Ben Rector delivers testimony of joy in latest album
Hannah Cote
Rarely do we find pop songs that explicitly mention God.
Whether it’s from personal fear, or the belief that God isn’t trendy enough to top the charts, many artists fear mentioning anything remotely religious.
But singer-songwriter Ben Rector’s latest album, “The Joy of Music,” is far more than just another catchy pop album—it’s the story of Rector’s encounters with God and the rediscovery of how God has been working in his life.
This album is a masterpiece and a gift in itself, but Rector is also bringing “The Joy of Music” to life with The National Symphony Orchestra and Cody Fry at The Kennedy Center in January 2023.
Released in March, “The Joy of Music” tells the story of Rector’s pursuit of joy and hope. While there’s typically a stark divide between faith-based and non-faith-based music, nearly all of Rector’s songs explicitly direct listeners’ attention to God—all in a fun, singer-songwriter-pop piece of art.
“When I was making this record, I was operating from a place of wanting to find joy in the process,” Rector said.
He isn’t ashamed of proclaiming exactly who and what he believes in, and he believes that God is worth more than just a quick shoutout.
Next time you lose your joy and hope, let Rector remind you that this world is supernatural—we just have to keep our eyes up and open, and say thank you.
Hannah Cote is a senior at Hillsdale College studying English and journalism. She has interned at The National Catholic Register and Verily Magazine.
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