Album Spotlight: “All Is True” by Steven Malcolm is a Raw Showcase of the Reality that Both Brokenness and Blessing Can Be Found Together
Raw honesty, human struggles, and a purpose centered squarely in the message of the gospel supply the artistic inspiration for Steven Malcolm’s latest EP “All Is True”. The delicately nuanced heartbeat of the album lies in the way Malcolm does not shy away from both his past difficulties in addition to God’s good purpose and provision for him. It’s all true: Malcolm’s journey has been painful and difficult, but God’s blessing has always been with him.
Malcolm’s album offers listeners a unique worship experience that takes them through his life’s journey as it breaks down the melodic barriers of traditional sounds typically associated with worship. With the album’s rap and R&B flavor, Malcolm shows us that worship isn’t united by fitting into a specific musical genre, but, rather, it is united by a heart posture that is poised to celebrate God’s hand at work in each chapter of our stories. Through an honest depiction of his personal journey of loss, confusion, wandering, and ultimately a return home to the Lord, Malcolm gives God a gift of worship in this album that provides an experience that will encourage listeners to genuinely look at their own lives and praise God for His hand in every aspect of their stories.
Here’s a breakdown of each track on the “All Is True” EP.
All Is True
“Back in that basement when I was indie on all my grind
Never would I imagine this life, it still blow my mind
I know my purpose, I'm far from perfect, I know my way
I demonstrate and lead every day, I'm bound to be great
I take my life and put in on display, all for you
And let my tunes do the talking, knowing all is true”
In the title track, Malcolm sets the stage for the rest of the album by detailing the experiences in his life that have impacted him. From sharing the way his father encouraged his mother to terminate her pregnancy with Malcolm to his mother’s alcohol addiction resulting from his father’s incarceration when he was nine, Malcolm has always been looking for purpose. Malcolm goes on to recount the years he spent lost and wandering in various dreams until ultimately he finds himself pouring his efforts into rap. He goes on to convey the way his rap journey is directioned by his pursuit to put his life on display for the Lord. As the track rings out with its final stanza, Malcolm proclaims the truth present in the entire album: both the struggles he has experienced and God’s presence and purpose in his life are true.
We Goin Up
“I had to go out and get it, I did it now we goin up
Imma turn up for my city, they wit me now we goin up
I got 'em all goin crazy, woah, they eating it up
I must be doin something right, look how I keep goin up”
As Malcolm continues to lead the listener through his journey to purpose, he quickly ushers them into this upbeat and fast-paced track. “We Goin Up” celebrates the progress Malcolm has made in leaving behind his old circumstances and pursuing his dreams to make an impact through his career. The track celebrates God’s blessing in providing Malcolm with the success he’s seen and drives the listener in a beat-heavy pump up song.
Andale
“Shawty call
Stay away
Back it up
Ándale
She gon' do
What Simon say
That's right away
Never fade away, yeah”
In “Andale”, Malcolm highlights a common temptation he faces as a result of his notoriety with a Biblical response. “Andale”, which means “hurry up” or “come on” in Spanish, is Malcolm’s response to the temptation of being unfaithful when girls solicit him through social media. In essence, Malcolm quickly hurries up and stays away from the situation.
Autopilot
“Small circle and it's closed
From the concrete came the rose
I'm the one that God chose, truth!”
“Autopilot” is the story of how Malcolm is continuing to find success by just being himself. He notes that others are frustrated with the levels they’ve seen him ascend to because he makes it look easy. However, Malcolm is quick to note the bigger picture within the story by denoting that it isn’t his material success that should be celebrated, but that it’s his own hard work and God’s provision that has enabled him to arrive where he is.
Glory On Me
“He took me from dirt and he planted a seed
And He gave me the key now my seed on the way
'Bout to break every curse in my family tree
God took the brush and He painted the dream
He showed me the things that I needed to see
Showed me the ups, showed me the downs
He said through it all, I'm still gonna feel it”
Malcolm closes his EP with a stirring and centering ballad filled with rich harmonies, autotuned vocals, and a simple piano driving the crescendo of praise. In partnership with Childish Major and Taylor Hill, this closing piece rounds out the story Malcolm shared pieces of within each track. He brings the listener home with the reminder that God’s glory and story is on us no matter what our specific circumstances may be. As the track brings the listener back home, it reminds us that God is bigger than our origins. Through His transforming power we are able to rewrite our destinies for His glory.
