TobyMac 'Eye'M All Mixed Up' Review: Remix Album Delivers by Giving 'Eye On It' Tracks New Life [ALBUM REVIEW]

TobyMac

Christian music pioneer TobyMac has reinvented himself yet again with his upcoming Eye On It remix album, Eye'M All Mixed Up, which will be released November 4. BREATHEcast received an advance copy to review and it does not disappoint. 

Opening the album is "Eye On It (Phenomenon Remix)" which was mixed by former Family Force 5 vocalist Soul Glow Activatur. The track was already danceable, but this version takes it to the max with some pulsing beats added to his infectious single. The song's structure gets rearranged and turns into a pretty cool alternate. 

"Forgiveness (Neon Feather Remix)" featuring Lecrae, opens the melody of the song up into a more lively instrumental. This remix adds a lot of depth to the song and turns it more into an anthem. The original version was very laid back during the verses and had a pretty light chorus. 

"Speak Life (Telemitry Remix)" almost completely changed the song around and makes it really fun with the slight background synth-like orchestra sounds. Toby's harmonies also sound very good on this track and really stand out.

The next track, "Me Without You" remixed by Capital Kings, takes on a bit of a dubstep feel to it with drops and big echoed drum patterns. There is a few pumped up breakdowns as well, that make the song sound huge. 

"Steal My Show (Jack Shocklee Remix)" is simplified in the beginning of the song, even more so than the original before it is opened up into more of a house beat in the chorus. The song has added effects on the vocals, a couple of booms and claps. It overall picks up the tempo of the original.

The next track, "Unstoppable Phenomenon Remix)" by Soul Glow Activatur and featuring Blanca is already known as a high powered song, and this remix does the same thing in a completely different way. Soul Glow managed to take an already club banger type song and push it into left field with southern style beats and all sorts of synth percussion which works wonderfully.

TobyMac
(Photo : The M Collective)

"Lose Myself (Capital Kings Remix)" takes a slow song and picks it up a bit. This version is more airy with the vocals and takes liberties with the effects in Toby's projection and tone. These added features work well for the song. 

Up next is another version of "Eye On It" which is remixed by Kaveman. This track follows the original order of the song, but adds the most unique touch of music in the two. The vocals are broken down in a Daft Punk sort of way giving the song a very electronic sound. This is definitely one of the better remixes on the album.

The next song kind of has a down south country folk feel to it. It matches Toby's country boy roots while paying homage to his beginnings. "Thankful For You (Thunderbird Remix)"  is completely different than the original right off the bat. On Eye On It, it stood out as one of the only songs without a hint of EDM feel, and this album it gets some nice synth, but loses a bit of the charm created in the backstory.

In "Mac Daddy (Tru's Reality)" remixed by Telemitry, Toby's son gets his every album crack at a song. The song has a similar feel, but has more crunch and pop in the instrumentals that turns the beat up. Toward the end the song there is a bridge with some crazy drops followed by a good buildup.

The final track is another mix of "Me Without You (Telemitry Remix)." This take is super pulse heavy with the bass and rhythm. While the first remix of this song had a huge open feel, this one is tighter and more packed with sound.

Overall Eye'M All Mixed Up does a great job of changing up the songs from their original versions and turning the album from catchy pop/hip-hop influenced tunes to a straight up dance/EDM album. One of the only complaints is that tracks 4, 5, 7, and 11 can already be heard on the Eye On It Deluxe version. Also the songs "Family" and "Favorite Song" were left off the remix album. This was odd especially since "Family" was remixed by Jamie Moore on the deluxe edition.

However, with that being said, TobyMac and his amazing team of producers made another great record that keeps in the tradition of remixing his albums.

TobyMac
(Photo : Facebook : James Fortune)

Eye On It, released in 2012, won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album and took home a Dove Award for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. Eye On It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 which at the time made Toby only one of four Christian artists to ever do it.

After the release of this album Toby will embark on the "Worship, Stories, & Songs Tour" featuring Matt Maher and Ryan Stevenson on November 6.