Forrest Frank keeps the house lights down before stepping back onto the stage for “Child of God II,” a surprise 20-track set that arrives just 10 months after his GRAMMY®-nominated debut, “Child of God,” and six months beyond his 27-song “Child of God (Deluxe).” The unexpected, unorthodox project isn’t a live album; but nevertheless, the two-time GMA Dove Award winner delivers a fresh collection created in real time during his sold-out “Child of God Tour: Part II.”
Fueled by the relentless energy brought about by his first arena run, Frank’s “Child of God II” captures the excitement surrounding the Texas native’s meteoric rise and fans’ insatiable hunger for more of his vibey Christian music.
Multi-GRAMMY®-winning mix engineer Jacob “Biz” Morris (Tori Kelly, Lecrae, Kirk Franklin) hopped on Frank’s bus to mix the sequel, and LA-based producer PERA (LANY, Tamara Jokic) spent hundreds of hours on FaceTime with Frank as the “Good Day” singer polished originals in between high-energy shows.
“Rather than make an album, market it for months, and then tour it, I wanted to finish an album during tour. I wanted to capture the current heartbeat. I love pushing the boundaries and trying new things…and that’s what this project is,” Frank shares of the creative process behind the new LP, which he announced during a tour stop at Anaheim’s Honda Center. “It honestly didn’t make any sense or seem possible, but we walked by faith and, miraculously, it all came together. I feel like this record captures where we are as a community in real time, and it feels so special. Praying God uses it to lead many to Jesus.”
“Child of God II” is a seamless continuation of its predecessor, which spent 14 weeks atop the Billboard Christian Albums Chart, becoming the biggest Christian debut of 2024. Although the LP released with little advance warning, fans had already heard eight out of 20 tracks before the record officially hit streaming platforms.
Following an intro titled “Encore” that begins with a chant from frenzied fans and morphs into another signature conversation between the young star and his grandfather, “Your Way’s Better” actually serves as the first full song. Although the viral hit initially appeared on the deluxe version, it’s currently garnering major buzz, thanks to a dance craze that’s sweeping TikTok as kids, teens and even their moms show off their choreographed moves.
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Previously released Thomas Rhett collaboration “Nothing Else” pops up midway through the tracklisting. Rhett was a special guest at Frank’s Nashville date. Emerging from the audience, the country hitmaker tripped on his way down to the arena floor. He quickly rebounded and made his way through the crowd and up to the stage to join Frank for a hyped performance of the sizzling track. It wasn’t until much later that fans learned he left Bridgestone Arena in a wheelchair after breaking his ankle during the mishap.
Rounding out the second installment, soulful R&B newcomer Nathan Davis, Jr., appears on the smooth “Woke Up This Morning,” and rapper Limoblaze joins Frank on the worshipful “Like Water.”
With songs such as “Like Water,” “Dancing in the Presence” and “In The Room,” Frank offers lo-fi worship moments that provide a slight respite from the praise party but somehow keep the rapt attention of his legion of fans. Elsewhere, the easy-like-Sunday-morning “POV” gives a rare, subtle glimpse into his simple life at home with his wife and son. Meanwhile, the laidback tropical rays of “Paradise” and “Outside” transport listeners to Frank’s utopia — a world filled with sunshine, blue skies and all around good vibes.
The vibrant “Celebration,” which bowed in time for Easter, keeps the party going with a confetti-worthy, hands-raised dance break. The joyful selection offers perfect evidence of the brilliant formula that propels Frank’s unprecedented popularity — easy-to-replicate lyrics, glass-half-full hooks and insanely infectious beats. It’s the triumphant “No L’s,” however, that takes listeners straight into the middle of the capacity crowds he’s engaging each night, as concertgoers across multiple cities can be heard singing on the hyped track.
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While “Child of God II” doesn’t necessarily break the mold of what fans have quickly come to expect from the former Surfaces member, the best portion of the entire effort comes during the penultimate track — an eight-minute “Testimony” that reveals Frank vulnerably sharing his story of faith, something he’s done each night on tour. The 30-year-old explains how, after growing up in church, he started making bad decisions that led to a life of sin. Once he got to college, he made a conscious choice to forsake his values altogether. Eventually, his brokenness drew him back to church and back to the Lord, a transformative move the K-LOVE Fan Award Artist of the Year nominee will never regret. Before closing, he encourages fans to explore a relationship with God for themselves.
“Child of God II” once again makes following Jesus fun. The full-length endeavor also proves, with Frank, standard rules don’t apply. His DIY style allows him to crank out a steady diet of songs in his own way and in his own time. And frankly, fans still can’t get enough. If nothing else, the swift sequel proves there’s likely even more music in the pipeline and, hopefully, a follow-up tour in the works, as demand continues to grow at a rapid pace.
For now, Frank’s “Child of God Tour: Part II” rolls on tonight with a stop at Tulsa’s BOK Center. The trek wraps May 17 in Tampa, Florida.
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