NEEDTOBREATHE’s new album, “The Long Surrender” was released on Mar. 26. The Christian rock band explained the album title as follows: “The whole process of the record was surrendering to the process, surrendering to all sorts of things going on in our lives. It felt like everyone worked really hard to drop their own ego and preconceived ideas, and not to force these songs to fit in some sort of plan. Instead, we all felt like the record was a gift that wasn’t ours to control.” With this in mind, the listener can enjoy the album understanding that it flows from what the band thought was not created by them so much as through them.
The title track is slow and ballad-like. It has a swaying, soothing rhythm that feels like a gentle release. It incorporates gospel-tune chord progressions and toward the end adds a church organ in the background, making this song feel like holy rest after a battle, and nodding to the idea of surrender. It acknowledges Christ, saying, “We will wait with the lost and weary as You turn the weight of our sorrows into a crown.”
The second song is more upbeat but equally inspirational. It is a plea to Christ after a personal defeat. The song admits guilt and explains the consequences: “In the agony of tracing our steps, we know we’ve already lost.” It is deeply emotional, an example of repentance and learning what it means to belong to Christ instead of going your own way. The chorus states, “Oh, say it now, say it now, say it now, I’m on my knees, I can only stand when your outstretched hands are holding me.” What does the singer want Him to say? The song does not answer; that’s up to the listener.
“Highlands” is a soft, acoustic track. It describes the discovery that pursuing things outside of God never soothes the pain in a human’s soul. The song describes a downward journey on earth until we get to heaven. The chorus says, “Be my never gonna pass away. When I go blind be the voice I’m hearing, ‘til we all get to see your face in the highlands.” It is a beautiful song.
“Sing Me to Savannah” is another beautiful song describing someone being reconciled with a loved one after a tiring journey on earth.
“Where You Call Home” is a song that sounds like a father instructing his child about how to live: “You ain’t ever gonna know whose side you’re on long as the wind blows your feelings like a sailboat in the storm…So take out your map and put your finger on the place where you call home.”
“Strangeness of It All” is a folky, homey tune that is as comforting as a big hug, just like this whole album. It is a love song to God from the position of surrendering to the way of love despite pain and questions: “I know You’ll see me through, nice and easy, take control, teach me as I walk through the strangeness of it all.” It describes seeking a genuine relationship with God rather than the answers to all of life’s discomforts and unknowns.
“Take Me Dancing” is upbeat and sounds more like a rock song. The chorus opens into a free and fun theme asking God to just take this person dancing! The dance symbolizes shaking off the weight of sin and sorrow by rejoicing in God despite feeling weak under the pressure. This song could bring tears to your eyes.
“The Door” is about letting go of worrying about the answers to all the world’s problems. It is not about neglecting the physical world, but about trusting God with the future and knowing our protection is Him alone.
“Growing Slow” is musically ‘cool.’ It incorporates various sounds that are seldom heard in NEEDTOBREATHE songs (according to my limited knowledge). Its chorus has an almost punk rock vibe and introduces a very cool synth wave. It also features a harmonica and a piano smash on the keys. This song feels more tense than the other songs, but in a controlled and intentional way. The lyrics go, “Here’s my confession, I’m tired of my reflection. This life is out of my control.” This can be interpreted as wanting to look beyond oneself and be free from the impossible weight of pride and the illusion of control.
“Momma Loves Me” is an admission of imperfections, but sweet relief in knowing that we are loved beyond anything we could perform. It reminisces of a mother’s unconditional love and the confidence it provides: “Wrap me in sweet forgiveness…momma loves me I’m still born again.”
The next song, “Take the Blame” is a lament and a plea for God to deliver us from the darkness in this world. It describes the danger involved in love during this life and how pain can strike us suddenly.
“Spread the Ashes” is the final song of this album. It is slow and opens with a piano. It is about always moving forward. There will always be trouble in this life, but it is meant to grow us. It’s from the perspective of a person who has departed from the world. The bridge’s lyrics are profound: “So, we leave you with a message, fellow passengers of pain. Never bite the hand no matter how you’re fed. When the saints are called back home, and all the wickedness is dead. We will meet you somewhere better than our best, come on.”
Five stars.
