (ft. Smiiley baby) - Single [Syntax] Elevation Rhythm FATHER'S HOUSE - Single [Elevation] goodwill & Griffin McCoy START WITH US - Single [Syntax] KB Left Hand (feat. Terrian) - Single [Provident] Molly Kate Kestner Content - Single [Provident] Tori Kelly Control / Dive - Double Single [Epic] No Vain Glory BEATING THE BAD (SYMPHONY V) - Single [Syntax] Matthew Plante LUV ME! - Single [Dream] Josiah Queen make heaven crowded - Single [Capitol CMG] Red Worship Testify (Smell Like Smoke) - Single (independent) Michael Sarver More Like You - Single [WieRise] Starflyer 59 Disappointed - Single [Velvet Blue]
Next Friday, May 15, 2026 Dispraised Dispraised [Thumper Punk Records] Lamenter Transparency: Part One - EP (independent) Brooke Ligertwood EAT [Capitol CMG]
SINGLES ELEOS Leper's Veil - Single [Ocean House] The Emerging Sound, People & Songs Feel Your Heartbeat - Single [People & Songs] Hiyab Gabriel I Choose You - Single (independent) Glasslands Blood in the Water - Single (independent) Seven Years Yes to Everything You Are - Single (independent) Sower Joy - Single (independent) Switchfoot Absolution - Single [By Design/BMG] Joel Vaughn Over It - Single [Ocean House]
Starflyer 59 Release Title Single from Upcoming EP, "I'm Disappointed"
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Anike Contagious - Single [Reach]
