The War Is Over (Josh Baldwin album)

The War Is Over is the third studio album by American Christian musician Josh Baldwin. The album was released on May 26, 2017, by Bethel Music,[1][2] the album being his first solo release with the label.[3] Bobby Strand produced the album.

The War Is Over
Studio album by
Josh Baldwin
ReleasedMay 26, 2017 (2017-05-26)
Recorded2016
Genre
Length52:48
LabelBethel Music
ProducerBobby Strand
Josh Baldwin chronology
Rivers
(2014)		 The War Is Over
(2017)		 Live at Church
(2020)
Singles from The War Is Over
  1. "Get Your Hopes Up"
    Released: May 26, 2017

Background

After joining the Bethel Music collective in 2014, Josh Baldwin and his family moved from North Carolina to Redding, California, in August 2015.[4] This cross-country move is cited as having influenced the album's creative direction due to the blending of sonic elements which reflect Baldwin's Southern origins and his placement in Bethel Music and Redding.[5][6]

Promotion

The earliest mention of The War Is Over dates as far back as March 2017 when announcements on Christian digital outlets Cross Rhythms and Louder Than The Music that the album will be released via Bethel Music on May 26.[7][8]

On May 5, 2017, Bethel Music announced the pre-order of the album, having made three tracks and one music video available as pre-order singles prior to the album's release, the songs were "Get Your Hopes Up", "Endlessly" and "The War Is Over" and the music video of "Abraham".[9][10] A press release to affirm the album's launch date as well as its full track listing via The Media Collective was issued on May 9, 2017.[4][5][11]

To further promote the album, on May 19, 2017, a free exclusive stream of the album was made available on WorshipU, Bethel Music's online worship school, also prior to the album's release.[12][13]

Singles

"Get Your Hopes Up" was released on May 26, 2017,[14] as the lead single from the album. The song impacted Christian radio on June 30, 2017.[15]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
CCM Magazine[16]
The Christian Beat[17]
Jay's Musik Blog4.5/5[18]
Louder Than The Music[19]
NewReleaseToday[20]
Today's Christian Entertainment[21]

Kevin Sparkman of CCM Magazine rated the album four stars out of five, saying that the songs are "the blend feels organic, and the album expectedly swells with the rich textures of electric guitars and strings we've come to love."[16] Indicating in a four-point-three star review at The Christian Beat, Madeleine Dittmer states, "The War Is Over is all about the journey. Baldwin reminds listeners that they always walk with Christ in the unfamiliar territory they must cross. Rooted in scripture and rich personal experiences, the album is perfect for anyone who finds themselves needing some encouragement in a spiritual or physical journey."[17] Christian music critic Jay Wright, in a review on his website, Jay's Musik Blog, also published on Louder Than The Music,[19] rated the album four and a half out of five [stars], emphatically concluding "As a big fan of this kind of worship, I believe The War is Over is one of Bethel Music's finest releases to date!"[18][19] NewReleaseToday's Kevin Davis bestowed the album a four star rating, saying "The War is Over is a completely worshipful album, loaded with biblical truth and sincere and soothing vocals. The album is sonically and lyrically refreshing. God is exalted and the depth of His love is celebrated in every single song. This is truly soul-nourishing worship."[20] Kelly Meade, reviewing the album for Today's Christian Entertainment whilst rating it four stars, "The War is Over is a solid album that will be a welcome addition to your music library."

Commercial performance

In the week ending June 1, 2017 saw the sale of 3,000 equivalent album units of The War Is Over, becoming Josh Baldwin's maiden appearance on Billboard's Christian Albums chart, peaking at No. 2.[22]

Track listing
The War Is Over – Standard edition[1]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Get Your Hopes Up"Josh Baldwin, Bobby Strand, Nate Moore, Tony Brown[23]4:37
2."Endlessly"Baldwin, Strand, Joe Volk, Tom Crandall[24]4:33
3."You're My Home"Baldwin, Strand, Volk[25]5:16
4."The War Is Over"Strand, Baldwin[26]4:57
5."You Deserve It All"Baldwin, Strand, Volk, Brown, Kalley Heiligenthal[27]6:02
6."Fountains"Baldwin, Jonathan David Helser, Strand, Brown, Volk[28]5:37
7."Abraham"Baldwin, Strand[29]6:30
8."Holding On"Baldwin, Strand[30]3:26
9."Found in You"Baldwin, Strand, Amanda Cook, Jacob Cook, Jenn Johnson, Volk[31]6:03
10."Peace"Baldwin, Strand, Anthony Skinner[32]5:40
Total length:52:48
iTunes bonus content[2]
No.TitleLength
11."Abraham" (Music Video)6:42

Charts
Chart (2017) Peak
position
Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[33] 41
UK Official Christian & Gospel Albums (OCC)[34] 3
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[35] 2
US Digital Albums (Billboard)[36] 22
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[37] 8
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[38] 65

Release history
Region Date Version Format Label Ref.
Worldwide May 26, 2017 Standard
Bethel Music [2][3]

References
  1. "Amazon.com: The War Is Over: Josh Baldwin: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. May 26, 2017. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
  2. "The War Is Over by Josh Baldwin on Apple Music". Apple Music (iTunes). U.S. Apple Inc. May 29, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  3. "Integrity Direct | The War Is Over | Christian Music, Worship Music, Books and DVDs". Integrity Direct. Integrity Music Ltd. May 26, 2017. Retrieved May 29, 2017. Bethel Music presents The War is Over, the debut solo album from worship leader and songwriter Josh Baldwin. The War is Over marks Ballwin's first release with Bethel Music and his third career release following his last album Rivers (2014).
  4. "JFH News: Bethel Music Announces "The War Is Over" From Songwriter/Worship Leader, Josh Baldwin, For May 26 Release". Jesusfreakhideout.com (Press release). Nashville, Tennessee: Jesus Freak Hideout. The Media Collective. May 9, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2017. Baldwin joined the Bethel Music Collective in 2014 and regularly leads worship at Bethel Church and with Bethel Music Worship Nights tour domestically and internationally. In August 2015, he and his family made the cross-country move from North Carolina to Redding, California.
  5. "Bethel Music Announces 'The War Is Over' from Songwriter/Worship Leader Josh Baldwin". NewReleaseToday (Press release). NRT Media, Inc. The Media Collective. May 11, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2017. Inspired by Baldwin's cross country move with his family from North Carolina to California, The War Is Over reflects synonymous themes of taking an appointed journey into the unknown, motivated by the hope of promises that lie ahead. ... The War Is Over thoughtfully blends sonic elements from Baldwin's Southern roots and where he's planted now.
  6. "Bethel Music's Josh Baldwin – 'The War Is Over,' May 26". Today's Christian Music. CCM Magazine. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  7. "The War Is Over: Bethel Music's Josh Baldwin set to release his third album". Cross Rhythms. March 9, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  8. "Louder Than The Music – Bethel Music Announce Josh Baldwin's Debut Solo Album 'The War is Over'". Louder Than The Music. March 20, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  9. Bethel Music (May 5, 2017). "Bethel Music – Posts". Facebook. Retrieved July 1, 2017. Josh Baldwin's new album "The War is Over" is available now for Pre-Order ... Instantly download 3 songs "The War is Over," "Get Your Hopes Up," "Endlessly" & the music video for "Abraham." #thewarisover
  10. "The War is Over from Josh Baldwin Now Available for Pre-Order". MultiTracks. MultiTracks LLC. May 5, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  11. Courtney, Hyder (May 9, 2017). "Bethel Music Announces The War Is Over From Songwriter/Worship Leader, Josh Baldwin, For May 26 Release – the media collective" (Press release). Nashville, Tennessee. The Media Collective. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  12. Bethel Music (May 19, 2017). "Bethel Music – Posts". Facebook. Retrieved July 1, 2017. Josh Baldwin's new album "The War is Over" is available now for Pre-Order ... Instantly download 3 songs "The War is Over," "Get Your Hopes Up," "Endlessly" & the music video for "Abraham." #thewarisover
  13. "WorshipU – The War Is Over Stream with Josh Baldwin". WorshipU. May 19, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  14. "Get Your Hopes Up (Radio Version) – Single by Josh Baldwin on Apple Music". Apple Music (iTunes). U.S. Apple Inc. May 26, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  15. "Josh Baldwin – Get Your Hopes Up (album version) | Daily Play MPE®". Daily Play MPE®. Destiny Media Technologies Inc. June 1, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  16. Sparkman, Kevin (May 15, 2017). "Josh Baldwin – 'The War Is Over' album review – CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine. Salem Communications. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  17. Dittmer, Madeleine (May 25, 2017). "Josh Baldwin Provides Encouragement for a Long Journey With 'The War Is Over'". The Christian Beat. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  18. Wright, Jay (June 1, 2017). "Jay's Musik Blog: Josh Baldwin: The War is Over Review". Jay's Musik Blog. Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  19. Wright, Jay. "Louder Than The Music – Josh Baldwin – The War is Over". Louder Than The Music. Retrieved July 1, 2017. This review is from Jay Wright who runs his Christian Music Blog titled Jay Musik Blog. We thank him for helping us with this amazing review.
  20. Davis, Kevin (May 23, 2017). "The War is Over by Josh Baldwin Christian CD Book Reviews | NRTeam Member KevinDavis_NRT | NewReleaseToday". NewReleaseToday. NRT Media Inc. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  21. Meade, Kelly (May 26, 2017). "Josh Baldwin 'The War is Over' – Today's Christian Entertainment". Today's Christian Entertainment. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  22. Asker, Jim (June 8, 2017). "Jesus Culture Rules Top Christian Albums Chart With 'Love Has a Name' | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2018. On Top Christian Albums, The War Is Over, the first solo album from Bethel Music worship leader Josh Baldwin, arrives at No. 2 with 3,000 equivalent album units earned. Baldwin, who joined Bethel Music, the musical arm of Bethel Church, in 2014, regularly leads Sunday worship at Bethel's home-base in Redding, Calif.
  23. "PraiseCharts | "Get Your Hopes Up" Sheet Music (Josh Baldwin)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  24. "PraiseCharts | "Endlessly" Sheet Music (Josh Baldwin)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  25. "PraiseCharts | "You're My Home" Sheet Music (Josh Baldwin)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  26. "PraiseCharts | "The War Is Over" Sheet Music (Josh Baldwin)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  27. "PraiseCharts | "You Deserve It All" Sheet Music (Josh Baldwin)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  28. "PraiseCharts | "Fountains" Sheet Music (Josh Baldwin)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  29. "PraiseCharts | "Abraham" Sheet Music (Josh Baldwin)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  30. "PraiseCharts | "Holding On" Sheet Music (Josh Baldwin)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  31. "PraiseCharts | "Found in You" Sheet Music (Josh Baldwin)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  32. "PraiseCharts | "Peace" Sheet Music (Josh Baldwin)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  33. "ARIA Digital Albums Chart.pdf?seq=13" (PDF). ARIA. Australian Recording Industry Association Ltd. June 5, 2017. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  34. "Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart Top 20 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. June 8, 2017. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
  35. "Josh Baldwin Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  36. "Josh Baldwin Chart History (Digital Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  37. "Josh Baldwin Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  38. "Josh Baldwin Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
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