Though the topic of environmentalism can be polarizing, most would agree that it’s a good idea to take care of the planet. In fact, it was one of the first things that God told humanity to do in Genesis 2:15.
Recognizing the need but not wanting to focus on the divisive aspects of this issue, a group of singer-songwriters joined together to bring awareness to this topic.
This project resulted in an album, “A New Heaven and A New Earth,” a compilation of different musicians with different musical styles, including rock, pop, hip-hop, R&B, indie, folk/Americana and more. One song per month is being released, culminating in the full album’s release in winter 2023–2024.
Singer-songwriter Phil Joel was excited when he first heard about the project. He quickly “hopped to it” and wrote and recorded his song.
Joel wanted the project to answer the question, “How can we best honor the Creator by taking care of His creation?” The songs were simply the vehicle to steer this conversation and keep it alive while also not allowing politics or a different agenda to hijack it.
Jason Roy, lead vocalist for Building 429, was impressed at how it all came together.
“This project specifically is quite a special thing because we have a lot of artists who believe and have great faith,” Roy said. “But they came at this concept from a lot of different angles and have differing opinions on how it should be attacked and what should be done.”
Different tracks
With different backgrounds, different beliefs and even different styles of music, it could have been volatile.
“And yet, we all had a seat at the table, and we’re all respectful of each other, and we’re all fans of each other,” Roy said.
Roy’s song, “It’s All Yours,” was released first in May 2023. He described it as a “world anthem-type sound,” similar to Coldplay and U2.
Based on the first chapter of Genesis, it also has a double meaning. The name of the song recognizes God’s hand in creation while also reminding humanity it’s our job to take care of it.
The second release, “You Mean the World” by MŌRIAH, is a soulful ballad with stringed instrumentation by Andrew Bergthold of We the Kingdom.
Caring for the vulnerable
Recognizing the importance of taking care of the vulnerable and unprotected, she said her heart aches for the times she didn’t take that seriously.
“‘You mean the world to me’ is typically something I’d say to my family or a child. This is the same delicate care I want to attribute to the earth and its Creator.
“One of the few things that unites every person on this planet is that our feet are all planted on the same spinning miracle. By nurturing nature, we’re caring for each other,” MŌRIAH said.
Switching to hip-hop, the third release was “Together” by Aaron Cole. He based his song on Matthew 18:20 and focused on unity.
“If we all just came together, what would that look like? What does this mean for me to come together, come alongside the people around me and my community on this Earth?” Cole asked.
As of this writing, Phil Joel’s song, “Arms Around the World,” was released last. With an acoustic-based, Indie-pop style, it’s especially meaningful since he was raised in New Zealand where conservation is a part of everyday life.
Making conversation
Joel believes that simply because the “loudest, angriest voices” get the publicity doesn’t mean that we need to ignore the issue. Comparing it to a parent asking a child to clean up his room, Joel believes Christians want to be involved in “cleaning up the room at large” but simply don’t know how.
“The reality is that most everyday, hardworking Americans who love God, love their family and love this country want to look after the environment,” Joel said. “They just don’t know how to do it. That’s why we’re having these conversations – in hopes that this music will stir that conversation.”
Roy learned through this experience that “people who love the Lord and have differing perspectives can actually cooperate together to do something great and ask, ‘How do we honor God while at the same time bring attention to this subject matter that we feel like is meaningful and matters?’
“I think as I get older, I look forward to sitting at a table [with those] who may have a different mindset than me because I feel like they’ll grow and I’ll grow, and we’ll learn something together and something beautiful will come out of it.
“It’s cool to see that beautiful art can come out of deep and meaningful conversations from people who have different perspectives.”
To find out more about “A New Heaven and A New Earth,” go to linktr.ee/newheavennewearth and instagram.com/newheavennewearthsongs/.
Share with others: