Matt Papa

Look & Live
2 Cities Music

Matt Papa released his first project on his independent record label 2 Cities Music on Sept. 17. Papa will launch a fall tour to support the new record, the Look & Live Tour 2013.

This is not your run-of-the-mill four-chord “God is good/magnificent/full of grace” praise and worship record we’ve come to expect from much of the Christian music industry. This is deep stuff — theatrical in its presentation, lyrically convicting, rich and varied musically. That said, the album opener “For Your Glory” is a four-chord wonder, although even here, varied textures and rhythms lift the song head and shoulders above the norm.

Co-produced with Delirious guitarist Stu G — who almost certainly adds much to the creative beauty of the record, not to mention the occasional searing guitar riff — the record manages to present powerfully the gospel message of hope and redemption while touching on real-world issues like addiction, depression and the tension between worship and idolatry.

If you’re looking just to tap your foot and nod your head to rock rhythms, keep looking. But if you’d like more — insightful lyrics, sweeping melodies and intricate rhythms — this may be just what you’re looking for. Highly recommended.