Pat Barrett — “Pat Barrett” Album Review

Pat Barrett
Pat Barrett
(Capitol Christian Music Group)

The first lines of Pat Barrett’s new self-titled album are quiet and contemplative, but they hit like a ton of bricks, “I’ve never been good at change/ If I’m honest, it’s always scared me.” What follows is a journey through doubt and faith. From the first track, “Into Faith I Go,” the flagship artist of Chris Tomlin’s new record label proves himself to be profoundly honesty and spiritually deep.

Casual observers could write Barrett off as just another worship artist, but there’s a spark in the way he infuses his songs with personal longing and difficult wrestling. That’s not to say that there aren’t Sunday morning anthems here. “Build My Life” is a powerful declaration of the authority of Jesus that would be at home in any congregational setting, and “My Hallelujah” is the kind of song you’ll want to belt out at the top of your lungs.

You can come for the huge songs, but it’s the quiet ones that will leave you speechless. Pat Barrett is the kind of record that will find its way into your earbuds and stay there for a long time. There are depths to mine on this album and the journey is incredibly rewarding.

—John Barber