Sin's destructive power is like a moth in a closet full of clothes.  Like sin, cloth moths do not like light and they are so secretive that you would not even notice them sneaking into your closet.  They will then lay their eggs in secluded spots with plenty of food -- wool, fur, down, shed pet dander, and other animal-based materials. Within a few weeks, larvae emerge; some of these larvae can feed on fabric for a year or more causing countless holes in our precious sweaters, coats and blouses without our knowledge.   Sin likewise slips into our lives incognito often in the dark recesses of our rebellious heart and soon enough it drills holes in our relationships severely us away from God as well as about each other.  And the Bible is clear that only Jesus can mend such tattered relationships. The raison detre of these four men who call themselves Royal Tailor is to avail themselves through this sophomore Essential offering to be God's couturier pointing us to Christ in the weaving back of our relationships with Him as well as with others.  Further, the Royal Tailors are tailors at the epitome of their craft; their darning skills as expressed through these 11 new songs are engaging, fresh, illustrious and fused with energy.         

Royal Tailor comprises Tauren (lead singer), DJ (guitar), Blake (bass) and Jarrod (drums).  Together their debut record "Black and White" released a couple of years ago have caused quite a buzz.  Their single "Make a Move" not only was a no.1 record, they have even garnered a Grammy nomination.  Also, they are one of the few Christian bands to be listed in Google's "50 Bands Under 30."  "Royal Tailor" their most anticipated follow-up is poised to extend their successful trope further.  This time around their sound that blends hip hop, pop, Gospel and dance gets even bolder and funkier, thanks in part to the input of four sets of producers.  Chris Butler (who has worked with Britt Nicloe & Brandon Heath) who gets to helm 5 out of the 11 songs gets the lion's share.  Of the 5 Butler helmed cuts, "Got that Fire" is piece of sonic genius. Incorporating an arresting rap section, piano arpeggios and a cacophonic blast of guitar, drums and vocals, "Got that Fire" is gorgeous fusion that actually works.  The propulsive "Jesus Love" which features a rap section by TobyMac has some sturdy melodic hooks making us long for the Savior's love.

In an album bristling with kinetic energy, the recess comes with the album's two ballads.  "Give Me Faith" expresses the prayer in our hearts for the kind of faith Jesus speaks about that can move mountains. While the heavily garish ballad "You Are My Rescue" borders more on the acceptable side.  Of the oeuvre produced by Chris Stevens (Mandisa & Group1Crew) "Love Song" is a highlight (and the album's best track). With a breezy Maroon 5 soft rock groove the song weaves us into the tapestry of God's love story. The gentle sweetness that sweeps across with Tauren's soothing tenor ministers to our souls.  But Royal Tailor is not content just to revel in God's love. Rather, "Remain" shows how God's love deepens our relationships.  In a culture where we are so flippant in the way we treat others where love is paper thin, "Remain" speaks of a love that is tenacious: "The sky could fall/The ground could shake/The stars burn out and seasons change/The time will pass and beauty fade/But all my love will remain."  

Aaron Lindsey (Marvin Sapp & Israel Houghton) takes on the producer's chair for the album's most dramatic piece "Fight for Freedom (Let the Walls Fall)." Unreeling like a cinematic film, "Fight for Freedom" starts off slow with a montage of drums, guitars, rap, and even the hymn "Battle Hymn of the Republic" slowly unravelling.  This epic of a song proclaims a message of liberation for those who are oppressed; this song deserves to be heard in our self-saturated world.  On the whole, when Royal Tailor comes to their craft they are not into banausic sonic needlework. Rather, they are into intricate musical tapestries where threads of artistry, imagination, heart and spiritual fervor are all woven together with mastery strokes.