Tye Tribbett: Consistently Different
It's always something to marvel at when those artists deemed creative continue to innovate and create while maintaining their popularity. More often than not, one of two things happen, the artist's creativity pushes beyond what the people are willing to accept or the artist's creativity does not keep pace with changing preferences. Tye Tribbett released his seventh studio album last week All Things New. I would say he falls in the rare third category. Where he consistently pushes boundaries and sets new benchmarks and still is relatable to his audience. He has remained consistently different, which is no easy task.
With close to 20 years in the music industry under his belt, Tribbett is still on top of his game. His first release Life was a genre-shifting piece. And in the ultra-conservative gospel music industry, that is a monumental feat. He has managed to produce projects that cover all ranges of the spectrum. From his signature high-energy songs of praise to the intimate moments of worship. While all of the songs are seasoned with relatable aspects of a life lived in front of the whole world to witness. Including the low points like the shocking death of an original choir member to challenges in his marriage.
The tone of this project is set from the very moment you see the cover art. It features Tye sitting in what one could describe as an old speaker in front of a room of old media such as cassettes, VHS tapes, and tube televisions. The contradiction is clear- the old is being made new. He presents himself as a contradiction in a suit split in contrasting colors, half orange, and half black. These are the types of small details that I think elevate this project above his prior offerings. This album includes an exceptional roster of features including Kiera Sheard, Mali Music, Tim Bowman Jr, Issac Caree, and Jekalyn Carr among others.
This album is buoyed by the two top singles that were released over the past couple of years. First the “remix” “Be Alright”, is Tribbett’s take on the song by Kendrick Lamar from 2015. Being released during the height of the Covid Pandemic as a new anthem of hope during a time of despair and uncertainty for many. This song combines a calming and soothing strings intro before a rhythmic drum beat kicks in that doesn't overpower but balances out the track. Then there is the hit “Anyhow (Hallelujah)”, a proclamation of steadfast faithfulness that preserves through all situations “until my night turns to day”. The production on this track beautifully matches the theme, in its stripped-down simplicity. A simple rift from the guitar, hand claps, minimal drums, cymbals, and keys.
While these are clearly heavy rotation worthy, the remainder of the album carries its own weight. I must begin with what to me is the most outstanding track “Walk By Faith” ft. PJ Morton. This song is bursting with soulfulness. It's reminiscent of Sam Cooke’s gospel recordings with the Soul Stirrers. PJ Morton embodies that soul and smoothness within a gospel frame that is unmatched. It serves as a reminder to not let emotions cloud our view of reality. “I will not fret all because of whose hand I hold…. Feelings come and go, So why in the world would I let them have control?” The latest single “New” is vintage Tribbett demonstrating the fusion of a praise song with a trap music beat and the high energy you would expect from the artist. Right in the middle of the album rests his signature worship track on “Saviour” ft. Tim Bush brings an angelic presence to the project with a 10-minute run time.
With All Things New, Tribbett is still doing what we have come to expect from him. It's hard to say at this point that he is challenging a genre when he has consistently done that with each offering throughout his career. No, it’s more like the excitement of watching an artist grow into a new version of who they always were. Tye Tribbett is consistently different and consistently new.