Jonas Park and David Bollmann “Forward” EP Review
Prime Cuts: Nearness, O Jesus, Lifter of My Head
Instead of gathering up a soiree of sounds with bludgeoning guitars or amped out percussions, Jonas Park and David Bollmann have chosen to take the contemplative route. Instead of creating a din of the biggest sounds and hooks, the songs here go for the theological meat with themes hobbling around Philippians 3:14 where the Apostle Paul admonishes us to press on forward towards Christ as the prize and forgetting what's behind us. "Forward" finds International House of Prayer (IHOPKC) worship leader, Jonas Park partnering with his long-time song writing collaborator, David Bollmann on 6 newly crafted worship songs. Park began serving on worship teams in the IHOPKC prayer room in 2008. Many of his songs have been featured on several Forerunner albums, including "I Am Yours (First Love)," on the recent Onething Live: Sing Your Praises. David Bollmann, on the other hand, is an established songwriter who has written with Timabaland, Keri Hilson, Christian Rich, and J-Cole. He has also written the score for the new indie film, "Her Story."
Stylistically "Forward" contains mostly mid to slower paced worship songs, often availing for us lots of ethereal-styled worship moments; a niche that has earmarked many of Jesus Culture's recent recordings. Album opener "I Remember" has the most accelerated tempo. With a neo-soul Brit dance beat and some cool synth flourishes, "I Remember" celebrates God's faithfulness. The tempo immediately dips with the EP's second cut "Lifter of My Head." Weaving in various threads from the book of Psalms, some 70s style folk and a suave European synth-driven aloofness, "Lifter of My Head" is a song that will certainly turn heads when it comes to fresh worship sounds.
If you are a lover of worship ballads, "O Jesus" is sure to please. Intimate, Christ-centered and so heartfelt, you can't get worship as tender and as holy as this. "Nearness" is to be single out as a textbook example of song writing at its best. The attention paid to details in outlining the specific areas of God's faithfulness instead of just hovering on the generalities shows the maturity and depth of both Park and Bollmann as writers. If there is any criticism, it's that there are far too many ballads. When they follow one after another, the EP seems to flow like one seamless slow song. Let's hope that Park and Bollmann will follow up this EP with a full length album demonstrating a full array of their unique styles and tempos; something they are more than capable of doing.
Tags : Jonas Park David Bollman Forward Forward review jonas park and david bollman album review jonas park and david bollman news International House of Prayer of Kansas City
Hot Trends
-
The Kingdom Heirs Build on a Classic Sound with “I Want To Live Like Jesus”
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Passion's "I've Witnessed It"
-
Is Taylor Swift a Christian?
-
Chester Bennington Dies: Was He a Christian?
-
Phil Wickham's Son Graduates from Kindergarten & Receives the "Most Curious About Jesus" Award
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
Bill & Gloria Gaither To Release Two New Homecoming Series Recordings This Friday
-
Leanna Crawford Releases "Still Waters (Psalm 23);" New Album Out July 19
-
Former Pastor and By The Tree Frontman Chuck Dennie Finds Healing with "Gypsy Heart"
-
"Elevation Nights '24" With Elevation Worship And Pastor Steven Furtick Returns This Fall
-
Hear the Story Behind Getty’s "Christ Our Hope in Life and Death"
-
Dr. David Jeremiah Had a Fall & Cancels All Speaking Engagements for "Singing in the Sun"
-
The Collingsworth Family “Just Sing!” Album Review
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
Hillsong's Marty Sampson's Startling Revelations About Brian Houston & His Own Marriage
Most Popular
-
The Kingdom Heirs Build on a Classic Sound with “I Want To Live Like Jesus”
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Passion's "I've Witnessed It"
-
Is Taylor Swift a Christian?
-
Chester Bennington Dies: Was He a Christian?
-
Phil Wickham's Son Graduates from Kindergarten & Receives the "Most Curious About Jesus" Award
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Transformation Worship's "Yahweh"
-
Bill & Gloria Gaither To Release Two New Homecoming Series Recordings This Friday
-
Leanna Crawford Releases "Still Waters (Psalm 23);" New Album Out July 19
-
Former Pastor and By The Tree Frontman Chuck Dennie Finds Healing with "Gypsy Heart"
-
"Elevation Nights '24" With Elevation Worship And Pastor Steven Furtick Returns This Fall
-
Hear the Story Behind Getty’s "Christ Our Hope in Life and Death"
-
Dr. David Jeremiah Had a Fall & Cancels All Speaking Engagements for "Singing in the Sun"
-
The Collingsworth Family “Just Sing!” Album Review
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
Hillsong's Marty Sampson's Startling Revelations About Brian Houston & His Own Marriage