Danny Gokey Brings Heaven’s Worship Down to Earth on Fifth Studio Recording
Danny Gokey has long been known as a storyteller and pop hitmaker, but he expands his repertoire into worship territory on his latest effort, “Sound of Heaven.” From pop to Latin to hip-hop, his fifth studio LP serves up a smorgasbord of genres all held together by Gokey’s extraordinary voice. However, most notably, the album showcases another side of his artistry with a handful of worship originals that could easily be added to a Sunday morning setlist.
For those well acquainted with Gokey’s heart for worship, this comes as no surprise. When he’s in town, the award-winning artist quietly leads worship — out of the spotlight — at his home church, The Belonging Co in Nashville; and he’s recently been integrating powerful worship moments into his live set on tour.
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Air1 listeners were among the first to get a taste of one such moment when his brand new song, “Can’t Help But Worship,” debuted exclusively during an Air1 Worship First event prior to the project’s official release. The expressive ballad features the warm, inviting touch of Naomi Raine (Maverick City Music) and affords longtime fans the opportunity to experience Gokey’s capacity to lead people into the presence of God as easily as he’s able to entertain and wow audiences with his effortless vocal aptitude.
“When you encounter the glory of God, you just can’t help but worship,” Gokey affirms of the impetus behind the potent duet.
Additionally, the Dove Award winner leans fully into his penchant for worship on selections like the powerful “Still on the Throne,” which emphasizes God’s supreme authority and His complete trustworthiness. Subsequently, on the upbeat “Open Up The Gates,” he summons revival and the all-consuming presence of the Lord in an energetic burst of praise.
While worship is undeniably a significant part of “Sound of Heaven,” it’s really one piece in a larger mosaic. Gokey didn’t set out to craft a one-dimensional record; he set out to capture the sound of the hereafter. And if eternity is a diverse collection of colors, cultures and tones, then Gokey’s “Sound of Heaven” paints a pretty accurate picture of what’s to come. The singer/songwriter’s new offering delivers an eclectic mix of everything that makes him a multifaceted artist.
Standouts like the perseverance-building “Only For A Moment” and the confident “God’s Not” return Gokey to his emotive pop roots with the former boasting some of the best lyrics of his career following a planting/growing metaphor that includes this gem of a line: “So don’t dig up those roots just yet. He’s watering the ground. The promise of tomorrow stands on what He’s doing now.” Meanwhile, the latter tackles fear with the pop-laden, faith-affirming message that there’s no need to be afraid because God’s not worried about your current situation; He’s in control. Additionally, inspirational selection “I Got You” reminds listeners of God’s steady presence in our lives when our whole hearts are surrendered to Jesus.
Elsewhere, the “American Idol” alum welcomes surprising collaborations from rapper Limoblaze and urban worship artist Niko Eme on the vibrant Latin-flavored “Todo El Mundo,” fit to soundtrack a fiesta. The 11-track collection also closes with soulful Spanish-tinged, choir-assisted selection, “Lean On Me,” which features bilingual recording artist Evan Craft.
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Gokey’s biggest departure, however, arrives on the fiery “Makeup” where his spitfire delivery comes close to that of a hip-hop cadence, proving that even as a seasoned act, he isn’t afraid to chart new territory and stretch himself both vocally and sonically.
His addition of more worshipful faire and his experiments in hip-hop make “Sound of Heaven” one of Gokey’s most ambitious efforts to date, unabashedly showcasing his versatility as an artist.
“I believe the ‘Sound of Heaven’ is as diverse as all of God’s creation,” he remarks of the overarching theme behind the record. “In whatever walk of life or profession; whatever nation, tribe or tongue, we all make up the ‘Sound of Heaven’ if we’re following Jesus. My prayer is that each of these songs meet each person right where they are and help them experience the ‘Sound of Heaven’ in a fresh, new way.”
Gokey’s latest full-length offering is the sound of an established artist blurring genre lines and pushing sonic boundaries. As these 11 fresh hits consistently prove, the powerhouse singer can tackle any vocal challenge, sticking the proverbial landing every time, no matter the proficiency required. “Sound of Heaven” definitively breaks Gokey out of the power ballad box, proving his secret weapon has always been, and always will be, his voice.
The “Stay Strong” singer will bring his new music direct to fans nationwide through the end of the year on fall tours with Tauren Wells, Mac Powell and Tasha Layton, followed by his annual Christmas outing with Natalie Grant.
