Air1 listeners were the first to hear Jon Reddick’s sophomore effort, “No Fear,” when the global worship network exclusively premiered select songs from the highly anticipated project in the days leading up to its official release.
Several of the album’s 13 tracks deliver the deeply moving vertical worship Reddick has quickly become known for since his 2022 debut, “God, Turn It Around.” Yet, “No Fear” also serves up a host of diverse material that expands Reddick’s footprint as an artist.
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Beyond his longtime tenure as a worship leader at Church of the City in Franklin, Tenn., Reddick beautifully embodies the term “artist” on his second LP. He hand-painted the artwork that fronts the album’s stark cover. Additionally, the instrumental intro finds the singer-songwriter experimenting with a wide spectrum of sonic textures as he attempts to soundtrack God’s creative spirit on “Creation Imagined.”
Across the baker’s dozen, Reddick chases down anxiety with the power of Scripture and a firm belief in the sovereignty of God. The piano-led, acoustic-grounded “Just That Good” finds the recording artist leaning on the promises of the Lord and His past faithfulness to predict how He will show up in the future. A choir joins Reddick on the faith-affirming selection as he produces a vocal that makes you believe every word.
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Confessional and repentant, “I Choose You” affirms the daily act of surrender that accompanies the Christian life. Meanwhile, the reverent, cross-focused “What A Love” marvels at the expansive sacrifice of Jesus via a powerful ballad Reddick previously released on Good Friday.
“Yield,” an immediate standout, is perhaps the collection’s most Sunday-morning-setlist ready. An open-handed song of concession, the slow-burning offering radiates a “not mine, but Your will be done” perspective.
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Former singles “Don’t Fight Alone,” inspired by the great cloud of witnesses mentioned in Hebrews 12:1; and “I Believe It (The Life of Jesus),” which Reddick penned after a trip to the Holy Land, serve up originals that bring out the storyteller in the Memphis native. While more pop-leaning in nature, these selections can also easily be sung in a church setting.
What fans never saw coming, however, was the project’s title cut — a foot-stomping, Americana-inflected anthem that’s helped countless listeners defeat anxiety since it dropped. The surprise hit landed Reddick his first No. 1. A collaborative version with We The Kingdom and a live recording of “No Fear” close the album, concluding the set on a triumphant note.
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Not only does Reddick explore uncharted folk territory on “No Fear,” but he also traverses R&B terrain on “Working It Out.” With a smooth vocal and a memorable electric guitar solo, the innovative worship leader offers an ’80s-tinged nod to Romans 8:28: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
For Reddick’s loyal fans, “No Fear” might come as an unexpected listen with some unforeseen detours in terms of sonic direction. However, his latest endeavor will undoubtedly broaden his audience as he stretches his musical wings in search of a middle ground that melds both his experience as a worship leader and his various artistic expressions. “No Fear” is a fearless leap for Reddick in terms of growth and development as a true recording artist; and in the meantime, it’s also given us one of the year’s biggest weapons to fight worry.
