Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


Jonathan Thulin, The White Room
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Jonathan Thulin
The White Room



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Pop / Electronic Pop
Album length: 10 tracks: 46 minutes, 1 second
Street Date: October 19, 2012


Jonathan Thulin is one of those artists who has been around for a while, but has only recently received any significant exposure. The White Room comes closely on the heels of 2011's Anatomy of a Heartflow, a solid album which presented several great songs, including the worship anthem "Jesus, You're All I Need." With such a short time span between the two projects, one might ask how much significant development could even be possible. The surprising answer is "quite a lot."

The White Room begins with a slow, vocal-driven verse on "Masquerade," but with the drop of a beat, the melody takes off into a darker, pop-based dance track. The lyrics pose a hauntingly honest examination of the 'masquerade' Christians so easily fall into: "We are wearing a mask in the truth parade; we are waving our flags upholding this charade. Will these masks ever come off?"

The album's second single, "Dead Come to Life," features Charmaine, an artist of days past until recently. The duet is effective and sharp, providing listeners with a clear presentation of God's redeeming power with lines such as, "You're calling me 'cause only with You the dead come to life." "Coat of Arms" is a good track, but it relies a little too heavily on the electronic sounds and is somewhat unmemorable. Thulin grows more personal on "Graveyard," arguably one of the album's best tracks. Reflecting on a broken relationship, he asks the cutting question, "did you lose any sleep over this at all? Now I'm just another headstone in your graveyard," and lament rings throughout his impassioned vocals when he cries out to God, "can You raise me from the dead and lay my heart to rest so I can love again?"

"Bombs Away," The White Room's first single, is the strongest track on the album. The song features yet another guest appearance, this time Rachael Lampa. Dealing with the heavy topic of how sin damages and scars our hearts, the formation of a darker piece is almost inevitable. The song nearly drowns itself in a melancholic atmosphere, bearing a flat melody line and flowing orchestra. Only when Lampa exhibits her powerful vocals does the song climax, bringing the listener to a decidedly reflective place. The music video for this song is also incredible, showcasing the song's message in a chilling fashion. "Love / War" is a good song, but is lost via awkward placement, and "Torches" does an excellent job of portraying Thulin's most powerful vocal performance yet. The lyrical meaning of the song is ambiguous, but he sings the words so intensely that little doubt can be left as to its personal nature.

The worshipful lyrics of "I Am Nothing" form an exceptional song, "'Cause I'm nothing without You inside of me; I'm incomplete, so I need you now," and "Soon" (featuring Edlen) follows suit, this time with a second voice, creating a mysteriously beautiful duet.

All closing tracks need to have a special sound or theme in order to properly frame an album, and Thulin once again does this masterfully. "Peeta" (yes, this actually is a Hunger Games reference) is able to effectively capture a redemptive temperament, and ardently defines The White Room's firm presentation of this message. The lines, "don't you want to go? Show them what you're made of, anything for freedom! May the odds be in your favorite tonight … as you change the world" dramatically close out the passionate album.

The White Room is one of the year's best albums, providing sincere, worshipful lyrics, a powerful message, and passionate vocals. It would be a dishonor to pass this album by without it first landing a listen or two in your music player.

- Review date: 2/2/14, written by David Craft of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

 

. Record Label: DREAM Records
. Album length: 10 tracks: 46 minutes, 1 second
. Street Date: October 19, 2012
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Masquerade (4:41)
  2. Dead Come to Life (feat. Charmaine) (3:43)
  3. Coat of Arms (4:15)
  4. Graveyard (4:21)
  5. Bombs Away (feat. Rachael Lampa) (4:44)
  6. Love / War (4:43)
  7. Torches (5:16)
  8. I Am Nothing (5:15)
  9. Soon (feat. Edlen) (4:19)
  10. Peeta (4:44)

 

Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images