Matthew West set to release new album, 'Brand New'

Award-winning singer/songwriter Matthew West will release his new project, “Brand New,” on Feb. 14, 2020, as his first album on Provident Label Group/Sony Music and his imprint Story House Music. The pre-order for “Brand New” is available here. 

"The title ‘Brand New’ does represent where I find myself these days," West said of the upcoming release. "Signing with a new label, starting my own management company, building a new songwriting house and studio called The Story House, and, with that, a flood of new songs. But the title really has an even deeper meaning than just a representation of where I’m at in my career. ‘Brand New’ is actually inspired by the idea of looking back, or what’s more, going back. In many ways this is an album about returning to the days when I was a new Christian, and my faith felt fresh and alive."

The album cover features an old polaroid picture of West sitting on a blue couch, which has significant meaning to him, as well as to the overarching theme of the project. 

"I was 13 years old, sitting on a blue couch in my childhood home when I stumbled across a Billy Graham crusade on television, and my life changed," he shared. "For the first time, something clicked. I realized what my parents had been teaching me was true: that God desired a personal relationship with me. I remember my heart pounding as I heard Billy Graham inviting a stadium full of people to find freedom in God’s love and forgiveness. I prayed that day with my mom and gave my life to Christ."

With “Brand New,” West has written a collection of songs that were inspired by him wanting to get back to that closeness he felt when he was young in his faith with God.

"I feel like God helps me go back to that blue couch moment in my mind and my heart returns to this powerful reminder: God is just as real to me now as he was back then. God still loves me today just as much as he did back then. God still has plans for my life. He still forgives me. He still calls me His child. He’s still working on me. And I’m still a new creation in his eyes."

In addition to sharing his own story on this album, West also shines a light on stories and testimonies of other people's lives that have been shared with him, something he has continued to do throughout his career.

On “Brand New,” two tracks that were inspired by others' stories include "Walking Miracles," and "Too Young Too Soon," which touches on the difficult subject of teen suicide. 

Leading up to the February release, West has released multiple songs from the upcoming project, including the radio single, "The God Who Stays," as well as "What If" and "Truth Be Told." 

Closing out this year, West will celebrate the holiday season headlining the K-LOVE Christmas Tour. He will also have a brand new Christmas single, "Winter Wonderland," out today, along with the pre-order of “Brand New.” Click here for tour dates and ticket information. 

West is a four-time Grammy nominee, a multiple ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year winner, and a 2018 Dove Award Songwriter of the Year (Artist) recipient. He has received an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, a K-LOVE Fan Award and was named Billboard’s Hot Christian Songwriter of the Year. A recipient of the Rich Mullins Impact Award, West also received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Original Music & Lyrics for the title track for the feature film “The Heart of Christmas.” He has been awarded an RIAA Gold certification for his single “Hello, My Name Is” and RIAA Platinum certification for the song “The Motions."

In addition to his own recording career, he has co-hosted the K-LOVE Fan Awards five times and has more than 130 songwriting credits to his name, including cuts by Rascal Flatts, Scotty McCreery, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Mandisa and Danny Gokey, along with back-to-back No. 1 songs by Casting Crowns (including their recent single, "Nobody," in which West is featured). 

Adding author to his list of accolades, West has written five books to date: “Give This Christmas Away,” “The Story Of Your Life,” “Forgiveness,” “Today Is Day One,” and his latest, “Hello, My Name Is.”

He is also passionate about providing hope and healing through the power of prayer and story. Along with his father, Pastor Joe West, they founded popwe, a nonprofit ministry helping others to craft, share, and live a more meaningful life. Visit popwe.org for more information.

Visit MatthewWest.com.