|PIC1|Two years after winning a Dove Award at the 2004 Gospel Music Awards, the band ‘Downhere’ returns with their best album yet. With the help of two talented producers Mark Hiemermann (DC Talk, Michael W. Smith) and Greg Collins (U2, Gwen Stefani), the impressive Wide-Eyed and Mystified was born. And it certainly is another worthy-to-be-awarded album.

Let’s put it this way. If I could give this album six stars out of five, I definitely would. Instrumentally, vocally, and especially lyrically, the 13 tracks deliver a powerful and relevant message to listeners. And if the music is extremely pleasing to the ear, it’s even more pleasing to the heart.

Songs like “The Real Jesus” allows listeners to connect with Jesus in a ‘downhere’ level. As many are keen to know who the real Jesus is - especially in England, where one child at Christmas time asked why Jesus was named after a swear word - lead singer Marc Martel aimed to depict different views of Jesus in the song. The chorus Oh could anybody show me, the real Jesus? rings so earnestly that any believer would want to answer that question. The song is creatively structured with a catchy opening Jesus on the radio, Jesus on the late night show. This song is definitely an unforgettable one.

“I Will Follow Your Voice,” sung and written by co-vocalist Jason Germain, challenges believers to follow God’s voice in the midst of an uncertain world with thousands of other distracting voices. Jason sings that although he hears the debates, advice of cynics, and messages of heroes, he will follow God’s voice. It’s a strong reminder and encouragement for believers to hold onto their identity as Christians.

Although each song in the album carries different themes - such as racism (“1000 Miles Apart”), forgiveness (“Forgive Yourself”), and spiritual thirst (“Dying to Know You”) - they all equally succeed in highlighting relevant issues in lives of Christians.

All in all, the whole album feels like a good daydream— one that gets you to think a step deeper and take action to share Jesus’ love.

Wide-Eyed and Mystified is definitely a God-glorifying piece of art.