If Forrest Frank’s Child of God was the breakthrough, Child of God II is the confirmation. With this deeply emotional, genre-blending follow-up, Forrest doesn’t just prove his staying power — he stakes his claim as both a champion and innovator of Christian music for a new generation.

I don’t say that lightly. We grew up with giants. DC Talk, Audio Adrenaline, Newsboys — artists who weren’t afraid to be fun, bold, authentic, and unapologetically faith-driven. Our kids deserve their own version of that. And in Forrest Frank, they have found it.

This sequel album leans into softer production, more gospel-pop, and emotional depth — but still delivers plenty of viral, high-energy joy. And while many of these tracks have already made waves online, the full body of work hits different when experienced in sequence, especially with the surprise drop announcement just a few weeks ago.

We got the album earlier this week and I chose to experience it the best way I know how: with the biggest and most honest Forrest Frank fans I know — my kids. Ryker (12), and the twins Golda and Georgia (9) gave me their takes on the first 10 tracks. But before we get to that, I have to talk about the opening.

The album begins with “Encore” — like in C.O.G., the album doesn’t open with a blistering pop song to get you on your feet – but once again – a sacred moment. The crowd roars as we hear Forrest call his grandfather, who you’ll recognize from the 1980s sermon that opens the original Child of God album. What unfolds is a vulnerable, real-life phone call. They talk about life, faith, and even Forrest’s now-world-famous “Your Way’s Better” dance. The track ends with a raw, unscripted prayer from his grandfather.

If you aren’t thinking about your grandparents – and for many of us missing them – you will be. I was in tears. So was my wife. I don’t know if Forrest meant to start the album with something that heavy but thank God he did. It reorients you to the 20-track experience you’re about to go on.

Musically, Child of God 2 is more chill than its predecessor — a little less hip-hop, a little more lo-fi. But don’t let that fool you. It’s still modern, still creative, and still full of “put-this-on-repeat” moments. The first half takes its time. But if you’ve been to Forrest’s live show (and I have — it was one of the best I’ve ever seen), you know the back half of this album is going to bring the FIRE.

We’ll dive into the rest next week. In the meantime, here’s how the kids reacted to tracks 2–10:

TRACK-BY-TRACK REVIEW (BY RYKER, GOLDA, & GEORGIA)

Ryker: “We all love this song. The dance is captivating people all over the globe.”
Georgia: “Very catchy! Everyone at school does the dance.”
Golda: “I really like it.”

Ryker: “I like this one, but felt it was a better live experience.”

Ryker: “It sounds like a video game — but in a good way. Like the music from Sonic the Hedgehog.”
Golda: “There has to be a TikTok dance for this.”
Ryker: “I had to learn what COG and GTG meant!”
Playful, upbeat, and built for repeat listens. Kids love it. You will too.

Ryker: “It reminded me of ‘Big House’ by Audio Adrenaline. It makes you feel like you have to sway.”
Golda: “It’s fun!”

Ryker: “It’s upbeat hip-hop. Feels like something you’d hear in an arena.”
Georgia: “This is more what I expected from Forrest. Probably my favorite so far.”
Golda: “It’s super fun!”
This is Forrest in his element — big beat, bold message.

Ryker: “Very beachy.”
Golda: “It sounds really chill!”
Georgia: “I really like this one.”
A warm, relaxing track with vacation-energy gospel vibes.

Ryker: “It’s a mix of hip hop and lo-fi with some catchy lyrics. The backup singing brings it to life.”
Golda: “It’s gospel-infused.”
Perfect for morning devotions — or morning carpool, in our case.

Ryker: “It’s a slow song you could use for bedtime music.”
Georgia: “Made me feel warm.”
Soothing and sacred.

Ryker: “One of my favorite Forrest Frank songs ever. It’s serious, catchy, and motivating.”
Georgia: “You feel something when you hear it.”
It’s the emotional heart of the first half — raw, reflective, and deeply moving.

Final Thoughts

As someone who grew up with Christian music that meant something — Forrest Frank gives me hope. Frank is blazing a new trail. Child of God II is a solid sequel: more intimate, more intentional, and just as infectious.

And we’re only halfway there.

What’s Next?

Next week, we’ll drop Part Two of this review and tackle the back half of the album — including Drop!, POV, Celebration, and the tracks Forrest already destroyed live.

But for now, I’ve gotta drop these kids off at school.

More soon.