Grammy Award-winning Gospel artist Jonathan McReynolds is back in 2023 with a brand new album, My Truth. There is no shortage of great music on the album, but its title track is a particularly outstanding tune with a tender message of faith.
Even though McReynolds has been active since 2012, we’d had little exposure to him until now. Be that as it may, “My Truth” blew us away with just one listen. The tune is a jazz ballad that has an atmosphere similar to Doris Day’s “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” driven by a lone piano and supported by a full scale orchestra. All the while McReynolds sings of interfaith acceptance and the love he has for God with a voice that rivals Michael Bublé:
We were helpless when You arrived
And You flipped the game on its side
Then You took the blame and You died
Just so I can have life everlasting
As a musician, McReynolds is the real deal, with several instruments under his belt and an expansive vocal range. This range is not just in regard to how high he can sing, however, as he can effortlessly switch genres from jazz to R&B, Gospel, and he even has some distinct rock and rap elements in the mix as well.
For example, another fantastic track from My Truth is “All True.” With rapid fire verse lyrics, the song almost feels like a rap as it begins, only to move into a slower chorus, turning it into an R&B treat. The way he employed gospel singers to support his soaring melisma section was breathtaking.
It’s not all slow jazz and minor melodies, however, as his biggest hit from the album is a faster paced danceable tune called “Your World.” This song was the first single from My Truth and it hit #1 on the Gospel Billboard chart, a spot it held for 5 weeks. “Your World” was written with the goal of helping people lift the weights that hold them down. McReynolds attempted to bridge the gap between contemporary church music and the hits of the past, drawing influence from spiritual texts as well as Marvin Gaye.
Of the song, Jonathan said:
“This song reflects my evolution and growth. I am not the same person I was when I wrote my first album. Now, I am secure enough to take more risks and remove any limits to my creativity. It’s God’s World, and we are just living in it!”
There’s way more incredible music on My Truth than can be covered in just one article. Hear the full album on Spotify, Apple Music, or your favorite streaming service, and then follow Jonathan McReynolds on YouTube to keep track of his releases.
And today we celebrate...