Life After Death (TobyMac album) explained

Life After Death
Type:studio
Cover:TobyMac - Life After Death.png
Artist:TobyMac
Recorded:2019–2022
Length:51:02
Label:ForeFront
Prev Title:Live in Denver
Prev Year:2021

Life After Death is the ninth studio album by American singer TobyMac, released on August 19, 2022, on ForeFront Records. It is his sixth album to top the Billboard Christian Albums chart.[1] The album's third single, "Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight)", peaked at number three on the Hot Christian Songs chart.[2] It is his last album to feature his live musician and background singer Gabe Real before Real's death on April 12th, 2024, from cancer.[3]

Background

TobyMac claimed that this was his most emotional album that he ever recorded. In October 2019, his eldest son Truett died after an accidental drug overdose. TobyMac said, "I immediately went to write, because that's what I know to do when I'm in so much pain. You go to [write] what you know, what you love and what brings you peace. I immediately started writing – and I wrote '21 Years'. Then I wrote a song called 'Faithfully', and I wrote 'Everything About You' in the first few months after Truett passed."[4]

Singles

"21 Years" was released on January 9, 2020, and is about TobyMac's son Truett Foster, who died a couple months prior, at the age of 21. The song peaked at number three on the US Hot Christian Songs Chart.[5]

"I'm Sorry (A Lament)" was released on March 10, 2020. The song peaked at number 25 on the US Hot Christian Songs Chart.[6]

"Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight)" was released on February 19, 2021. The song peaked at number three on the US Hot Christian Songs Chart.[7]

"Promised Land" was released on September 17, 2021. The song peaked at number nine on the US Hot Christian Songs Chart. The song featured pop rock artist Sheryl Crow on the OG Collab version.[8] [9] [10]

"The Goodness" was released on June 2, 2022. The song featured new artist Blessing Offor, and peaked at number one on the US Hot Christian Songs Chart. This song was then performed at the 53rd GMA Dove Awards.[11] [12]

"Cornerstone" was released on February 17, 2023. The song features CCM artist Zach Williams.[13]

"Faithfully" was released on September 29, 2023.

Critical reception

Life After Death received mostly positive ratings from critics. Jesus Freak Hideout said of the album, " With a lyrical cohesion and an almost theatrical community feel throughout, Life After Death is a tough album (if you understand the sad context of it) that nevertheless gives hope...is well worth your time, and shows that in Christ, believers 'do not weep as those who have no hope.' Tragedy is not the end of the story."[14] Giving the album a perfect 5, 365 Days of Inspiring Media said that the album was “very powerful, heartfelt, compelling, and challenging, while also laced in the joyfulness colliding with lament and sorrow that comes after a death of a loved one. It’s knowing the promise of God while still reconciling how it looks like, this side of eternity. And that is what is seen all through Toby’s album, and it’s been a blast to listen to it."[15] AllMusic's Marcy Donelson rated the album 4 out of 5, stating that "[TobyMac's] eventual ninth album, Life After Death, finds the genre-blurring Christian artist navigating the aftermath [of his son's death] alongside a slew of guests with a poignant mix of warm appreciations and invigorated motivational song."[16] JubileeCast gave 4 out of 5 and said, "Though not perfect, the album does have many powerful moments. Most importantly, this is an honest set of songs. TobyMac doesn't give us recycled answers to the problem of suffering. Rather, using the space of 15 songs, he works with us through these issues. Reflective of life, there are some downers as well as some sparks of joy and hope."[17] New Release Today's Average NRTeam rating was 2 out of 5.[18]

Accolades

Year-end lists
PublicationAccoladeRank
2022 Staff Picks: Christopher Smith's Album Picks5
2022 Staff Picks: Alex Caldwell's Album Picks4

Commercial performance

The album peaked at number 34 on the US Billboard 200 and number 1 on the Top Christian Albums chart with 16,000 album-equivalent units.[20] [21]

Album credits

Credits adapted from liner notes.[22]

Charts

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for Life After Death
Chart (2022)Position
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[23] 44
Chart (2023)Position
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[24] 16

Notes and References

  1. tobyMac Chart History: Christian Albums . Billboard . November 17, 2018.
  2. tobyMac Chart History: Christian Songs . Billboard . November 17, 2018.
  3. https://gospelmusic.org/news/remembering-the-life-of-gabe-patillo
  4. Price . Deborah Evans . 2022-08-18 . TobyMac on Creating an Unflinching Album About His Son's Death: 'This Is a Really Honest Look at My Journey' . 2022-09-05 . Billboard . en-US.
  5. Web site: Willman . Chris . 2020-01-11 . Toby Mac Shares Grief Over Son's Death in '21 Years' Music Video (Watch) . 2023-04-02 . Variety . en-US.
  6. Web site: Clarks . Jessie . 2020-10-03 . TobyMac Releases Poignant New Single "I'm Sorry (A Lament)" . 2023-04-02 . TCB . en-US.
  7. Web site: TobyMac Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight) . 2023-04-02 . www.multitracks.com . en.
  8. Web site: TobyMac Releases New Single, "Promised Land" . 2023-04-02 . Capitol Christian Music Group . en-US.
  9. Web site: Clarks . Jessie . 2022-01-07 . TobyMac & Sheryl Crow Re-Imagine "Promised Land" With New Collab . 2023-04-02 . TCB . en-US.
  10. Web site: Law . Jeannie Ortega . Reporter . Christian Post . 2022-01-12 . Sheryl Crow featured on TobyMac's Christian single 'Promised Land' . 2023-04-02 . The Christian Post . en-US.
  11. Asker . Jim . 2022-09-22 . TobyMac & Blessing Offor's 'The Goodness' Hits No. 1 on Christian Airplay Chart . 2023-04-02 . Billboard . en-US.
  12. Web site: Countdown . 20 the . 2022-10-28 . TobyMac Performs At GMA Dove Awards • . 2023-04-02 . 20 The Countdown Magazine - Listener Line 1-888-535-2020 . en-US.
  13. Web site: Clarks . Jessie . 2023-02-17 . TobyMac & Zach Williams Partner On Radio Edit Of "Cornerstone" . 2023-04-02 . TCB . en-US.
  14. Web site: Caldwell. Alex. TobyMac, "Life After Death" Review.
  15. Web site: Andre. Jonathan. TobyMac - Life After Death - 365 Days of Inspiring Media. August 19, 2022 .
  16. Web site: Donelson. Marcy. TobyMac - Life After Death Album Reviews, Songs & More. .
  17. Web site: Yap. Timothy. TobyMac "Life After Death" Album Review. October 2, 2014 .
  18. Web site: New Release Today. Life After Death by TobyMac - CD Reviews and Information.
  19. Web site: All the Winners at the 2023 Grammy Awards . . February 9, 2023 . February 6, 2023.
  20. Asker . Jim . tobyMac's 'Life After Death' & 'The Goodness' Rule Christian Album & Song Charts . Billboard . 2022-08-31 . 2023-06-10.
  21. tobyMac . 2022-09-05 . Billboard . en-US.
  22. Web site: TobyMac - Life After Death Lyrics and Tracklist. Genius. February 20, 2023.
  23. Top Christian Albums – Billboard . . Year-End Chart . December 4, 2022.
  24. Top Christian Albums – Billboard . . Year-End Chart . February 11, 2024.

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