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JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Inspection Review

Matthew James Mason

Matthew James Mason
Refuge - EP

Street Date: March 9, 2018
Style: Praise & Worship
Official Site: Official Website
Buy It: iTunes
Buy It: AmazonMP3



It's widely known that "worship music" has become its own genre in today's CCM and many of those worship artists are household names: from solo acts like Chris Tomlin and David Crowder to large churches and collectives like Bethel, Hillsong, and Jesus Culture. What most people don't realize, however, is that there is a large group of independent artists making quality worship music as well. Matthew James Mason, a worship leader and pastor in Dublin, Ohio, is one of such artists. Mason has been leading worship for years, starting as a teenager, but has turned his attention to writing in more recent years. Refuge released in early March 2018 and is Mason's first. The EP is finely produced and carries a sound that fans of Chris Tomlin will surely be familiar with. Matthew has a very different vocal style, but you can tell he takes lyrical and musical cues from the Grammy award winning artist -- especially when it comes to many of the melodies. "God is a Refuge" is the title track, of sorts, and serves as a nice upbeat opening number. It's a good song that would certainly be well-received in corporate worship settings. Psalms 121:2 has become a popular scripture for worship songs. The Museum, Casting Crowns, and for King & Country, amongst others, have all tackled this scripture in recent years. "Ever Surrounding Me" is Mason's song revolving around that very same scripture. While the music doesn't necessarily sound like any of the other artists mentioned, the lyrics definitely make you think, "I've heard this one before." "Ember and Flame" and "Matchless (Majesty)" are slower songs that undoubtedly have a strong Tomlin/Passion vibe all around. The twenty-eight minute EP ends with the two most intriguing songs. "Overcome the Grave" is an album best. Musically, it starts out very standard, but the drum beat that comes in at the 1:09 mark gives the track an off-kilter feel (in a good way) that sets it apart and gives a great sound overall. "Usher in Your Presence" then closes the EP out. The song has very low verses coupled with much higher choruses and the transitions are a bit odd. The song's atmosphere could easily make it an album favorite, or the low spot -- depending on the individual listener's taste. Matthew James Mason has shown his heart with Refuge EP. Many of these songs were years in the making and are the very start of his songwriting career. Fans of CCM and popular worship artists like Chris Tomlin will find themselves pleased with this EP. It's nice to see more people like Matthew James Mason sharing his heart for worshipping the Creator with his talents and music.

- Review date: 3/19/18, written by Michael Weaver of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
ELI GABLE Glory Bound - Single [Capitol CMG]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Claire Leslie Thank God I'm Not Alone (from Claire's Phone) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Tommy Royale, gio. Like Dat - Single [Capitol CMG]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



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