For nearly two decades, ranging from Seattle to Indianapolis—and many places in between—Nathan has offered and honed his songwriting to and for the church. This album carries a maturity and depth only possible after years creating, playing and serving among God’s people.

Throughout these eleven tracks there’s a lushness that is, at times, so layered you forget the challenge or, in turns, deep lyrical comfort at hand. This demonstrates the alchemy Nathan has mastered: seasoned spiritual and biblical reflection offered with honey straight from the comb. For a record to accomplish this, especially in the crowded and odd world of “modern worship”, is no small thing.

If you listen to A Lovely Wait immediately after Nathan’s preceding work, one of the first things you’ll notice is how sonically restrained it is. The holy rock-n-roll swagger and vocal abandon of Jaywalker (think “Love is a Gift”) is almost entirely shelved in favor of hushed keys, heartbeat-like percussive textures and delicate melodies.  Taken as a pair, these records prove music crafted in and for the church can and, indeed, should possess a dynamic emotional and musical range.