From one of the world’s most celebrated inspirational music duos, this for KING & COUNTRY album delivers on nearly every front, as expected. With tight songwriting, bombastic production, and consistently upbeat and reaffirming lyrics, Unsung Hero is a joyous and present listening journey.
A Nashville-based duo, for KING & COUNTRY is composed of brothers Luke and Joel Smallbone, a multi-platinum and four-time GRAMMY-winning act who are responsible for massive, worldwide hits. Unsung Hero is the soundtrack album for a movie following the story of Helen and David Smallbone as they move from Australia to the States, settle down and try to find their fortunes. The music that is spurred from the movie is undeniably energetic and grand, full of drama and flamboyance, but with its fair share of soft and introspective times. Pop country by definition, the music is produced to the highest standards, with mixes that are balanced to a flawless extent.
The album starts with 2 immediate hits that establish the heady, energetic, and explosive sense of optimism that is going to define the rest of the music. ‘You’re The Voice’ and ‘Place In This World’ are melodic and massive, with immediate hooks, sonorous vocal melodies and piano lines, and a medium pace that’s easy to digest. ‘She Believes’ and ‘Checking In’ follow, introducing the album’s mellow and contemplative side, opting for a sparse piano line and a bass-heavy arrangement on the former, and for fingerpicked acoustic rhythm on the latter, which is a very pretty, thoughtful, and stirring song.
‘You Make Everything Beautiful’ is a warm and reassuring song. A lovely piano ballad featuring the remarkable warmth of Rebecca St. James’s voice. A balanced pace governs this drumless marvel. A cinematic piece that’s effervescent and gentle. The title song, ‘Unsung Hero’, features a delightful blend of melancholy with lightness. The chords are mystical, the voice is enchanting, the whole atmosphere is alluring and enticing. One of the album’s stand-out tunes. ‘Lead Me On’ features one of the album’s most exciting build-ups. More magically constructed melodies, this time with syncopated synth lines and a steady groove, the song’s rhythm steadily builds up the pace, taking the song from its humble beginnings to effortlessly flamboyant conclusions.
There’s little to say to describe the level of success for KING & COUNTRY are operating at. A globe-trotting worship music powerhouse whose taste in melody and atmosphere rarely ever misses, and it does not miss here either. The soundtrack for Unsung Hero is a fitting accompaniment for a heartwarming movie, and is a superb musical undertaking.
