Darwin Hobbs

By Monica P. Watkins for GospelMusicChannel.com

Freedom has a sound, hence the phrase, “let freedom ring.” Darwin Hobbs’ fifth studio release, Free, captures this sound in 12 tracks, ringing out in one of the most preeminent male voices in Gospel music. "It's the very first album I've recorded as a free man,” says Hobbs.

The title track tells the story of Hobbs’ deliverance, restoration, and liberty from a painful past as he sings with unquestionable confidence, “Free, free from my past, free from the pain, free from the guilt that would cause me to be ashamed…no more chains are binding me, I’m totally free.” In his own words, as he reflects on the song’s meaning, Hobbs declares, “I’ve now arrived at a point of liberty and freedom concerning the past, present, and future. For years, guilt, shame, fear, pain, and sin had me bound in silence. The gag order has now been lifted, and I’m free.”

Free makes an early debut as song number two, but song number one sets the tone for the album. "Heal the Land," written by Hobbs, is a prophetic utterance over a pop piano backdrop, reminiscent of the sounds of Billy Joel. Hobbs calls for a return to the instruction of 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If My people who are called by My name would humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

The songs may slow down in tempo, but the momentum on the project continues to escalate with songs like "Crosswalk" and "I Repent." Hobbs’ signature vocals join with an electric performance from background vocalists to take Chris Tomlin’s "Your Grace is Enough" to another level. Whether you’re standing or seated, prepare to steady yourself, because "Who You Are" is a mountainous track, placed prominently at the center of the project. This song will, no doubt, render you weak and off balance as Hobbs blazes through an amazing musical arrangement, leaving you in awe of the Giver of such an irrefutable, melodious gift. 

The spirit of liberation stands as tall as a California Redwood on Free. Hobbs flexed his writing muscles on three songs on the album ("Heal the Land," "Free," and "The Name of the Lord"), co-wrote a fourth ("In This Place"), and shares production credit with Aaron Pearce. Prophecy, liberty, confidence, praise, and worship, are present and accounted for on Free. The voice which carries them all is the most authentic sound of Darwin Hobbs your ears have ever heard, proving that God’s word remains true, “…where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 

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