On his 13th studio album, Matthew West drops some timeless reminders worth repeating: You are loved. You are chosen. God hears you when you pray.
That last prompt is a theme that anchors his new 12-track collection, “Don’t Stop Praying.” This should come as no surprise to those already attuned to West. The singer/songwriter has been on an all-out mission to create a prayer movement this year, and the project’s lead single and title-cut topped the Christian radio charts this summer with its bold encouragement to keep hitting your knees even when it feels like your prayers are hitting the ceiling.
Further amplifying his message that there’s power in prayer, West launched a virtual prayer wall online where fans can post prayer requests, similar to the board he has at each of his shows, which gives concertgoers the chance to submit handwritten requests. Additionally, West’s latest No. 1 is the impetus for the “Don’t Stop Praying” signs popping up in yards across America. With November’s presidential election looming, West hopes the signs serve as timely propaganda we can all agree on.
It’s obvious “Don’t Stop Praying” is more than the name of West’s new record; it’s a call to action. Part of the appeal of the title track, which opens the set, lies in the first verse that asks the kind of questions that keep you up at night: “What’s your impossible? Your ‘I need a miracle’? What’s got you barely hanging by a single thread?” West goes on to assure listeners that God hears us when we pray, and He is in the business of answering those prayers.
Unlike his most recent releases, which have told the stories of others, West dives into his own story for inspiration on “Don’t Stop Praying.” Intentionally keeping his circle of collaborators small, the two-time K-LOVE Fan Award winner enlisted close confidants AJ Pruis and Jeff Pardo to help him finesse his latest full-length effort. Anne Wilson is also a featured writer and guest vocalist on the country-tinged “Last Page of the Bible,” a selection that could easily fit on Wilson’s own “REBEL” with its apparent acoustic instrumentation.
Additionally, West co-wrote two tracks entirely by himself — “The Place Only We Know” and “God’s Hand.” The latter is one of many autobiographical offerings on “Don’t Stop Praying,” as West deftly works in real-life details about a car accident and a scary birthing situation with one of his daughters — both miraculous experiences he attributes to “God’s Hand.”
In fact, it’s the more personal selections that instantly rise to the surface. Surefire jangly pop hit “My Why” explains the purpose behind his calling as a recording artist. (Spoiler alert: He really wants to tell people about the abundant life available to them through Jesus.) Meanwhile, album gem “18 Summers” — arguably the record’s best — counts down every single year he’s spent with his kids. Inspired by his oldest daughter’s high school graduation and subsequent move to college, the emotional piano-led ballad reflects on the fleeting nature of time and the treasured memories with our children that will last forever.
Complimenting the underlying current of “Don’t Stop Praying,” sister selection “Breakthrough’s Coming” continues to assure listeners hope is always waiting just around the corner. Stephen McWhirter’s soulful voice joins West’s warm timbre for the faith-affirming anthem.
Christian radio-ready songs like “Chosen,” “Unashamed” and “Goodbye Yesterday” affirm why West was just named ASCAP’s Songwriter of the Year. His ability to pen a three-minute hit is unmatched. He can just as easily write someone else’s life into a song as he can his own. However, the real gold, this time around, is mined in the ones about West’s real life. Ironically, the deeper he drills down into his own narrative, the more relatable his lyrics become.
No matter the genesis of the tale he so effortlessly unfolds, West is astute at intentionally placing a nugget of truth into everything he puts his pen to, making sure each song becomes a gift the listener can unwrap. A master class in storytelling, “Don’t Stop Praying” is another home run for the talented lyricist, proving 12 times over why he continues to be one of the best songwriters of our time.
West is set to share new music on this fall’s “Don’t Stop Praying Tour.”
