Last year, CCM veteran Matthew West released what some might consider his magnum opus, My Story, Your Glory, a massive double album showcasing West's wide range of talent. From heartfelt, story-driven songs to worshipful tunes ready for radio, My Story was an impressive feat in West's storied career. One might think that after such an undertaking, West would take his time between records. But that is not the case, as 2024 finds him releasing a brand new, 12-track album in the form of Don't Stop Praying.

What made My Story, Your Glory a compelling album was the way it neatly split into the two camps of what West does best. Disc 1 was the less-radio friendly, story-centered songs, while disc 2 provided the radio material. Don't Stop Praying feels like the leftovers of disc 2. The sound is decidedly more country-influenced, and its themes are distinct enough from its predecessor, yet it still has this feeling of being more of a collection of radio tracks and less like a cohesive album. What makes this worse is the amount of clichéd ideas being tossed around. A casual scan through the tracklist makes this evident with song titles like the title track, "Last Page of the Bible," "Chosen," "My Why," "Life is Good," or (most egregiously) "Breakthrough's Coming." Thus, Don't Stop Praying feels like an album without an original thought.

There are a few bright moments, however. "18 Summers" delivers the sweet, saccharine goodness of West talking about family life and the passage of time. "The Place Only We Know" and the closer, "To Be With Jesus," present a more intimate side of West's faith. While the record may feel a little randomly thrown together, West's premier songwriting skills keep it from becoming too forgettable. In spite of its tire cover title, "Life is Good" is a good, fun track. Also the emphasis on faith and God's love in songs like the title track and "Chosen" are encouraging in their own right. Matthew West is perhaps one of the few songwriters out there who can take a handful of clichés and make something interesting of them. It doesn't wholly salvage the album, but it goes a long way toward making it more listenable than what some counterparts could produce.

All of these factors combine to make Don't Stop Praying a mixed bag. Yes, it's a little bit of a letdown after the previous album, but it's not a total loss. There are some signature Matthew West earworms on here, as well as some cleverly written lyrics. Longtime fans will likely enjoy the record for what it is, while more casual listeners will give it a pass. It's certainly not West's strongest offering, but it at least maintains a certain level of quality all his albums contain. Don't Stop Praying is top tier CCM while landing mid-tier for artistic merit. The listener's tastes will determine how palatable they'll find that.

- Review date: 10/2/24, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com