It's a rare sight to see a Christian song trending among some of mainstream music's biggest hits. Yet, Matt Maher's name recently appeared among music's elite when his latest single, "Alive & Breathing," reached No. 3 on Rolling Stone's Trending 25, a list that ranks new songs showing the greatest gains in audio streams across all genres of music. "Alive & Breathing" picked up stream right behind two chart-topping entries from rap artist KSI. At press time, the current Trending 25 chart also included entries from Lauren Daigle, Elevation Worship and Zach Williams.
"Alive & Breathing" serves as the title-cut for Maher's latest collection of music and features new artist Elle Limebear. (For old Delirious? fans, Limebear is the daughter of former Delirious? frontman Martin Smith.)
Before Maher ever signed a record deal of his own, he was writing songs for other artists. Long known as one of Christian music's most prolific lyricists, his own versions of select songs he's co-written for others round out the track listing for Alive & Breathing, including "Soul On Fire" (recorded by Third Day), "White Flag" (recorded by Chris Tomlin) and "Here For You" (recorded by Passion). The album also serves up two brand new selections, alongside live recordings of fan favorites.
Maher initially released the songs in bundles of three beginning late last year, culminating in a full 14-track compilation. In addition to releasing new music this year, 2020 has seen Maher make his debut on the Grand Ole Opry. The year also marks a special anniversary for the singer, and he hopes Alive & Breathing stands as a unique time capsule of sorts.
"This year it is 25 years since I moved from Newfoundland to Arizona and had a profound encounter with the love and grace of God that forever changed my life. Four years later in 1999 I graduated from ASU and said ‘yes' to full time church ministry. Ever since then my life has seemed to move in seven year chapters," Maher told fans on Instagram. "This album marks the end of one of those chapters and the beginning of another. These songs, live and studio, old and new, mark this season for me. I pray they help mark your seasons as well."
