MercyMe's 'Welcome to the New' Album Review: Band Ditches Legalistic Christianity for God's 'Free' Gift of Grace

GRAMMY nominated Christian contemporary band MercyMe, release their eighth studio album, Welcome To The New, on Tuesday April 8 and their new album surely reveals the new era the band has entered of ditching their traditional life in legalism and embracing the joy and grace of Jesus Christ.

The album kicks off with the band's anthem title track "Welcome to the New." Lead singer Bart Millard described to Breathecast that growing up in a legalistic church had him constantly working to please God rather then embracing God's free gift of grace.

"Welcome to the New," is an upbeat song in which the group sings of the liberty of not being under legalistic bondage.

"If the message is presented the right way, I can't imagine someone not wanting to be free of legalism and wanting to be free," Millard stated during his interview.

The album continues with the it is "New" theme. Their first single "Shake" has a 70s rock style that really makes it hard not to dance along with, or tap a foot while listening.

"You gotta shake, shake, shake/Like you're changed, changed, changed/Brand new looks so good on you/So shake like you've been changed," the singer sings as the haunting chant, "great God almighty he done changed me," follows.

The album takes on a southern feel with the inspirational tune "Greater." It proceeds to slow down with the heart warming pop tune, "Finish What He Started" in which Millard sings words that revolutionized his life.

"No matter what you've done, grace comes like the flood, there's hope to carry on... No matter what you face, his mercy will not change," he sings. The song is based on Philippians 1:6, as the band plays with echo-y drums, a heavy bass line and infectious guitar riffs behind him.

"A friend of mine came into my life and told me at the perfect time that no matter what I do in life there's nothing I can do good enough to make Christ love me more than He already does," Millard explained about the moment that began to change everything for him. "It was life changing! That's why the album is called Welcome to the New, after 20 years of MercyMe we feel like we're just getting started."

The album goes on with the mid tempo tracks "Flawless," and "Burn Baby Burn," but it is the song "New Lease on life" that showcases the band's departure from their mega hit, "I Can Only Imagine," with a funky rock swag.

"Dear Younger Me" is a Breathecast favorite, as Millard looks back to a younger version of himself and offers advice.

During his interview the singer said, "I've been a Christian since I was 13, so for me to become militant is exactly what the enemy wanted to do... I've learned to be a little more gracious."

Welcome to the New follows in the heels of MercyMe's 2012 Billboard Christian no. 1 album The Hurt and Healer. The new album is a collaboration of the band and producers David Garcia and Ben Glover.

Listen the album preview of MercyMe's album Welcome to the New, below: