Zach Williams releases 'Rescue Story'

“Rescue Story,” the long-awaited album from Grammy- and GMA Dove Award-winning artist Zach Williams, is out now. Supporting “Rescue Story,” which is the follow-up to his Grammy-winning album, 2017's “Chain Breaker,” is Williams' 21-city “Rescue Story Tour,” which kicks off in Syracuse. 

The 10 songs found on the aptly titled “Rescue Story” (courtesy of Sony Music/PLG) were produced by Jonathan Smith and are a reflection of where Williams' life was 20 years ago to now, to the moments and places that he didn't even realize God was involved.

“I can see now he was putting these little things together and allowing me to live in these moments so I can write about it one day," Williams said. " ‘Rescue Story’ is the appropriate title for it all."

Though writing music and playing guitar spanning more than two decades, it was when Williams completely gave his life to Christ that everything changed and he knew he'd found his calling. He now has a renewed vision of who he is as an artist, a songwriter, and a performer, stating, “I have a lot to say about what I walked through to get to where I am."

Williams recently went in-depth with Billboard about his life story, while also sharing about his new songs, and about the fans. "I hear their stories, I hear their struggles," he shared. "They're the same as mine. I don't pretend to have it all together or try to be better than anyone else. I just wanted to write a record that felt real and honest. I think if you do that, the connections to the songs are going to be there." 

Williams' interview, recorded into a podcast, is now live. Along with the interview, he also performed a special acoustic version of "Rescue Story," the album's first single. Listen to the full interview and performance here.

Leading up to release day for “Rescue Story,” a pre-sale campaign launched, offering the opportunity for fans to instantly download five of the 10 songs prior to release date: "Rescue Story," "Walk With You," "Heaven Help Me," "Slave To Nothing" and "Baptized." 

"Heaven Help Me" and "Walk With You" are two of the songs that came to Williams when he looked back on his life during the writing process.

"So many times I was in the wrong places and making wrong choices, yet it was God who was keeping me safe, even when I thought he was too far gone," Williams said.

"There Was Jesus" continues that same theme, and is also a highlight for Williams, as the song is a duet with the iconic Dolly Parton. "There Was Jesus" is slated as the album's second radio single. 

"Rescue Story" is the album's debut single and overarching theme, and continues to climb the radio charts, currently No. 7 at AC Indicator, and No. 10 on both AC monitored and Christian airplay charts. 

"Over the past few years, I've met all kinds of people just like me, people who are dealing with addictions, cancer, suicide," Williams said. "Everyone has a different yet such a remarkable story. These are the people I write for because they are me. I'm the average guy out there struggling just like everyone else, and the folks who are coming to our shows don't get a chance to share their own stories on a bigger stage. I feel it's a huge opportunity for me to write and share their songs."

Fans will be able to hear the new songs as well as "Chain Breaker," Williams’ Grammy-nominated and multi-week No. 1 single, and many more of his hits from the Grammy-winning album “Chain Breaker,” on “The Rescue Story Tour.” With support from Bethel Music's Josh Baldwin, the tour kicks off this Thursday and will wrap Nov. 10, with a Nov. 3 stop at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium.

For the latest tour dates, visit his tour page. 

Williams said, “When I gave my life to the Lord, I realized he never left me, even in the darkest times. For this new album, the title fits, because every song has a rescue story. When you’re at your end of the rope, that’s when your rescue story begins. In my case, Jesus has been mine.” 

For more information, visit ZachWilliamsMusic.com.