If eternity is a diverse collection of colors, cultures and tones, then Danny Gokey’s “Sound of Heaven” paints a pretty accurate picture of what’s to come. The singer/songwriter’s fifth studio album delivers an eclectic mix of everything that makes Gokey a multifaceted artist. From pop to worship to Latin to hip-hop, “Sound of Heaven” serves up a smorgasbord of genres all held together by Gokey’s extraordinary voice.
Don’t let the signature pop balladry of lead single “I Got You” fool you. The inspirational radio track only reveals a small portion of what fans will enjoy on “Sound of Heaven,” a swirl of lyrics and music that feels like a glimpse into the afterlife.
Although he’s hinted at this side of his artistry in the past, the four-time K-LOVE Fan Award winner leans fully into his penchant for worship on selections like the powerful “Still on the Throne” and the upbeat “Open Up The Gates,” mirroring the powerful way he regularly leads worship at The Belonging Co., his home church in Nashville, Tenn.
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 got you.
Additionally, 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. Maverick City Music’s Naomi Raine rounds out the project’s guest list making a cameo on the memorable “Can’t Help But Worship.”
Gokey’s biggest departures, however, arrive on the title-cut and 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. Some people think it’s one-dimensional with just angels singing with harps, but it’s way more than that. It’s full of joy, where all creation in Heaven and Earth comes together and makes a beautiful sound,” he remarks of the ultimate theme behind the record. “To me, there’s no greater joy than us getting to participate in the ‘Sound of Heaven’ by glorifying Him with our lives here on Earth. 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, in just the way they need it!”
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 “Haven’t Seen It Yet” singer will bring his new tunes direct to fans as he co-headlines “The Takeback Tour,” alongside Tauren Wells and special guest Ryan Ellis, this fall.
