Former Newsboys bassist and support vocalist Phil Joel unleashes The New Normal this week, his fifth solo project and follow up to 2006’s Deliberate People CD. Offered for free, or whatever fans can afford, via philjoel.com, the project’s first single, “Call Unto Me,” also impacted AC & CHR Christian radio Friday, Sept. 19.
It’s been a year and a half since Joel left the Newsboys and a time that has seen him garner his first Dove nomination for his deliberateKids CD, and now the release of his most recent and highly anticipated solo album The New Normal. True to Joel’s previous music endeavors, the sound is melodic and full of catchy hooks; the production is rich and textured, yet still manages to project a simplicity which suits the impassioned lyrics for which Joel has come to be known.
“These songs are a call to examine the status quo in life and also establish a ‘new normal in our own lives,’ Joel said. “And normal needs to be defined by the Word, not by going along with what society establishes as acceptable.”
The New Normal is a continuation of the journey of being deliberate in one’s relationship with God, and the fruit that has come from deliberatePeople, the ministry Joel and his wife Heather started in 2005. DeliberatePeople began a few years after their pastor encouraged them to use a one-year Bible reading schedule to begin spending one-on-one time alone with God everyday. The result of this challenge was that their lives began to radically change. “To say this simple practice changed us is an understatement,” Joel said. They realized how having a deliberate encounter with God every day was the key to greater intimacy with Him and they felt called to help lead others into the same life-changing experiences through the simple practice of deliberately seeking God.
This is a message Phil is passionate about bringing to audiences of any age and with his third self-produced project, it is evident his ability as a producer/singer/songwriter and passion to deliver his message is stronger than ever.
Recently, Phil and his new band have been touring with Acquire the Fire, a Teen Mania Ministry that reaches the youth of America and will again be partnering with them performing songs from the new CD, sharing the dP message, as well as leading worship for the Spring 2009 tour.
In the midst of the past 18 months, having two young children, the Joels also realized this deliberate pursuit is not just for them as adults, but also as parents, and they decided to bring their message to the younger ones with the deliberateKids album. Not your old Sunday school repertoire, it brought a fresh sound for kids to encourage them to get to know the heart and the ways of God at a young age.
For more information on Phil Joel, deliberatePeople, and of course on The New Normal, please visit philjoel.com
