Clapping, chanting, cheering, the pounding of a bass and the lyrical hum of the phrase “Child of God” are what welcomes listeners to the first 15 seconds of Forrest Frank’s latest album, Child of God II. The two minutes and nine seconds that follow are dedicated not to music but to a casual, unscripted telephone conversation between Frank and his grandfather. His choice to open his album this way is a testament to not only his authenticity, but his faith and zeal. It invokes a sense of meaning beyond notes and lyrics, and whether the listener agrees with his various positions on religion and life, Franks ability to stir passion in his listeners is universal.
The Child of God II tour, in which Frank traveled to 26 locations across the U.S. and Canada, provided a lot of the hype for the release of this album. Not only was it a way for Frank to further his mission, but in several of his songs he used recorded crowd audio from a concert. The rhythmic chant of the crowd can be heard in the introduction and closing of “ENCORE,” as well as throughout the chorus of “NO L’s”. Listeners almost feel as if they’re standing on concrete, hands in the air, singing along with Frank at the concert themselves. Whether they’re listening to a speaker at full volume or with one AirPod in, the atmosphere this effect creates is rousing.
The timeless strum of a guitar, tropical piano and vocals, and Franks typical tap-your-toes basslines all make their way into the album. Songs like “B.I.G.” reflect his more typical mix of pop and R&B, while “PARADISE” and “HOME” give it a new twist. Listening to these was like sipping a glass of lemonade in the summer: refreshing, satisfying, and most of all, gratifying. Frank consistently chooses topics that satisfy the audience, and rather than focusing on breakups and teenage angst, he sings about hope, joy, and a celebration of life’s pleasures.
Although his artistic approach may be subject to experimentation, Frank’s mission is not. From the lyrics “I’ve got my family, Jesus and my health, and if I got all that I really don’t need nothing else” in “NOTHING ELSE” to the words “I was lost, but now I’m found, trapped in darkness ‘til you came around” in “NO L’s,” Child of God II is not only a musical experience, but an encounter with the heart and passion of Forrest Frank himself.
