The Gray Havens, a Christian narrative-pop-folk band, released their fifth full length album this past week on September 5th titled “This is Not the End”. This album consists of 7 songs previously released in “Shine” with an added 3 extra. The Gray Havens are known for their inspiration from literature by authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis as well as their different take on Christian music. This husband-and-wife duo started in 2013 with their popularity rising in 2016 following the release of “Ghost of a King”.
Known as their most vulnerable album, it begins with a song called “Anywhere”. Its’ slow and gentle tempo brings listeners closer to hear the lyrics. Dave Radford speaks on the difficulty of writing this piece by stating on his website, “‘Anywhere’ was one of the most challenging songs to write of my career. It came out of a long spell of chronic pain and health issues that were compounded by a series of setbacks as an artist.” He went on to discuss both the frustrations and importance of hope throughout this song. Near the end, he pointed out the change of lyrics in the last chorus turning from “take me anywhere but here” to “don’t take me anywhere but here”. This is now one of their most asked songs to play.
The next song titled “Loop Cycle” is a very different vibe from the melancholy first song. After the exciting buildup in the beginning, this piece jumps straight into the chorus with lyrics such as, “Loop cycle, here we go, anxious thoughts on repeat” and “Loop cycle, here we go, livin’ life in defeat”. While being the most upbeat song in the album, it still holds very relatable themes in which the listeners can find themself sucked into. Overall, this song has a very catchy melody with both lyrics and rhythms that one can easily find stuck in their head. Also similar to “Anywhere”, the last chorus has a lyric change symbolizing defeat of the anxious thoughts.
“Magic” is the next song in the album about the two members, David and Licia Radford, and their relationship together. It’s a sweet testament to their love and commitment to each other. “Shine” comes next and is another more upbeat piece with more of a gospel-music feel to it. Also a very popular song with many catchy rhythms and lyrics that makes one want to sing along with. Then, the album slows back down with “Where the Living is Deep”.
“Ordinary Miracle” comes next with a unique tone to it. This song brings out their inspiration from literature. The chorus lyrics are, “Cause if I could fly back to the dream just for the night. Nowhere to be, king of the clouds, a kid in a tree. Could I still believe in miracles?” With a soft piano melody and poetic lyrics, this song has the ability to bring out the child-like faith inside of someone.
Both “Give Me Rest” and “Hold Me Close” are both pieces in which the artists are expressing their tiredness and need for God in these times. This leans into the vulnerability this entire album has in showing to their listeners both the good and the bad. Again, “Give Me Rest” has a lyric change throughout the song to symbolize a change of heart or realization in what the Lord truly has to offer us.
The next song, “Over and Over”, is another slow piece about an important moment in Radford’s life, one that seems to be a moment that has affected him for a while. The album ends with the song titled the same as the album name: “This is Not the End.” It’s a testament to all the difficulties that life can throw at someone, but it cannot keep us down. The lyrics in the chorus say, “You can knock me down, drag me out, but ring the bell for one more round. I’ll get up again, ’cause this is not the end.” The Gray Havens know God is on their side and have shown through this whole album between the lyric changes and musicality that God is with everyone else, too, and He has already won.
