Jonathan McReynolds would admit to this: hardly anyone starts adult life with everything figured out. Stepping into adulthood, life seems to demand more than ever from you. There’s a whole new bunch of responsibilities, expectations, and standards you suddenly have to uphold.
The tragedy is: they don’t wait untill you’re ready, no! They’ll just keep coming and bumping onto your unprepared, and ‘uncultured adult’ self. Boom!
So while being hit and bruised, you’re constantly trying to figure yourself out, “Who am I, and what is all this hullabaloo,” as if you were a toddler. Man even toddlers might be better at this!
So what do you do, cower back into your former toddler? No, you face it and do it scared, do it uncomfortable.
Doing music ‘scared’
McReynolds says this on an interview with Mei Holmes, “One thing I live by is do it scared. In general, people always feel like we have to be ready for stuff…and honestly time never stops.”
True to that; time won’t ever stop, and opportunities won’t always hang around waiting. So that leaves you with this option: to live intently and figure things on the fly.
McReynolds grew up a math kid, and didn’t expect to become a musician. He doesn’t spare the chance to say it whenever interviewed. At one time he says, “I didn’t expect any of this.” Again he says, “None of this is comfortable, I just got used to being uncomfortable.”
His musical career mushroomed from an EP recorded at college in his dorm room. He didn’t anticipate the attention the EP drew. It went from being played by a friend in a car, to a gym, to a church and finally on radio. It even hit no.98 on Billboard 200.
That’s how a nerdy computer science enthusiast turned into a musician!
Wholesome, authentic music
From the debut EP to the latest single released, Jonathan McReynolds‘ music has maintained the character and voice of a young, growing person defining themselves, and figuring out how to integrate faith into their life.
In his first song ‘No Gray‘, you can literally hear McReynolds’ strife between loving the world and loving God:
Lord, I’m split into two
No Gray by Jonathan McReynolds
Part of me loves the world and the other loves You
So what do I do
I wanna be saved but I gotta stay cool too
And no I’m not a fool I know eventually I’m gonna have to choose
McReynolds says that at the time of writing this song, he was trying to define himself as a church boy now in college, and evidently not living up to his faith.
The song addresses the duplicity of life that many believers are stuck in. McReynolds expresses this seemingly simple but insidious matter so soulfuly, while admonishing his audience for it and also giving corrective instruction to turn back – and it comes out wholesome. It’s the kinda music that inspires people to change for good.
Across his discography, McReynolds maintains this authentic (honest-to-life) style of songwriting. As a result, his music has found a place in the hearts of a young audience grappling with adulting.
In his own words he describes his songwriting as one that starts with humanity’s problems, and goes to Christianity for answers.
Notable works
Here are tracks from each one of McReynolds’ five albums you’d love to hear:
- Lovin’ Me – Life Music, 2012
McReynolds struggled with acne. Yes, it might not be so apparent now. He wrote the song speaking of the unchanging love of God, despite his own struggle to love himself for the things he fell short of, a smooth flawless face included.
No Gray is also on this album.
- Limp – Life Music Stage 2, 2015
Tired, hurt, broken, and imperfect, one might think it comforting to give up the walk of faith. This song encourages to walk with that limp, lay every burden onto Christ and get the strength to keep walking.
Other notable tracks from the album include Gotta Have You and The Way That You love Me.
- Make Room – Make Room, 2018
Distractions, a busy life or life’s challenges can often deny quality time with God. This is a song that acclaims devotion to God, a reminder of an obligation to make room for God.
More tracks from Make Room, 2018:
Cycles: A soulful song about redundant cycles of life and a prayer to end cycles.
Lover of My Soul: Through all lack, doubt, and brokenness, the song reminds of God’s sufficiency and the need to trust Him.
Better: A reminder to do better at life than the former day
Comparison Kills: Does this need any explanation, haha?
- God is Good – Make More Room, 2018
Oftentimes, battles, struggles, and bad days can lead to despair. But this song is a prayer for them to be proof of God’s goodness.
Try is another notable track on this album reminding to try a little harder to become whom we ought to be.
- People – People, 2020
A hearty song about hurt from people. It can be hard to heal from such hurt. Sometimes we’re the victims, other times the perpetrators. This is a song of prayer to heal.
Other notables from the album include: Grace, Cathedral and Situation.
- Adulting – Jonny x Mali Live in LA, 2021
‘Adulting is an honor, but so many problems’ – one of the lines on this song. The song speaks to the many perils of starting and fitting into adult life. But it reminds that some things aren’t worth the stress. All one can do is pray and trust.
McReynolds features Mali Music on this song and the rest of the album.
- Latest Releases in 2022:
McReynolds has two new tracks: Your World and Yours To Use, a collaboration with Aaron Cole.
Well, sometimes we need a track not just to entertain, but admonish, encourage and relate. I hope this article helps expand your library. Thank you for reading.
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