What Are We Waiting For? is the fifth studio album by For King & Country, an Australian Christian pop duo comprising brothers Luke Smallbone and Joel Smallbone, released via Word Entertainment on 11 March 2022.[2] The album contains guest appearances by Dante Bowe, Sleeping at Last, Tori Kelly, and Kirk Franklin.[3] The duo collaborated with Tedd T., Josh Kerr, Jeff Sojka, Federico Vindver, Benjamin Backus, and Seth Mosley in the production of the album.[4]
| What Are We Waiting For? | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 11 March 2022 | |||
| Recorded | 2021[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 39:30 | |||
| Label | Word Entertainment | |||
| Producer |
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| For King & Country chronology | ||||
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| Singles from What Are We Waiting For? | ||||
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The album was supported by the release of "Relate" and "For God Is with Us" as singles. Both peaked at No. 1 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart. "Unsung Hero" and "Love Me Like I Am" were released as promotional singles. The album is also being promoted with the What Are We Waiting For? – The Tour, spanning cities across the United States.[5]
The album was a commercial success, launching at No. 7 on the US Billboard 200 with 32,000 equivalent album units sold in its first week,[6] concurrently becoming the duo's first No. 1 entry on Billboard's Christian Albums chart.[7] At the 2022 GMA Dove Awards, What Are We Waiting For? received a GMA Dove Award nomination for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year, while "Relate" received two nominations for Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year and Short Form Music Video of the Year (Concept), "For God Is with Us" getting nominated for Short Form Music Video of the Year (Performance), and What Are We Waiting For? | The Worldwide Special getting nominated for Long Form Video of the Year,[8] ultimately winning the Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year, Long Form Video of the Year, and Short Form Video of the Year (Concept) awards.[9]
Background
editOn 11 October 2021, For King & Country announced that What Are We Waiting For? would be their fifth album, slated for release on 11 March 2022, while also announcing their tour to promote the album.[10] The album contains thirteen original tracks and marks their first full-length project of new music since Burn the Ships (2018).[11] On 7 January 2022, For King & Country released the album track listing accompanying the album pre-order announcement, indicating that previously released singles "Relate" and "For God Is with Us" were included on the album, as well as their 2020 hit single "Together" alongside Tori Kelly and Kirk Franklin.[12] Additional guest appearances on the album included Dante Bowe and Sleeping at Last.[13] What Are We Waiting For? was released on 11 March 2022,[14] with the duo performing songs from the album at the Vines Center during Liberty University's Convocation in Lynchburg, Virginia.[15]
What Are We Waiting For? marks the first time that duo has chosen an album title that does not relate to a track on the album, Joel Smallbone explaining: "First of all, we want the album to be received and digested as an entire piece, rather than as a collection with a title track. But also, because there was something in the question 'what are we waiting for?' that really had pinged Luke and me in the process. And I think it means something different for all of us. My personal 'what are we waiting for?' is that I am waiting for the moment when I'm not waiting for something. And I think that part of the beauty of the question is that you find yourself in it."[16]
On 16 June 2023, the band released the single "What Are We Waiting For?", which had not previously been a track on an album. On 10 August, the band announced the deluxe version of the album alongside the release of the music video for "What Are We Waiting For?". It is released on 15 September, and feature 4 additional songs, including "What Are We Waiting For?", collaborations with Hillary Scott and Jordin Sparks on "For God Is with Us" and "Love Me Like I Am", respectively, and an unreleased track, titled "Better Man".[17]
Recording, production
editFor King & Country began writing and recording the album in studio full-time in early 2021, as opposed to slotting in sessions while touring and other commitments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, describing their approach to the process as "nine-to-five."[1] Joel Smallbone shared with American Songwriter that he had the initial idea for recording a new album shortly after concluding A Drummer Boy Drive-In: The Christmas Tour, later approaching his brother Luke and began planning.[18] Joel Smallbone said that the decision to include 2020 song "Together" on the album was based on the song having taken years to write,[19] having been initially planned to be part of their 2018 album, Burn the Ships, but they failed to finish it in time.[1]
Release and promotion
editSingles
edit"Relate" was released on 6 August 2021 as the lead single from the album.[20] The song peaked at No. 1 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart,[21] and No. 6 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.[22]
"For God Is with Us" was released on 24 September 2021 as the second single from the album, as well as its accompanying music video.[23] The song peaked at No. 3 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart.[21]
Promotional singles
editOn 7 January 2022, For King & Country launched the digital pre-order of the album, releasing "Unsung Hero" as an instant grat from the album, accompanied with its music video.[24] "Unsung Hero" peaked at No. 42 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart.[21]
For King & Country released "Love Me Like I Am" as an instant grat from the album on 18 February 2022, accompanied with its music video.[25] "Love Me Like I Am" peaked at No. 38 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart.[21]
Other songs
editThe music video for "Broken Halos" was released on 11 March 2022, coinciding with the album's release.[26] "Broken Halos" peaked at No. 37 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart.[21]
What Are We Waiting For? | The Worldwide Special
editOn 11 March 2022, For King and Country announced that they will avail an online performance titled What Are We Waiting For? | The Worldwide Special, filmed in the Mojave Desert in California, via Facebook and YouTube on 21 March 2022.[27] On 21 March 2022, the duo announced that the special will premiere on 24 March 2022, partnering with Convoy of Hope for the benefit of Ukrainian people affected by the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[28] On 27 March 2022, they appeared on Fox & Friends, where they announced that they raised over $150,000 for aiding Ukrainian refugees.[29]
Reception
editCritical response
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| 365 Days of Inspiring Media | 5/5[30] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout |   [31] |
| JubileeCast | 4/5[32] |
| Today's Christian Entertainment |  [33] |
Jesus Freak Hideout's Alex Caldwell gave a favourable review of the album, saying: "With a sorely needed theme of unity and togetherness in these troubled times, What Are We Waiting For? proves that you can have a few uneven moments (in life, or on an album) and still be wildly uplifting in what you do."[31] Timothy Yap of JubileeCast praised the album, saying, "What Are We Waiting For? is by no means a perfect record, but it's a thematically tight album with a diverse array of songs helping us how we can better relate to each other and God."[32] Kelly Meade, indicating in a positive review at Today's Christian Entertainment, said "Throughout the album, brothers Joel & Luke highlight the need for mercy, peace and being there for people around us to encourage them as they face the challenges of life. The tone of this album feels different from the duos past releases and yet is still unmistakably For King & Country as it presents the messages within the songs as only they can."[33] Reviewing for Plugged In, Kennedy Unthank wrote: "For King & Country's What Are We Waiting For? provides a deep look into how we can deal with the reality of human suffering and fallibility—and its lyrics stay clean throughout. The songs on the album explore various means of coping with pain, whether that be through family and friends, unity and growth or trust in the faithfulness of God."[34] Jonathan Andre in his 365 Days of Inspiring Media review opined that "an album so joyous and life-giving that it's quite possibly one of my favourite albums of this year thus far. Brothers Joel and Luke can do no wrong, and while they are still relatively 'pigeonholed' within the confines and context of CCM over the last decade, hopefully into the future, they can break new moulds and soar to new heights, allowing their music to impact mainstream media as well."[30]
Accolades
edit| Year | Organization | Award | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | GMA Dove Awards | Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year | Won | |
| Long Form Video of the Year (What Are We Waiting For? - The Worldwide Special) |
Won |
| Publication | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jesus Freak Hideout | 2022 Staff Picks: Alex Caldwell's Album Picks | 1 | |
| 2022 Staff Picks: Wayne Myatt's Album Picks | 8 | ||
| NewReleaseToday | Best of 2022: Top 10 Albums of the Year | — |
Touring
editIn the spring of 2022 and 2023, the band embarked on the What Are We Waiting For Tour, with the former year featuring Dante Bowe.[38]
Commercial performance
editIn the United States, What Are We Waiting For? debuted at No. 7 on the mainstream Billboard 200 chart dated 26 March 2022, earning a total of 32,000 equivalent album units in sales in its first week.[6] This is the duo's second top ten entry on the Billboard 200, following their 2018 album Burn the Ships.[6] The album also debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart, being their second chart-topping album.[7]
In Australia, What Are We Waiting For? debuted at No. 62 on the ARIA Top 100 Albums Chart for the week commencing 21 March 2022.[39] What Are We Waiting For? launched at No. 3 on the Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart dated 18–24 March 2022, as published by the Official Charts Company in the United Kingdom.[40] The album also charted on the Swiss Hitparade at No. 83.[41]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Relate" |
|
| 2:53 |
| 2. | "Broken Halos" |
|
| 3:12 |
| 3. | "Love Me Like I Am" |
|
| 3:05 |
| 4. | "Unity" (with Dante Bowe) |
|
| 3:30 |
| 5. | "For God Is with Us" |
|
| 3:16 |
| 6. | "Hold On Pain Ends" |
|
| 2:51 |
| 7. | "Unsung Hero" |
|
| 3:31 |
| 8. | "Harmony" (with Sleeping at Last) |
|
| 1:12 |
| 9. | "Shy" |
|
| 2:53 |
| 10. | "Together" (with Tori Kelly and Kirk Franklin) |
|
| 3:26 |
| 11. | "Seasons" |
|
| 3:16 |
| 12. | "Cheering You On" |
|
| 3:23 |
| 13. | "Benediction" |
| Kerr | 3:02 |
| Total length: | 39:30 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "What Are We Waiting For?" |
|
| 3:14 |
| 2. | "Relate" |
|
| 2:53 |
| 3. | "Broken Halos" |
|
| 3:12 |
| 4. | "Love Me Like I Am" (with Jordin Sparks) |
|
| 3:07 |
| 5. | "Unity" (with Dante Bowe) |
|
| 3:30 |
| 6. | "For God Is with Us" (with Hillary Scott) |
|
| 3:19 |
| 7. | "Hold On Pain Ends" |
|
| 2:51 |
| 8. | "Unsung Hero" |
|
| 3:31 |
| 9. | "Harmony" (with Sleeping at Last) |
|
| 1:12 |
| 10. | "Shy" |
|
| 2:53 |
| 11. | "Better Man" |
|
| 3:09 |
| 12. | "Together" (with Tori Kelly and Kirk Franklin) |
|
| 3:26 |
| 13. | "Seasons" |
|
| 3:16 |
| 14. | "Cheering You On" |
|
| 3:23 |
| 15. | "Benediction" |
| Kerr | 3:02 |
| 16. | "Love Me Like I Am" |
|
| 3:04 |
| 17. | "For God Is with Us" |
|
| 3:16 |
| Total length: | 52:10 | |||
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
|
Year-end chartsedit
|
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 11 March 2022 | Word Entertainment | [50] |
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Nicholson, Jessica (11 March 2022). "For King & Country's Luke Smallbone on 'What Are We Waiting For' Album – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ "JFH News: for KING and COUNTRY Drop New Studio Album Today, "What Are We Waiting For?"". Jesus Freak Hideout. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ Chavez, Adriana (7 January 2022). "for KING & COUNTRY Launch Album Pre-Order with Release of the New Single 'Unsung Hero'". Vacancy Magazine. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ "7 Things to Know About FOR KING + COUNTRY's New Album : News : JubileeCast". JubileeCast. 6 January 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ^ "Louder Than The Music - for King & Country Announce Brand New Album 'What Are We Waiting For?'". The Christian Beat. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ a b c Caulfield, Keith (20 March 2022). "Lil Durk Scores Second No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 With '7220' – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
for KING & COUNTRY lands its second top 10 album on the Billboard 200 as the duo's latest release, What Are We Waiting For?, bows at No. 7 with nearly 32,000 equivalent album units earned.
- ^ a b Asker, Jim (24 March 2022). "For King & Country's 'What Are We Waiting For?' Album Goes No. 1 – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
for King & Country, the duo of brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone, nabs its second No. 1 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart, as What Are We Waiting For? opens with 32,000 equivalent album units (28,000 in album sales) in its first week, ending March 17, according to Luminate, formerly MRC Data. The set follows the duo's Burn the Ships, which anchored atop the tally in October 2018.
- ^ Longs, Herb (10 August 2022). "Watch: Nominations For 53rd Annual GMA Dove Awards Announced - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
- ^ Nicholson, Jessica (21 October 2022). "2022 GMA Dove Awards Winners: CeCe Winans & Anne Wilson Lead – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
- ^ "for KING & COUNTRY 'What Are We Waiting For?' Out Mar 11 | CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ Farthing, Lydia (11 October 2021). "For King & Country Unveils 'What Are We Waiting For?' Album & Tour - MusicRow.com". Music Row. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ "for KING & COUNTRY Launch Pre-Order For 'What Are We Waiting For?' | CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine. 7 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ "JFH News: FOR KING + COUNTRY to Launch Pre-Order of New Album Jan. 7". Jesus Freak Hideout. 7 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ St. Cyr, Sylvia (11 March 2022). "WATCH: For King & Country release new album and music video - CHVNRadio: Southern Manitoba's hub for local and Christian news, and adult contemporary Christian programming". CHVNRadio. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ Couch, Jacob (11 March 2022). "for KING & COUNTRY debuts new album at Liberty University Convocation » Liberty News". Liberty University. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ Beach, Kylie (10 March 2022). "For KING & COUNTRY'S Joel Smallbone shares why new album 'just feels more Australian' - Eternity News". Eternity News. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ Watts, Cindy (10 August 2023). "For KING + COUNTRY Unveil Cinematic 'What Are We Waiting For?' Video as They Announce Deluxe Album (Exclusive)". Peoplemag. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ Uitti, Jacob (7 March 2022). "For King & Country Uses Experience to Tap into New Album 'What Are We Waiting For?' - American Songwriter". American Songwriter. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ "for KING & COUNTRY | Artist Interview — lead worship well". lead worship well. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ Clarks, Jessie (6 August 2021). "For KING & COUNTRY Premiere New Single "Relate" - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "For King & Country". Billboard. Hot Christian Songs Chart History. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ "For King & Country". Billboard. Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart History. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ Cluver, Ross (24 September 2021). "for KING & COUNTRY Releases 'For God Is With Us' | CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ Clarks, Jessie (7 January 2022). "For KING & COUNTRY Launches Album Pre-Order & Releases New Song - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ Clarks, Jessie (18 February 2022). "For KING & COUNTRY Preview Upcoming Album With "Love Me Like I Am" - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
- ^ "for KING + COUNTRY Drops New Album 'What Are We Waiting For?' | CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ Clarks, Jessie (11 March 2022). "For KING & COUNTRY Drops Much Anticipated 'What Are We Waiting For?' Album - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ Clarks, Jessie (21 March 2022). "For KING & COUNTRY Announce 'What Are We Waiting For?' Worldwide Special - TCB". The Christian Beat. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ Hamilton, Heather (27 March 2022). "WATCH: For King + Country concert raises $150,000 to benefit Ukrainian refugees | Washington Examiner". Washington Examiner. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- ^ a b Andre, Jonathan (9 May 2022). "For KING & COUNTRY – What Are We Waiting For? | 365 Days Of Inspiring Media". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ a b Caldwell, Alex (9 March 2022). "Jesusfreakhideout.com: for KING & COUNTRY, "What Are We Waiting For?" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ a b Yap, Timothy (10 March 2022). "for KING & COUNTRY "What Are We Waiting For?" Album Review : Exclusives : JubileeCast". JubileeCast. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ a b Meade, Kelly (9 March 2022). "for King & Country 'What Are We Waiting For?' – Today's Christian Entertainment". Today's Christian Entertainment. Avada. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ Unthank, Kennedy (14 March 2022). "What Are We Waiting For? - Plugged In". JubileeCast. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
- ^ "2022 Winners | The 53rd Annual GMA Dove Awards". GMA Dove Awards. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
- ^ "JesusfreakHideout.com 2022 Staff Picks". Jesus Freak Hideout. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ Davis, Kevin (15 December 2022). "Best of 2022: Top 10 Albums of the Year | NRT LISTS | NewReleaseToday". NewReleaseToday. NRT Media, Inc. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ Farthing, Lydia (11 October 2021). "For King & Country Unveils 'What Are We Waiting For?' Album & Tour". MusicRow.com. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
- ^ "australian-charts.com - Forum - 220321 ARIA Chartifacts 21st of March, 2022 (ARIA Charts: Weekly ARIA Chartifacts)". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ a b "Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart Top 20 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ "Schweizer Hitparade - Alben Top 100 - hitparade.ch". hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 21 March 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1672. Australian Recording Industry Association. 21 March 2022. p. 6.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – For King & Country – What Are We Waiting For?". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ "For King Country Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ "For King Country Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ "For King Country Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ "Top Christian Albums – Billboard". Billboard. Year-End Chart. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
- ^ "Top Christian Albums – Billboard". Billboard. Year-End Chart. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ "What Are We Waiting For? by for KING & COUNTRY on Amazon Music - Amazon.com". Amazon.com. Retrieved 15 January 2022.