A Million Lights (Michael W. Smith album)

A Million Lights is a studio album by Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith released on February 16, 2018.[1] It is his first pop album in over five years and a follow up to Wonder (2010). The album is a new musical direction for Smith and marks a departure from his previous sound.[2]

A Million Lights
Studio album by
Michael W. Smith
ReleasedFebruary 16, 2018 (2018-02-16)
Recorded2017
Genre
Length49:12
LabelRocketown Records
Producer
Michael W. Smith chronology
Hymns II - Shines On Us
(2016)		 A Million Lights
(2018)		 Surrounded
(2018)
Singles from A Million Lights
  1. "A Million Lights"
    Released: October 27, 2017

Background

Smith began working on this album in January 2017,[3] under the title Revolution. Originally it was set to be released in October 2017 but ultimately was postponed to February 2018. The first single from the album, "A Million Lights", was released on August 11, 2017.[2] The album is a mix of pop music with some EDM influences.[4]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."A Million Lights"Kyle Lee, Michael W. Smith3:36
2."Conversation"Bryan Todd, Jason Walker, Smith4:03
3."Something In My Heart"Bryan Todd, Walker, Smith3:27
4."Footsteps"Walker, Chris Davenport, Smith3:36
5."Your Love"Lee, Smith3:55
6."Love Always Wins"Thad Cockrell, Smith3:45
7."Crashing Waves"Jonathan Jackson, Smith4:18
8."Louder"Bryan Todd, Walker, Smith3:50
9."Revolution"Ryan Smith, Alan Robertson, Smith3:03
10."Hey Love" (featuring Jordin Sparks)Wayne Kirkpatrick, Smith3:46
11."You Make Me Feel This Way"Bryan Todd, Walker, Smith3:25
12."Forgive"Wes King, Smith4:09
13."Who You Are"Cindy Morgan, Smith4:19

Personnel
  • Michael W. Smith – lead vocals, backing vocals (1-7, 11, 12), vocoder (1, 7), acoustic piano (1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12), organ (1, 7), programming (2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12), acoustic guitars (6, 11), electric guitars (6, 7), orchestration (12)
  • Kyle Lee – acoustic piano (1, 5, 6), synth programming (1, 5, 6, 7), drum programming (1, 5, 6, 7), bass (1, 5, 6, 7), backing vocals (1, 5, 7), electric guitars (5, 7), acoustic guitars (6, 7), Rhodes (6)
  • Joe Thibodeau – synth programming (1, 5, 6), drum programming (1, 5, 6)
  • Bryan Todd – programming (2, 3, 4, 8-12), backing vocals (9)
  • Matt Stanfield – acoustic piano (13), synthesizer (13)
  • Paul Moak – synthesizer (13), electric guitar (13), slide guitar (13)
  • Casey Moore – electric guitars (1, 5, 6, 7)
  • Jonathan Martin Berry – acoustic guitar (3, 8, 9, 11, 12), electric guitar (3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12)
  • Stu Garrard – electric guitars (5, 7, 13)
  • Kris Donegan – acoustic guitar (13)
  • Matt Pierson – bass (13)
  • Jacob Arnold – drums (5, 6)
  • Chris Leidhecker – drums (6, 7)
  • Fred Eltringham – drums (13), tambourine (13)
  • Brent Milligan – cello (12), upright bass (10)
  • Carol Rabinowitz – cello (10)
  • Kristin Wilkinson – viola (10)
  • David Davidson – orchestration (10), violin (10)
  • Conni Ellisor – violin (10)
  • Jason Walker – backing vocals (2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 11)
  • Vanessa Campagna – backing vocals (3, 8, 9, 12)
  • Thad Cockrell – backing vocals (6)
  • Calvin Nowell – group vocals (7)
  • Debi Selby – group vocals (7)
  • Emoni Wilkins – group vocals (7)
  • Rebekah White – backing vocals (9)
  • Jordin Sparks – lead vocals (10)

Production
  • Tracks 1, 5, 6 & 7 produced, engineered and mixed by Kyle Lee.
  • Tracks 2, 3, 4 & 8-12 produced, engineered and mixed by Bryan Todd.
  • Track 13 produced and mixed by Paul Moak; Engineered by Devin Vaughan; Assistant Engineers – Zack Zinick and Brendan Gelais.
  • Tracks 1, 5, 6 & 7 recorded at The Manor (Nashville, TN); Mixed at The Void (Franklin, TN).
  • Tracks 2, 3, 4 & 8-12 recorded at 2220 Record Studios and The Manor (Nashville, TN).
  • Track 13 recorded at The Manor.
  • All songs mastered by Bob Boyd at Ambient Digital (Houston, TX).
  • All songs co-produced by Michael W. Smith
  • Executive Producers – Michael W. Smith, Chaz Corzine and Greg Ham.
  • Associate Executive Producer – Derek Spirk
  • A&R Administration – Keelin Crew
  • Photography – Jeremy Cowart
  • Creative Director – Brody Harper
  • Art and Design – Nick DePartee

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
CCM Magazine[5]

John Palluska from ChristianHeadlines.com gave the album an overwhelmingly positive review, describing it as "one of the best albums to come out in Christian music."[4]

Charts
Chart performance for A Million Lights
Chart (2018) Peak
position
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[6] 2
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[7] 8
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[8] 42
Singles
Year Single US peak chart positions
Christian
[9]		 Christian
Airplay[10]
2018 "A Million Lights" 44 47

References
  1. Weatherby, Taylor (January 24, 2018). "Michael W. Smith Premieres Uplifting New Track 'Revolution,' Announces Spring Tour Dates". Billboard. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  2. "Michael W. Smith Releases 'A Million Lights' Single Today". newreleasetoday.com. NewReleaseToday. August 11, 2017. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  3. Ryan, Patrick (October 24, 2017). "Michael W. Smith is lost in space in 'A Million Lights' video". usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  4. Paluska, John (January 26, 2018). "Why You Need to Listen to Michael W. Smith's Upcoming Album 'A Million Lights'". christianheadlines.com. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  5. Conner, Matt (January 30, 2018). "Michael W. Smith – 'A Million Lights' album review". CCM Magazine. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  6. "Michael W Smith Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  7. "Michael W Smith Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  8. "Michael W Smith Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  9. "Michael W. Smith - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  10. "Michael W. Smith - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
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