Kirk Franklin, Long Live Love | Album Review 💿

Following a four-year hiatus, contemporary black gospel music icon Kirk Franklin remains consistent on his 2019 LP, ‘Long Live Love.’ 

Kirk Franklin makes gospel music cool for people who aren’t necessarily fans of stringent, more traditional gospel music.  This has been his calling card throughout his illustrious career, and that continues to be the case on Long Live Love.  Long Live Love, like many other Franklin albums, arrives after an extended hiatus between projects – four years to be exact.  Still, K.F. is very much still K.F.

“F.A.V.O.R.”

✓ “F.A.V.O.R.” kicks off Long Live Love energetically, filled with the inspiration we’ve become accustomed to from Kirk Franklin.  As usual, his choir handles the heavy duty singing with Franklin serving as songwriter, encourager, and minister. Ultimately, the premise is that God has “Blessings and favors waiting for you,” even if you’ll “Be judged and criticized” by others.  ✓ “Love Theory,” and its awesome urban contemporary vibes, continues the praise to ‘The Most High’ with some ‘swagger’ mind you.  The choir testifies to God’s goodness asserting, “He saves the day, He will come through / He won’t bow, that’s not what super heroes do…” On the post-chorus, they take things a step further – “I don’t wanna love nobody but you.”

✓ “Idols” continues the excellence of Long Live Love, focused on only lauding the one and true God – “God of all or not God at all.”  What comes to mind listening are the many Biblical accounts of false idolatry; Kirk Franklin compellingly plays off of that.  The encouragement continues at a high level on ✓ “Just for Me,” where the ‘sermon’ centers on being selfless as opposed to selfish, and understanding storms occur in this thing called life, but they are meant to strengthen.  That’s best exemplified by the chorus:

“It don’t feel good, but growing never does
It don’t seem fair for You to call this love
But if necessary, pain is the ingredient for change
Even when life may be bittersweet, it’s working.” 

“Father Knows Best”

The crème de la crème of Long Live Love is arguably the epic ✓ “Father Knows Best.” That electric piano is a nice production touch, while the song itself has bit more of a traditional gospel feel. It’s an extension of “Just for Me” that precedes it, trying to understand the reasoning behind God’s decisions.  Ultimately, it’s about trusting in God’s plan, and Kirk Franklin brilliantly likens God to earthly fathers, best showcased on the chorus:

“Oh, that’s what real fathers do
I wouldn’t expect nothing less from you
See, it’s alright to not always understand why
Let Him in, bring tears fro your eyes
But God, your ways are better than mine
So, whatever you see, keep working on me
Promise me you’ll hold me close, don’t ever let me go…”

Franklin follows up the ‘crowning achievement’ with another winner, ✓ “OK,” which is essentially made in the mold of everything else.  Despite all of the problems plaguing use, Kirk tells us, “I’m gon’ be okay… / See I gotta remember, that my God is bigger / Than any battle I’ll ever face.”  If any more confirmation was needed, another extending song, “Strong God” brings it.  Despite the problems surrounding (“The government keep lying to me / Telling me that they come to set the people free”), ultimately, Franklin makes it clear the only solution is a “strong God.”

“Forever / Beautiful Grace” 

Three more songs grace Long Live Love, all of which remain uplifting. “Forever / Beautiful Grace” is a pleasant two-part joint.  The outro, “Beautiful Grace,” is quite beautiful.  The slap bass of “Spiritual” is quite funky, setting up the ‘spiritual’ sickness of the penultimate cut.  Like the songs preceding it, Kirk Franklin discourages against sin: “So over and over and over again / Remind yourself when your flesh wants to win / It’s not about me / This is not my home / And everything’s spiritual.” The premise of “Wynter’s Promise” is pretty simple. It’s all about faith – believing in Him.

Final Thoughts

All in all, Long Live Love is another well-rounded Kirk Franklin album.  Even as he ages, he still Franklin still shows he has that ability to make gospel music cool.  This 10-track set is another consistent and rewarding project. 

✓ Gems: “F.A.V.O.R.,” “Love Theory,” “Idols,” “Just for Me,” “Father Knows Best” & “OK”  

Kirk Franklin • Long Live Love • Fo Yo Soul Recordings / RCA • Release: 5.31.19

Photo Credits: Fo Yo Soul Recordings / RCA