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, April 15, 2026
ALBUMS Relentless Pursuit My Own Worst Enemy (independent)
This Thursday, April 16, 2026
SINGLES A.G. McIntosh Better Than the Last - Single (independent)
This Friday, April 17, 2026
ALBUMS Paul Baloche Yes, We Believe [Integrity] Hulvey COULD BE TONIGHT (Wide Release) [Reach] Love & The Outcome Sparrow - EP [Integrated Music Rights] Procyse, iNTELLECT The Art of Faith [Polished Arrow] JAI RIAN WHO I AM? [Syntax]
SINGLES 11th Hour Yes and Amen - Single [Sonlite] Alphein Unsaid - Single [Syntax] Lady Audri Alabaster Box - Single [Syntax] AustinThaNoble Into Your Hands - Single [Syntax] Elan Brio We Up Against It - Single [Fly Dog] Brothrly Quiet - Single (independent) CalledOut Music Grateful Heart (Thank You Jesus) - Single [Integrity] Steven Curtis Chapman I Will Be Here (Instrumental) - Single [SCSEE / The Fuel] Eddie Clark They Know Not What They Do - Single [Syntax] Josh Grove New Life - Single (independent) Noah Paul Harrison Christ That We Lift Higher - Single [Bethel] Mat Kearney Catch A Fire - Single (independent) Tasha Layton Meet Me In The Valley (feat. Ben Fuller) - Single [BEC] Pep and Perk, PEABOD Rainy Days - Single (independent) Saints in Exile & Cutright Good Won't Get You In - Single [Syntax] SEU Worship A Forgiving God (Moments) - Single [Provident] V1 Worship Sing Over Us - Single [Dream Worship] MAYIA WARREN Take Me Back - Single [Syntax] Madison Watkins God You Are - Single [Provident] Matthew West Jesus is King - Single [Provident]
Next Friday, April 24, 2026
ALBUMS Alexander Pappas Sunday - EP [Integrity] Wilson Fairchild American Songbook: Country Classics and Gospel Favorites [Gaither]
SINGLES Judah Avenue What A Friend - Single [WieRok] Capital Kings get lifted - Single (independent) Dragons & Astronauts Chasing After Shadows - Single (independent) Good Weather Forecast Suffer Well - Single [Dream] Hillside Recording you will be okay - Single [Ocean House] John Long Green Enough Here - Single [Zealous Company] Jake MacAdam Lean on You - Single [Ocean House] Trey Simon I Can Taste It - Single [Ocean House] Trulah History Repeats - Single [Near Kingdom]
DVD Wilson Fairchild American Songbook: Country Classics and Gospel Favorites [Gaither]