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Ever consistent, Grammy-winning gospel musician Kirk Franklin delivers another anointed, contemporary gospel LP with Father’s Day.
![Kirk Franklin, Father’s Day [📷: Fo Yo Soul Recordings / RCA]](https://themusicalhype.com/wp-content/plugins/accelerated-mobile-pages/images/SD-default-image.png)
![Kirk Franklin, Father’s Day [📷: Fo Yo Soul Recordings / RCA]](https://i0.wp.com/themusicalhype.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/kirk-franklin-fathers-day-1.jpg?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1)
Innovator. 🏆 Grammy winning gospel artist 🎙 Kirk Franklin has proven himself to be innovative in the gospel music realm time and time again. Even deep in his career, Franklin always seems to have a few tricks up his sleeves. He has a knack for penning and delivering powerful, faith-based songs. Once again, Mr. Franklin impresses with his 2023 album, 💿 Father’s Day. Father’s Day is comprised of just 10 tracks, but all 10 prove to be worthwhile.
“Welcome Home”
“I been around the world and I-I-I, know it’s going crazy
I cried so many nights and I-I-I, need someone to save me
No greater love or sacrifice (Love)
Love on the cross You paid the price (C’mon)
That’s why I trust You with my life, and I take the chance and try love
Don’t say goodbye love.”
As always, throughout 🎵 “Try Love”, Franklin plays the role of encourager, minister, preaching L-O-V-E ❤️ ❤️ ❤️.
Appears in 🔻:
- Try: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 70 (2023)
- 11 Songs That Make You Wanna Try (2023)
- Awesome Songs: September 2023
“All Things”
Prior to 🎵 “Try Love”, 🤩 🎵 “All Things” arrived as the first single from Father’s Day. A tight three minutes and change, this marks another well-rounded Kirk Franklin record. Franklin ministers on the intro (spoken word), accompanied by piano (“Can I talk to ya? / I know you got some questions / What’s the hardest thing you’re going through? / Let’s talk about it”). Soon enough, the choir takes the reins, backed by slick contemporary / urban gospel production. Throughout, Franklin encourages the listener and choir, as he has done for years through his music. The chorus marks a huge selling point, with the essence being God can do all things 🙌. The evolution of the sound is #winning to, bringing in more gospel elements (the organ, in particular). “All Things” is at its best when it reaches that fever pitch.
Keeping the advance singles coming, 🤩 🎵 “Needs” marks another potent, satisfying, and tight record. Franklin penned the song, produced by a team consisting of 🎛 Maxwell Stark, Ron Hill, Justin Pearson, and Demetrius Smith. Once more, we get encouragement from Franklin on the tone-setting intro: “There’s so many voices out there right now… I found the answer’s really simple / And it’s been there the entire time.” The answer is Jesus, something made abundantly clear in the first verse. Prior to uttering Jesus, Franklin’s choir names things Christians associate with Him – peace, grace, strength, patience. In the soulful chorus, accompanied by keys, organs, and harmonized vocals, where non-needs are highlighted:
“I don’t need another love song
For the radio to play
I’m at the end of myself
When I talk to myself
I have nothing left to hear me say.”
In the second and third verses, like the first, it’s all about Him – J-E-S-U-S. Post-third verse, there is a high-flying refrain (or bridge), which separates itself from the chorus (“I trust you won’t let go / You live to catch each dream that falls”). “Needs” concludes beautifully with an outro, where the only thing that Franklin needs that he has is – you guessed it – Jesus.
“You Still Love Us”
The inspiration continues on 🎵 “You Still Love Us,” another moment that combines positive, uplifting messaging, elegant singing, and a fabulous, urban backdrop. A cool 😎 left hand piano line marks a defining characteristic of the instrumental. Furthermore, melodically, the rhythmic, tuneful melodies go a long way. Also, worth noting, is the switch to a minor key during the bridge, accompanied by contrasting sound that maintains engagement. Another awesome happening at the end of the bridge is a well-executed key change. Notably, Franklin takes a more active role within the last part of the record. We all continue to listen on 🎵 “Listen,” which initiates with a warm, melodious piano intro. Likewise, the vocals by the choir are reverent and spiritual. The vocal production is sensational too. Compositionally, the music is well-rounded – sound to the nth degree. Lyrically and thematically, Franklin continues to do what he does – compose encouraging contemporary gospel. The resonance of the organ truly hits the soul once it enters the picture. Franklin enters around the three-minute mark, delivering poetry (an interlude). Post-interlude, “Listen” grows more intense, contrasting what precedes it.
Another electrifying moment from Father’s Day arrives courtesy of 🤩 🎵 “Unconditional” featuring 🏆 Grammy-winning gospel singer, 🎙 Le’Andria Johnson. “Unconditional” starts off with rich, soulful electric guitar accompaniment. I ❤️ the robustness of Johnson’s vocals which are rich, smoky, and soulful. Johnson speaks of how the Lord loves her unconditionally. The second verse finds her upping the ante, digging in more vocally. I love the support Johnson gets from the choir; those background vocal harmonies are stellar. Mostly percussion-less, the instruments superlatively carry the groove and ensure there’s rhythm. The harmonic scheme, and modulating vocal harmonies, during the bridge section is, celestial!
“Again”
More guests join Kirk Franklin on 🤩 🎵 “Again,” a six-minute-plus juggernaut featuring 🎙 Chandler Moore, 🎙 Tori Kelly, 🎙 Jonathan McReynolds, and 🎙 Jekalyn Carr. What an anointed (and award-winning) group! “Again” has some CCM vibes, at least initially, but with more oomph. All vocalists deliver nuanced performances, giving their best 👏. Much like the vocals, the pen game is pitch perfect. As “Again” progresses, it assert itself more, reach that spiritual peak. For example, after the 2:40 mark, organ enters the mix, amplifying the gospel identity. As to be expected, the ending – the final minute or so – is nothing short of grandiose.
🎵 “Again & Again,” the penultimate record, is an extension of 🎵 “Again,” featuring 🎙 Kelontae Gavin and 🎙 Maranda Curtis. Is it a reprise? Honestly, no. It builds off of what we heard in the previous track but clearly separates itself. Only within the final 30 seconds, do we hear something closely related to “Again.” Notably, Kirk Franklin sings, which is a rarity. He also sings on the closing cut, the touching 🎵 “Somebody’s Son”. A moody, slower, reflective cut, “Somebody’s Son” feels like the fitting coda of Father’s Day. Are Franklin’s sung vocals perfectly sung? No, but you feel the authenticity and the emotions, which is most important.
Final Thoughts 💭
🤩 Gems 💎: “Welcome Home,” “Try Love”, “All Things,” “Needs”, “Unconditional” & “Again”
🎙 Kirk Franklin • 💿 Father’s Day • 🏷 Fo Yo Soul Recordings / RCA • 📅 10.6.23
[📷: Fo Yo Soul Recordings / RCA]
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