Life After Death

TobyMac’s life changed drastically between the releases of his 2018 album, The Elements, and Life After Death, as he unexpectedly lost his eldest son, Truett McKeehan, in 2020. Accordingly, much of Life After Death grapples with exactly that: moving forward in the wake of unspeakable loss. Though grief is a through line on the album, Life After Death is not a sombre affair, with no shortage of the pop- and hip-hop-influenced worship music for which TobyMac is known and loved. Opening track “Help Is on the Way (Maybe Midnight)” sets a hopeful tone, celebrating the security found in trusting God. “Promised Land”, a collaboration with Sheryl Crow, is an optimistic take on searching for comfort and peace. And the collection’s emotional core is “21 Years,” a heart-wrenching tribute to McKeehan. Guests on the album include singer-songwriter/pianist Blessing Offor on the soulful cut “The Goodness” and fellow CCM artist Tauren Wells on the searching “Deeper”.