Sovereign
Studio album by
Michael W. Smith
ReleasedMay 13, 2014 (2014-05-13)
RecordedJanuary 2014
Studio
  • Brown Owl Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
  • FabMusic, Franklin, Tennessee
  • Full Circle Music, Franklin, Tennessee
  • redredstudio, Nashville, Tennessee
  • The Manor, Franklin, Tennessee
  • The Soundhouse, Redding, California
GenreCCM, worship
Length56:38
LabelCapitol/Sparrow
ProducerJeremy Edwardson, Seth Mosley, Christopher Stevens, Joshua Silverberg
Michael W. Smith chronology
Hymns
(2014)		 Sovereign
(2014)		 The Spirit of Christmas
(2014)
Singles from Sovereign
  1. "You Won't Let Go"
    Released: February 4, 2014[1]
  2. "Sovereign Over Us"
    Released: 2014
  3. "Sky Spills Over"
    Released: February 2, 2015[2]

Sovereign is an album by Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith released on May 13, 2014[3] through Capitol Records.[4] The album debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and at No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart.

The album's first single, "You Won't Let Go", was released digitally on February 4, 2014[5][1] and it opened at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart.[6] Christian singer Kari Jobe is featured on one of the songs on the album.[7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
CCM Magazine[9]
CM Addict[10]
Cross Rhythms[11]
Indie Vision Music[12]
Jesus Freak Hideout[13]
Louder Than the Music[14]
New Release Tuesday[15]
The Phantom Tollbooth[16]

Sovereign met with generally positive reception from music critics. At CCM Magazine, Grace S. Aspinwall rated the album four stars out of five, remarking how "Over all, the record shows Smith returning to what he does best [...] ushering listeners into worship", and that "Time has granted a lovely depth to his vocal, which is surrounded by smart, fresh arrangements."[9] Sarah Fine of New Release Tuesday rated the album four stars out of five, observing how "Sovereign is a solid musical representation of Michael W. Smith's growth as an artist in the last decade."[15] At Indie Vision Music, Jonathan Andre rated the album four stars out of five, calling this "a poignant, powerful and prolific" release.[12] Matt Collar of AllMusic rated the album three-and-a-half stars out of five, indicating how "Smith has crafted an earnest and heartfelt recording inspired by his deep faith."[8] At Cross Rhythms, Tim Holden rated the album nine out of ten squares, commenting how "the Michael touch shines through and the quality and passion make this one of the best worship albums for quite a while - very easy to both listen to and worship along with."[17]

Jono Davies of Louder Than the Music rated the album four-and-a-half stars out of five, remarking how Smith "sounding as fresh as he ever has" on this release.[14] At Christian Music Review, Laura Chambers rated the album a 4.9 out of five, writing how the release proves Smith "still has the same desire to write and sing for the glory of God and his audience's good."[17] Joshua Andre of Christian Music Zine rated the album 4.75 out of five, declaring that the release "is his most cohesive and strongest studio effort."[18] At CM Addict, Brianne Bellomy rated the album a perfect five stars, observing how "For old fans, 'Smitty' is truly working at his best", and "For new fans, welcome to music for your soul."[10]

At The Phantom Tollbooth, Michael Dalton rated the album four tocks out of five, writing how the release is Smith's "finest effort in this category" because "These songs are straightforward with restrained artistry, giving them broad appeal."[16] Jim Wilkerson of The Christian Music Review Blog rated the album four stars out of five, saying that "There really isn't a song that I don't like on this album, but I have to say I still wanted to hear more from Michael."[19] At Jesus Freak Hideout, Mark Rice rated the album three stars out of five, cautioning that "The overall result is an album that caters far too much to the mainstream CCM contemporary worship crowd with too little creative appeal outside those confines."[13]

Awards and accolades

This album was No. 11 on the Worship Leader's Top 20 Albums of 2014 list.[20]

The song, "All Arise", was No. 15 on the Worship Leader's Top 20 Songs of 2014 list.[21]

Commercial performance

For the Billboard charting week of May 31, 2014, Sovereign debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200, and it is the highest-charting album in his career.[22] In addition, the album topped the Christian Albums chart, and it reached No. 25 on Digital Albums chart. The album sold slightly less than 16,000 copies in its first week.[22]

Track listing

Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."You Won't Let Go"Michael W. Smith, Mia Fieldes, Seth Mosley3:59
2."Heaven Come Down"Smith, Christopher Stevens3:50
3."Miracle"Smith, Kyle Lee, Mosley4:19
4."Sky Spills Over"Smith, Ryan Smith, Stevens4:04
5."All Arise"Smith, Jason Ingram4:40
6."You Are the Fire"Michael Farren, Kyle Lee4:29
7."Christ Be All Around Me"Leslie Jordan, David Leonard, Jack Mooring, Leeland Dayton Mooring5:24
8."Sovereign Over Us"Bryan Brown, Aaron Keyes, J. Mooring5:54
9."Hide Myself"Smith, Fieldes, Mosley4:22
10."The Same Power"Ben Cantelon, Nick Herbert4:25
11."I Lay Me Down"Smith, Farren, Mosley4:08
12."The One That Really Matters" (featuring Kari Jobe)Jennie Lee Riddle, Dustin Smith6:59
Total length:56:35
Target Exclusive edition[23]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
13."You Are the Fire" (live)Farren, Lee4:28
14."All Arise" (live)Smith, Ingram4:45
15."I Lay Me Down" (live)Smith, Farren, Mosley4:16
iTunes Deluxe edition[24]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
13."You Are the Fire" (Live)Farren, Lee4:28
14."All Arise" (live)Smith, Ingram4:45
15."I Lay Me Down" (live)Smith, Farren, Mosley4:16
16."You Won't Let Go" (live video)Smith, Fields, Mosley4:02
17."Sovereign Over Us" (live video)Brown, Keyes, Mooring6:09
18."The One That Really Matters" (featuring Kari Jobe (live video))Riddle, Dustin Smith9:14
Deluxe Edition DVD[25]
No.TitleLength
1."You Won't Let Go" (live video) 
2."You Are the Fire" (live video) 
3."Hide Myself" (live video) 
4."The Same Power" (live video) 
5."All Arise" (live video) 
6."Sovereign Over Us" (live video) 
7."I Lay Me Down" (live video) 
8."Christ Be All Around Me" (live video) 
9."The One That Really Matters" (live video) 
10."You Are the Fire (reprise)" (live video) 

Personnel

  • Michael W. Smith – lead vocals, backing vocals (1-4), acoustic piano (5-9, 11, 12)
  • Seth Mosley – keyboards (1), programming (1, 3, 9, 11), acoustic piano (3), synthesizers (3), guitars (3, 5, 9, 11), bass (3), backing vocals (3, 5, 9, 11), acoustic guitar (7)
  • Christopher Stevens – keyboards (1, 2, 4), programming (1, 2, 4), backing vocals (1, 2, 4), guitars (4), drums (4)
  • Jeremy Edwardson – keyboards (6, 8), backing vocals (6, 8)
  • Andrew Jackson – keyboards (6, 8)
  • Jonathan Berlin – additional keyboards (6), acoustic guitar (6), guitars (6, 8), bass (6, 8)
  • Jim Daneker – keyboards (7), synthesizers (7), programming (7)
  • Trey Gunn – string arrangements (8, 10), keyboards (10)
  • Tim Lauer – programming (9, 11), percussion (11), string arrangements (11)
  • Chris Lacorte – guitars (1, 2)
  • Nick Schwartz – guitars (1)
  • Bryan Fowler – guitars (4), percussion (4)
  • Wes King – acoustic guitars (4)
  • Ben Clark – banjo (4)
  • Stuart Garrard – guitars (5)
  • Tore Kulleseid – guitars (6, 8, 10), acoustic guitar (10)
  • Glenn Pearce – guitars (7)
  • Stephen Leiweke – guitars (12)
  • Joshua Silverberg – guitars (12)
  • Jacob Lowery – bass (1, 4, 7, 12)
  • Tony Lucido – bass (2, 5, 9, 11)
  • Brandon Aaronson – bass (10)
  • Will Sayles – drums (1, 2)
  • Steve Kadar – drums (3)
  • Nick Buda – drums (5, 9, 11)
  • Dylan Barrett – drums (6, 10)
  • Raymond Boyd – drums (7), percussion (7)
  • Josh Fisher – drums (8)
  • Jacob Schrodt – drums (12)
  • David Henry – strings (5)
  • Lewis Patzner – cello (8, 10), double bass (8, 10)
  • Anton Patzner – viola (8, 10), violin (8, 10)
  • Sarighani Reist – cello (11)
  • Kristin Wilkinson – viola (11)
  • David Angell – violin (11)
  • David Davidson – violin (11)
  • Stephen Lamb – music copyist (11)
  • Cara Fox – cello (12)
  • Philip King – backing vocals (1, 2)
  • Sam Hancock – backing vocals (1, 2, 4)
  • Skye Parrish – backing vocals (1, 2)
  • Mercy Stevens – backing vocals (1, 2, 4)
  • Bryan Fowler – backing vocals (4)
  • Lauren Daigle – backing vocals (5)
  • Stephen Duncan – backing vocals (5)
  • Gabe Kossol – backing vocals (6)
  • Andrew Ehernzeller – backing vocals (10)
  • Laura Cooksey – backing vocals (11)
  • Kari Jobe – lead vocals (12)
  • Bellarive – backing vocals (12)

Group vocals

  • Kyle Lee (3)
  • Seth Mosley (3, 5, 7, 9, 11)
  • Jim Daneker (5, 7, 9, 11),
  • Stephen Duncan (5)
  • Mia Fieldes (5, 7, 9, 11)
  • Rachel Hale (5, 7, 9, 11)
  • Jamie Jamgochian (5, 7, 9, 11)
  • Jon Lewis (5)
  • David Myers (5, 7, 9, 11)
  • Rhyan Shirley (5)
  • James Tealy (5, 7, 9, 11)
  • Kendall Young (5, 7, 9, 11)
  • Laura Cooksey (7, 9, 11)

Production

  • Michael W. Smith – executive producer
  • Greg Ham – executive producer
  • Christopher York – executive producer
  • Christopher Stevens – producer, engineer at fabmusic, Franklin, Tennessee (1, 2, 4), mixing at fabmusic Franklin, Tennessee
  • Seth Mosley – producer (3, 5, 7, 9, 11), engineer (3, 5)
  • Jeremy Edwardson – producer, engineer at The Soundhouse, Redding, California (6, 8, 10)
  • Joshua Silverberg – producer (12), engineer (12) at redredstudio, Nashville, Tennessee and The Manor, Franklin, Tennessee
  • Jericho Scoggins – assistant engineer and mix assistant (1, 2, 4)
  • Michael "X" O'Connor – engineer at Full Circle Music, Franklin, Tennessee (3, 5), at Full Circle Music (7, 9), at Full Circle Music and Brown Owl Studios, Nashville, Tennessee (11)
  • Mark Zellmer – engineer at Full Circle Music and Brown Owl Studios, Nashville, Tennessee (11)
  • Buckley Miller – additional engineer (1, 2)
  • Jeremy Michael – additional engineer (2)
  • Andrew Jackson – assistant engineer, production assistant (6, 8, 10)
  • Jared Fox – engineer (12)
  • Joe LaPorta – mastering at Sterling Sound, New York City
  • Sarah Sung – art and design
  • Cameron Powell – photography
  • Christin Cook – grooming
  • Tasia Treimer – styling

Chart performance

Chart performance for Sovereign
Chart (2014) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[26] 10
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[27] 1
US Digital Albums (Billboard)[28] 25
Singles
Year Single US peak chart positions
Christian
[29]		 Christian
Airplay[30]		 Christian
Digital[31]		 Christian
AC[32]		 Christian
Hot AC/CHR[33]		 Christian
Soft AC[34]		 Christian
AC Indicator[35]
2014 "You Won't Let Go" 13 16 6 21 19 4 12
"Sovereign Over Us" – 38 – – – 7 22
2015 "Sky Spills Over" 18 20 22 – – 8 19

References

  1. 1 2 "YOU WON'T LET GO - arrives at iTunes... – Michael W. Smith". Facebook. February 3, 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  2. ↑ "The new single from Michael W. Smith's... – Michael W. Smith". Facebook. February 2, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Upcoming Christian Music New Releases". NewReleaseTuesday.com. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  4. ↑ Papadatos, Markos (March 14, 2014). "Interview with Michael W. Smith: 'You Won't Let Go'". Digital Journal. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  5. ↑ "YOU WON'T LET GO - Now Available for Download!". Michael W. Smith. February 4, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Michael W. Smith - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Michael W. Smith's 'Sovereign' Releases May 13; His First Worship Album Since 2008 Features Kari Jobe (TRACK LISTING/VIDEO)". Christian Music, Christian Music News, BREATHEcast. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  8. 1 2 Collar, Matt. "Sovereign - Michael W. Smith | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  9. 1 2 Aspinwall, Grace S. (May 15, 2014). "Michael W. Smith: Sovereign (Sparrow Records)" (PDF). CCM Magazine. Salem Publishing. p. 34. ISSN 1524-7848. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  10. 1 2 Bellomy, Brianne (May 20, 2014). "Review of Sovereign by Michael W. Smith". CM Addict. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  11. ↑ Holden, Tim (June 26, 2014). "Review: Sovereign - Michael W. Smith". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  12. 1 2 Andre, Jonathan (May 6, 2014). "Michael W. Smith – Sovereign | Reviews". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
  13. 1 2 Rice, Mark (May 11, 2014). "Michael W. Smith, "Sovereign" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  14. 1 2 Davies, Jono (April 2, 2014). "Reviews - Michael W Smith - Sovereign". Louder Than the Music. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
  15. 1 2 Fine, Sarah (May 12, 2014). "Smitty Still A Player in Christian Music". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  16. 1 2 Dalton, Michael (May 30, 2014). "Smith, Michael W. - Sovereign". The Phantom Tollbooth. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  17. 1 2 Chambers, Laura (May 8, 2014). "Michael W. Smith "Sovereign"". Christian Music Review. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  18. ↑ Andre, Joshua (May 12, 2014). "Michael W. Smith – Sovereign (Review)". Christian Music Zine. Archived from the original on May 14, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
  19. ↑ Wilkerson, Jim (May 13, 2014). "Michael W. Smith: Sovereign". The Christian Music Review Blog. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  20. ↑ Worship Leader. "Top 20 Albums of 2014". Worship Leader. pp. 66–7. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  21. ↑ Worship Leader. "Top 20 Songs of 2014". Worship Leader (November/December 2014): 64–5. Retrieved November 5, 2015.
  22. 1 2 Caulfield, Keith (May 21, 2014). "The Black Keys Earn First No. 1 Album, Michael Jackson Debuts at No. 2". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Michael W. Smith - Sovereign (Deluxe)". Target. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Sovereign (Deluxe Edition) by Michael W. Smith". iTunes. May 13, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Sovereign (Deluxe Edition)". Amazon. Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Michael W Smith Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Michael W Smith Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Michael W Smith Chart History (Digital Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Michael W. Smith Album and Song Chart History - Christian Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Michael W. Smith - Chart History". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Michael W. Smith - Chart History". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  32. ↑ "Michael W. Smith - Chart History". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  33. ↑ "Michael W. Smith - Chart History". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  34. ↑ "Michael W. Smith - Chart History". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Michael W. Smith - Chart History". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
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