Endless Highway’s musical journey has been one to watch for many years. Starting off as The Joylanders with multiple generations creating authentic Southern Gospel music coupled with an acoustic roots and bluegrass feel, the group rebranded as Endless Highway several years ago and have been making big moves in the industry ever since.
The group’s previous release, Come Home, featured a bevy of inspirational tracks that rocked back and forth between a progressive country sound and traditional Southern Gospel. It landed the group an AGM Award for Country/Roots Recording of the Year in 2022 and several chart-topping singles. Their follow-up to Come Home, This Is the Moment, has a similar feel musically that has some really nice gems that radio and concert-goers should eat up.
The album kicks off with an energetic traditional tune “This Is the Moment” with a fully orchestrated track. Dixie Phillips, Rachel McCutcheon, and Helga Kaefer penned this Allison feature that is probably a fantastic concert opener. “Love Carried the Cross,” the first radio single, is a traditional ballad originally recorded by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. Radio DJs are probably eating this up, but the track drags a bit too slow for my taste.
“Not the Same” picks things up with a nice horn accompaniment. This up-beat track would make a nice single and shows energetic vocal nuances from Jay on the second verse. “What God Can Do” is a catchy progressive number not unlike what you’d hear from groups like Sisters or The Martins. The catchy piano track makes it an album highlight. Another highlight includes the genre-busting “The End” which was written by Joseph Habedank, Wayne Haun, and Tony Wood. Jay does a fantastic job taking on this pop-infused progressive tune.
The album closes with a cover of Keith & Kristyn Getty’s “In Christ Alone.” This modern hymn has been covered by countless groups and has become a classic in the church, so no doubt the familiarity of the tune is alone a highlight for concert attendees. Their cover features some nice unison lines and a great build up to end the recording on a high note.
Overall, This Is the Moment finds Endless Highway fitting more on the progressive side of the Southern Gospel spectrum. This reviewer wishes they would’ve tackled a few more country influences like on previous works, as the group really shines in that arena. That however doesn’t take away from the great work that This Is the Moment really is. This recording should help continue the upward trajectory the group is currently on.
Producer: Wayne Haun
Record Label: Sonlite Records/Crossroads Music Group
Website: www.endlesshighway.org
