Not Ashamed merges the best of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) with strong influences of rock on their latest single “In Spirit and Truth.” Opening with magnetic and lively bagpipes that transport you to the rocky cliffs of Scotland or Ireland, “In Spirit and Truth” seems to take you higher with every bar. With rich electric guitar and powerful vocals Not Ashamed reinvents what rock worship can sound like. Not Ashamed’s crisp and classic rock vocals shows off the groups artistry and desire to push the genre. “In Spirit and Truth” is a powerful anthem of worship and devotion mixed with everything you love about rock music.
Immediately the production of “In Spirit and Truth” stands out to me. From the sound of the bagpipes to the vocals sounding like a live performance of the track, “In Spirit and Truth’s” message is amplified. The guitar riff’s, drums, and backing vocals seem to echo throughout “In Spirit and Truth” creating a texture of vastness in the track. It really sounds like Not Ashamed is performing for a stadium which lends itself to the power of the song and its lyrics. The more I listened to “In Spirit and Truth” the more I could see it being sung by a large group. The way the vocals swell and elongate during the chorus makes you want to sing-a-long. “In Spirit and Truth” is packed with feeling and with a love for music that is palpable from beginning to end.
While the bagpipes set the scene for “In Spirit and Truth” by drawing you in with their distinct sound, its the electric guitar that gives this track so much life. The moment the guitar comes in,“In Spirit and Truth” is automatically elevated into a CCM rock anthem. The long guitar riffs match the stretched out vocals in the chorus creating a feeling of devotion. The decision to include the electric guitar speaks to Not Ashamed’s artistry and their goal to take CCM out of its box. It also gives “In Spirit and Truth” a larger than life quality that you can’t miss. I noticed there’s no drumbeat to keep the track steady, instead, Not Ashamed opts for real drums that contribute to the “In concert” sounds that “In Spirit and Truth” has. I also appreciated the inclusion of a guitar solo that celebrates how much Not Ashamed loves music and the power of the guitar when its in the spotlight.
“In Spirit and Truth” is a masterfully crafted song that is made up of many layers. From the heartfelt beat of the drums, the undercurrent of the bagpipes, and the enlivened electric guitar, this track takes you on a journey. All of these elements converge to complement the powerful lyrics in the chorus, “Holy is lord of all creation/Honor glory and praise unto your name.” Female backing vocals echo the lyrics adding to the dynamic nature of “In Spirit and Truth.” I impressed with how this track evolves into something larger than life. The bagpipes open “In Spirit and Truth” by transporting you elsewhere with their low and unique sound that feels intimate and personal. By the end of “In Spirit and Truth” you feel like Not Ashamed is singing to a stadium. The way “In Spirit and Truth” seems to gain musical momentum and feeling is something that makes this track so unique.
Not Ashamed’s quest to take CCM out of its box is working and then some. “In Spirit and Truth” celebrates music itself along with Christian faith. Its clear Not Ashamed has a vision for where CCM can go and what it can be,“In Spirit and Truth” is proof of that. I’m thoroughly impressed by Not Ashamed’s original artistry and their ability to make guitars sing. The amount of care that went into this track is undeniable. “In Spirit and Truth” promises a bright future for CCM and Not Ashamed. “In Spirit and Truth” has me wondering where they’ll take their sound on their upcoming album, the future is wide open for Not Ashamed.
Claire Uebelacker