Life After Death by TobyMac

Singer-songwriter TobyMac’s personal voyage the past couple of years has been extremely difficult. First, his 21-year-old son, Truett, died from a drug overdose, and then less than a year later his sister, Kristen, died suddenly. Mac’s latest release, Life After Death, speaks to loss and victory in his struggle. “This record chronicles the journey I have been on over the last two years, and somehow through it, I have experienced the goodness of God,” he said in a release. The 15-track recording features 11 songs with guest artists including Sheryl Crow, Zach Williams, Cory Asbury, Blessing Offor, and Mac’s old DC Talk band mates Michael Tait and Kevin Max. It offers lament songs such as “21 Years” (about Mac’s son), “Everything About You,” and “Promised Land,” whereas encouraging songs include “Help is on the Way” and “The Goodness.” Mac fans also will recognize some familiar sounds with the hiphop selection, “Life on It,” and the rap song, “Found.” Mac rarely shies away from honest and difficult topics in his music, and this album takes that philosophy to a higher, more complex level. (Capital Christian Music Group)