All Things Work Together: A Review

Introduction

Lecrae is one of the most talented rappers in the industry. It makes sense why Atlantic Records wanted to sign him. Lecrae debuted his first mixtape Real Talk in 2006, prior to starting his label and releasing his first album After The Music Stops the same year. He returned in 2008 with Rebel, followed in 2010 by Rehab. Rehab: The Overdose came in 2011, followed by Gravity in 2012, his Church Clothes mixtape in 2013, Church Clothes Vol. 2 in early 2014, Grammy-winning Anomaly in 2014, and Church Clothes 3 in 2016. His label features some of the most versatile talent in the game including Andy Mineo, KB, Trip Lee, Tedashii, GAWVI, and Aha Gazelle. After spending eleven years climbing the ranks and managing his own label, Reach Records, he finally hit the big time. Will his music continue to have the same impact and appeal that it did the past 11 years? His latest release, All Things Work Together, will tell.

1. Always Knew

The opener song features a more shiny sound, despite getting into grimy details. The first song features some auto tune on the hook, but that doesn’t hurt the song. It’s really a check up song that brings up to speed on his life and on topics that are important to him. It’s a solid track, but it seems a little empty compared to the tracks from Anomaly.

Track Rating: 7/10

Grade: A-

2. Facts

This second song hits very hard. This song launches very theatrically and ominous. It’s a great song that fires back at the people who criticized his more political tone on Church Clothes 3. This sounds more like classic Lecrae than his singles released to promote the album did. This song tackles some huge themes and topics and does a great job of leveling the playing field. The beat is straight forward until we hit the last fourth and then it changes and totally kills it. He dismisses every criticism or doubt that changing labels had changed him. While “Already Knew” was supposed to calm fears, it’s “Facts” that does the job.

Track Rating: 10/10

Grade: A+

3. Broke

The last single released before the album was already great and sounded like classic Lecrae. The song talks about being rich in Christ rather than cash. It’s a very sleek song that totally kills it and works on multiple levels. His flow pattern is solid with a fire hook.

Track Rating: 10/10

Grade: A+

4. Blessings (ft. Ty Dolla $ign)

I did not like this single when it was first released. I am not a Ty Dolla $ign fan. I still don’t like it. It’s too mainstream rap, complete with wail-rapping, mumble rapping and auto-tune drenched hooks. It’s such a sweet beat wasted on mediocre lyricism and substance.

Track Rating: 6/10

Grade: B

5. Whatchu Mean (ft. Aha Gazelle)

The only 116 member to appear on Lecrae’s newest album is their newest recruit and he’s got some talent. The track starts off with a swan lake tinkle feel, but they come in hard. This is the “Say I Won’t” of this album. The hook is fine, but the verse kind of a sping style. It’s very high energy, yet laid back. The vocals are fun. Aha is fine, but he has that wail-rap style. While he tones it down on this track, he’s solid anyway. Lecrae really brings it home with his final verse. It’s a solid jam.

Track Rating: 8/10

Grade: A

6. Hammer Time (ft. 1K Phew)

The most mainstream song on the album is one that I detested upon hearing it originally. However, upon revisiting, it’s really fun with some fun hip hop vocals. It’s one that’s perfect for working out or just jamming. It’s a fast-paced solid jam, there’s not much substance, but it’s fun.

Track Rating: 8/10

Grade: A-

7. Come and Get Me

Again starting mischievously ominous, it breaks down into a groove. It’s classic Lecrae from the outset. He comes out hard and absolutely crushes it. It has a vibe that’s reminiscent of Will Smith meets Hamilton. Featuring some of Lecrae’s best lyricism yet it’s easily the best song on the album.

Track Rating: 10/10

Grade: A+

8. Lucked Up (ft. Nija)

This track picks up with some very nice vocals from Nija. From the outset, it feels like a mix of “All I Need is You” and “Good, Bad, Ugly” with some original elements that elevate the track. It’s a solid track that displays some of Lecrae’s top notch lyricism.

Track Rating: 8/10

Grade: A-

9. Wish You the Best (ft. Verse Simmonds)

This track is funky jam about growing up and reconnecting with old friends and lost love. It’s Lecrae’s “Hear My Heart”. Verse’s vocals are a perfect fit for the track. It’s reminiscent of “Special” off of his Church Clothes mixtape. T

Track Rating: 8/10

Grade: A

10. Can’t Stop Me Now (Destination)

The first single was released over a year before this album released. I always liked this one. It’s very real and a great confessional about life on the road and religion vs politics. The vocals are very dreamy and features a great brass section. I enjoy this track a lot.

Track Rating: 9/10

Grade: A

11. I’ll Find You (ft. Tori Kelly)

The first single for the album released this year features incredible vocals from the underrated Tori Kelly and some wonderful lyricism of Lecrae. The song is a beautiful song that deserves a Grammy.

Track Rating: 9/10

Grade: A+

12. 8:28

This song has a Sunday morning feel to it. Featuring some great vocals and messages, this track is perfectly in Lecrae’s vain. The song is hopeful and inspirational and really harkens back to the classic Lecrae.

Track Rating: 10/10

Grade: A+

13. Cry For You (ft. Taylor Hill)

This is a beautiful song featuring some of the best vocals on Lecrae song. This is a really honest song that truly brought tears. This song features the best lyricism of the album. It’s a beautiful song that addresses some real issues involving popularity, religion, piety, and suicidal thoughts and depression. It’s a wonderful and important song.

Track Rating: 10/10

Grade: A+

14. Worth It (ft. Kierra Sheard and Jawan Harris)

This Gospel-inspired song is inspirational and comforting. The closer of the album inspires and provides hope for the listener as we depart for the album. It’s a great display of Lecrae’s powerhouse lyricism and songwriting. Our Southern Gospel artists own the vocals on this chorus and really calms the listener and creates a sense of hope and safety.

Track Rating: 9/10

Grade: A+

Conclusion

The fears the fans had that Lecrae would change with the label were completely ungrounded. Of course, the style changes slightly moving from indie rap to mainstream rap, but the fact of the matter is that this is the Lecrae we all know and love. It’s the Lecrae from Anomaly and Gravity, from Rehab and After the Music Stops. Lecrae creates a powerhouse album that stirs the heart and stimulates the mind, while also southing the soul. The vocalists and features, for the most part, are incredibly chosen and work perfectly. Overall, this album is a display of his lyricism and sheer talent. This is one that will go down into the books as a high ranking album. In fact…

 

1. Anomaly
2. All Things Work Together
3. Gravity
4. Church Clothes 3
5. Rehab
6. Church Clothes Vol. 2
7. Church Clothes
8. Rebel
9. After The Music Stops
10. Real Talk
11. Rehab: The Overdose

Album Rating: 9/10

Grade: A