Following his debut album, Trying to Fit the Ocean in a Cup, Josh Wilson offers a collection of songs with not only catchy melodies but also lyrical messages with depth. Wilson views songwriting as a responsibility he does not take lightly. And though listeners may find it hard to believe, Wilson says it doesn’t come easy for him.
“Songwriting is hard work, and I’ll procrastinate,” he admits. “Melodies come to me a lot easier than words, but lyrics are where the weight of the song is. The melody may stick in someone’s head, but eventually they are going to start thinking about the words.”
Wilson believes he is called to challenge and encourage the church. “I want to make people think, particularly about why they believe what they believe,” he says. “As soon as your faith is challenged, that is when you’ll realize that Sunday school answers are not enough. Hopefully I can encourage people to dig deeper into their faith.”
The worshipful opener “Sing” is a lighthearted declaration of praise for what God has done. “Listen” has a fun melody, but Wilson puts himself (and ultimately us) on the spot and asks himself why he is unable to “shut my mouth and let You speak.” This track reminds us that we have to learn to listen to what God is saying.
The ballad “Do You Want to Know” issues a strong challenge to believers. It asks us to pray for a heart of sympathy but then warns us: “Be careful what you ask Him for / ‘Cause if you’re gonna open up that door / There’s no going back to before.” If we ask God to help us see the world as Jesus sees it, we must be prepared for Him to answer that prayer. We will see people in a new light and we will have a responsibility to meet their needs.
Wilson has created an album with multiple musical influences that include pop, folk and rock ‘n’ roll. But even more important, his songs will help believers reflect on their faith and respond. Life Is Not a Snapshot is proof that Wilson is answering his call to encourage and challenge the church.
Click here to purchase Life Is Not a Snapshot.
