Sovereign (album) explained

Sovereign
Type:studio
Artist:Michael W. Smith
Cover:Michael W. Smith_Sovereign.jpg
Recorded:January 2014
Genre:CCM, worship
Length:56:38
Label:Capitol/Sparrow
Producer:Jeremy Edwardson, Seth Mosley, Christopher Stevens, Joshua Silverberg
Prev Title:Hymns
Prev Year:2014
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Sovereign is an album by Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith released on May 13, 2014[1] through Capitol Records.[2] The album debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and at No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart.

The album's first single, "You Won't Let Go", was released digitally on February 4, 2014[3] and it opened at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart.[4] Christian singer Kari Jobe is featured on one of the songs on the album.[5]

Critical reception

Sovereign met with generally positive reception from music critics. At CCM Magazine, Grace S. Aspinwall rated the album four stars out of five, remarking how "Over all, the record shows Smith returning to what he does best [...] ushering listeners into worship", and that "Time has granted a lovely depth to his vocal, which is surrounded by smart, fresh arrangements." Sarah Fine of New Release Tuesday rated the album four stars out of five, observing how "Sovereign is a solid musical representation of Michael W. Smith's growth as an artist in the last decade." At Indie Vision Music, Jonathan Andre rated the album four stars out of five, calling this "a poignant, powerful and prolific" release. Matt Collar of AllMusic rated the album three-and-a-half stars out of five, indicating how "Smith has crafted an earnest and heartfelt recording inspired by his deep faith." At Cross Rhythms, Tim Holden rated the album nine out of ten squares, commenting how "the Michael touch shines through and the quality and passion make this one of the best worship albums for quite a while - very easy to both listen to and worship along with."

Jono Davies of Louder Than the Music rated the album four-and-a-half stars out of five, remarking how Smith "sounding as fresh as he ever has" on this release. At Christian Music Review, Laura Chambers rated the album a 4.9 out of five, writing how the release proves Smith "still has the same desire to write and sing for the glory of God and his audience's good."[6] Joshua Andre of Christian Music Zine rated the album 4.75 out of five, declaring that the release "is his most cohesive and strongest studio effort."[7] At CM Addict, Brianne Bellomy rated the album a perfect five stars, observing how "For old fans, 'Smitty' is truly working at his best", and "For new fans, welcome to music for your soul."

At The Phantom Tollbooth, Michael Dalton rated the album four tocks out of five, writing how the release is Smith's "finest effort in this category" because "These songs are straightforward with restrained artistry, giving them broad appeal." Jim Wilkerson of The Christian Music Review Blog rated the album four stars out of five, saying that "There really isn't a song that I don't like on this album, but I have to say I still wanted to hear more from Michael."[8] At Jesus Freak Hideout, Mark Rice rated the album three stars out of five, cautioning that "The overall result is an album that caters far too much to the mainstream CCM contemporary worship crowd with too little creative appeal outside those confines."

Awards and accolades

This album was No. 11 on the Worship Leaders Top 20 Albums of 2014 list.[9]

The song, "All Arise", was No. 15 on the Worship Leaders Top 20 Songs of 2014 list.[10]

Commercial performance

For the Billboard charting week of May 31, 2014, Sovereign debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200, and it is the highest-charting album in his career.[11] In addition, the album topped the Christian Albums chart, and it reached No. 25 on Digital Albums chart. The album sold slightly less than 16,000 copies in its first week.[11]

Personnel

Group vocals

Production

Chart performance

Singles
YearSingleUS peak chart positions
Christian
[12] 		Christian
Airplay[13] 		Christian
Digital[14] 		Christian
AC[15] 		Christian
Hot AC/CHR[16] 		Christian
Soft AC[17] 		Christian
AC Indicator[18]
2014"You Won't Let Go"131662119412
"Sovereign Over Us"–38–––722
2015"Sky Spills Over"182022––819

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Upcoming Christian Music New Releases . NewReleaseTuesday.com . February 6, 2014.
  2. Web site: Papadatos. Markos. Interview with Michael W. Smith: 'You Won't Let Go'. Digital Journal. March 14, 2014. March 14, 2014.
  3. News: YOU WON'T LET GO - Now Available for Download! . February 4, 2014. Michael W. Smith. February 5, 2014.
  4. Web site: Michael W. Smith - Chart history . Billboard . February 14, 2014.
  5. Web site: Michael W. Smith's 'Sovereign' Releases May 13; His First Worship Album Since 2008 Features Kari Jobe (TRACK LISTING/VIDEO). Christian Music, Christian Music News, BREATHEcast. September 20, 2014.
  6. Web site: Michael W. Smith "Sovereign" . Chambers . Laura . May 8, 2014 . Christian Music Review . May 12, 2014 .
  7. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20140514155222/http://christianmusiczine.com/michael-w-smith-sovereign-review/ . Michael W. Smith – Sovereign (Review) . Andre . Joshua . May 14, 2014 . May 12, 2014 . Christian Music Zine . May 12, 2014 .
  8. Web site: Michael W. Smith: Sovereign . Wilkerson . Jim . May 13, 2014 . The Christian Music Review Blog . May 21, 2014 .
  9. Web site: Worship Leader . Worship Leader (magazine) . Top 20 Albums of 2014 . Worship Leader . August 11, 2015 . November/December 2014 . 66–7.
  10. Worship Leader . Worship Leader (magazine) . Top 20 Songs of 2014 . Worship Leader . November 5, 2015 . November/December 2014 . 64–5.
  11. The Black Keys Earn First No. 1 Album, Michael Jackson Debuts at No. 2. Caulfield. Keith. May 21, 2014. Prometheus Global Media. Billboard. May 23, 2014.
  12. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Michael W. Smith|chart=Christian Songs}} Michael W. Smith Album and Song Chart History - Christian Songs]. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. June 4, 2015.
  13. Michael W. Smith - Chart History. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. June 4, 2015.
  14. Michael W. Smith - Chart History. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. June 4, 2015.
  15. Michael W. Smith - Chart History. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. June 4, 2015.
  16. Michael W. Smith - Chart History. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. June 4, 2015.
  17. Michael W. Smith - Chart History. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. June 4, 2015.
  18. Michael W. Smith - Chart History. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. June 4, 2015.

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