Matthew West Returns with "Live Forever"

By Timothy Yap Apr 10, 2015 07:09 AM EDT

Matthew West will release his new album, "Live Forever," on April 28 (Capitol CMG). Produced by Pete Kipley (MercyMe, Crowder), Live Forever continues West's mission to tell a story of a different kind with his music - to transform listeners' stories into life-changing songs.

"Live Forever" is now available for pre-order. The pre-order at iTunes includes two instant downloads - the album's first radio single, "Day One," as well as the title track. Additionally, two more instant downloads will become available leading up to the album's release. Those who have pre-ordered Live Forever will also receive "World Changers" on April 14, followed by "Grace Wins" on April 21. The album is also available for pre-order at Amazon and Google Play.

"Live Forever" came together by West digging deeper into more than 40,000 stories shared with him from people all over the world - stories that six years and three albums later have had a profound ripple effect - beginning with 2010's The Story of Your Life then followed by Into the Light in 2012. While preparing for the new album, West's greater goal was to create songs full of joy and life, not just life on earth - but life that is to come.
"It was important this time around to say that there is joy in this life," West shares. "With so much defeat all around us, people need to know there is victory. Maybe my job in reading a lot of these desperate stories is to extract the hope, to say 'God is a God of hope.' This was a very decisive album, in that way."

West also wanted to acknowledge that no one has a perfect story. "We could spend the rest of our lives on the past, or we could look ahead, trusting God to write the best parts of our story starting now," he explains. "I've always had this desire to connect to the hearts of people through the songs that I write. But the past six years have kind of ruined me for ordinary. It's at such a deeper level now because nothing is more meaningful than sitting down to write songs from these stories. And it's freed me up. I'm just not interested in songs for hits sake. As long as people write to me, I'll keep writing their songs, pointing people to the greater story."

During a quick break from touring, West attended last week's ASCAP Christian Music Awards held in Franklin, Tennessee. At the ceremony West earned his second ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter-Artist of the Year award. He first claimed the title in 2013. West also earned three ASCAP most-performed song awards, for his own chart-topping single, "Do Something," as well as for Josh Wilson's "Pushing Back the Dark" and Casting Crowns' "Thrive."
"What an honor to receive this recognition from ASCAP," West shared with the audience. "I am so proud to be part of this community of songwriters in Nashville, and thankful that I have the opportunity to share this music that I am so passionate about with the world. I'm also appreciative of the work ASCAP is doing to protect the rights of songwriters and look forward to partnering with them for many years to come."

At last year's ceremony, West was named ASCAP's top Christian Music Songwriter of the Year and earned the ASCAP Christian Music Song of the Year award for his single, "Hello My Name Is." Pictured here is West accepting his Songwriter-Artist of the Year award.

West is currently headlining his Live Forever Tour. The tour kicked off earlier this month and will run through the first week of May, the 40-city tour is presented by Compassion International. A special VIP ticket package is being made available on most dates in addition to the standard ticketing options.

Live Forever track listing:

1. Live Forever

2. Day One

3. The List

4. World Changers

5. Grace Wins

6. Tryin'

7. Mended

8. Anything is Possible

9. Born For This

10. Oh, Me of Little Faith

11. Heaven Is The Hope