 |
| Official album artwork for tobyMac's 2015 album "This Is Not A Test" |
In summary (all you may need to know):
1. DC Talk are back!! Yes, the music group with which tobyMac rose to fame is featured on the album. Read more on how DC Talk changed the Christian music scene in 1995 with "Jesus Freak" here » How 1995 Changed Christian Music Forever | AN NRT EXCLUSIVE EDITORIAL
2. NF (a new Christian Hip Hop artist signed with Capitol CMG whose album "Mansion" is making waves amongst Gospel Hip Hop lovers, and which I'm voting in as this year's number one Gospel Hip Hop album) is also featured.
3. Toby's music style is still as eclectic as ever. He is still flying high the dance-pop/electronica/techno flag.(No wonder his good mentoring has been felt in the recent albums by Mandisa and Jamie Grace.)
4. I added two remixes of "Beyond Me" (the single from this album that was released early this year) which I'm sure you won't be finding elsewhere.***happy happy smiles***
5. And, of course, the download link to the deluxe edition of the album is shared above.
Track listing
This Is Not a
Test (stylized as ***THIS IS NOT A TEST***) is tobyMac's seventh studio album. The
album was released on August 7, 2015.
The Deluxe Edition of the album (which I am sharing in the download link above) features 14 tracks (with 2 added remixes from my other sources) while the Standard Edition has 11 tracks.
The Deluxe Edition of the album (which I am sharing in the download link above) features 14 tracks (with 2 added remixes from my other sources) while the Standard Edition has 11 tracks.
The Standard Edition track listing is as below;
- Like a Match (3:07)
- Backseat Driver (3:21)
- This Is Not a Test (2:39)
- Lights Shine Bright (4:35)
- Til the Day I Die (3:47)
- Feel It (4:39)
- Move (Keep Walkin') (3:41)
- Love Broke Thru (3:57)
- Beyond Me (3:13)
- Love Feels Like (4:19)
- Undeniable (3:41)
Music style and acceptability
Toby's music genre has always been very unique. Quite a good number of Gospel artists now record music under the genre. They include; Mandisa, Group 1 Crew, Gamie Grace, 1 Girl Nation, Tori Kelly, Britt Nicole, Sada K... Just to name a few. The genre is widely received and played amongst young Gospel music lovers, and so, I guess, is (or will be) this album.
Generally, this album features a fusion of three major genres; dance-pop (commonly known as Christian electronic dance music), electronica and techno. There is some minimal touch of Hip Hop too.
Note: The song "Feel It" featuring Mr. Talkbox has that 90s soul-pop touch makes you feel like you're having some cool music from way back; and to add to that, it made me somehow crave a tobyMac+Danny Gokey collaboration.
You'd also realize that there is a good balance between the number of male and female artists featured on the album.
You'd also realize that there is a good balance between the number of male and female artists featured on the album.
Album art, album title and song titles
The album art (according to me) is not all that appealing to the eye. It tends to make you think the image had a problem downloading and it therefore came out with distorted pixels and an unclear resolution. But, anyway, looking keenly at the album art, you would notice that it tends to tell me, "Morris, remember that 'this is a not test'".
Stylization (if that's what I can call it) seems to be the new trend in acquiring both artist names and album titles nowadays. Here are a few examples of stylized artist names: tobyMac, UNITED, for KING & COUNTRY & NEEDTOBREATHE e.t.c). So, I guess, Toby is just flowing with the trend on this one by deciding to name the album ***THIS IS NOT A TEST***.
The name of the album and the naming of the featured songs give in to a good balance between basic poetry, simple naming and right-on thematic integration. They are understandable and not that misleading.
Audibility, singability, fluidity, quality and flow of music
Stylization (if that's what I can call it) seems to be the new trend in acquiring both artist names and album titles nowadays. Here are a few examples of stylized artist names: tobyMac, UNITED, for KING & COUNTRY & NEEDTOBREATHE e.t.c). So, I guess, Toby is just flowing with the trend on this one by deciding to name the album ***THIS IS NOT A TEST***.
The name of the album and the naming of the featured songs give in to a good balance between basic poetry, simple naming and right-on thematic integration. They are understandable and not that misleading.
Audibility, singability, fluidity, quality and flow of music
The album flows well from song to song and the production is well managed (considering that several artists and recording companies are featured on the album.)
Lyrical content
Marking from what I saw Toby do at the 44th Annual GMA Dove Awards (where he happened to win two awards), he still is really good at song-writing and mastering lyrical content.
It is a good thing that Toby has ensured that his music is still theologically deep and Christ-centered regardless of the genre he uses (which many conservatives may choose to greatly oppose.)
It is a good thing that Toby has ensured that his music is still theologically deep and Christ-centered regardless of the genre he uses (which many conservatives may choose to greatly oppose.)
Conclusion
***THIS IS NOT A TEST*** is a great album, especially for the millennial who would want to add some upbeat high tempo dance music that is still fully centered on Christ to their Gospel music collection. I hope you will be excited and encouraged after listening to it.
References
Written by
Sound clear music I really like Toby and his amazing music talent
ReplyDelete