Liverpool, UK (June 24, 2022)
Liverpool-based worship leader, songwriter and Christian music artist, Ian Yates, has released his sixth studio album, Between the Joy and the Sorrow, this year in 2 parts. Part 1 is due out on June 24th with Part 2 to follow later in the year. The album will also be available in the Apple Music Spatial Audio format and Dolby Atmos on Amazon and Tidal. Once again Ian has teamed up with producer Trevor Michael (Snow Patrol, Matt Redman, Delirious, Tree 63, Martin Smith) for what 7Core Music believe to be not only a stunning collection of well-crafted songs, but presented as two exceptional albums that fit together as a single work of art. Ian is not afraid to ask the big questions many of this generation have found themselves asking over the last few years with a maturity and honesty many of us lack, proving himself to be one of the finest artists and songwriters in the present UK Christian and Gospel music scene.

Between the Joy and the Sorrow is a collection of honest songs of living in the tension of life’s joys and sorrows. Musically, Yates found inspiration in a number of singer/songwriters including 70’s folk singer Nick Drake, Foy Vance, Alexi Murdoch, Bob Dylan and the Nebraska album from Bruce Springsteen. Many of the songs are stripped back musically focusing on the lyrical content.

Ian Yates
Between the joy and the Sorrow Part 2
(7Core Music)

YouTube Album Playlist:

Spotify Album Playlist:

Yates says, ‘I wanted to write really honest songs, I’ve always tried to write songs of truth and authentic songs of hope. These songs are born out of the last two years as we’ve navigated this pandemic. Throughout this time I have come back to a simple trust in God. Often, I found myself disappointed with the things I’d seen, I found myself getting frustrated and lost in the opinions of people, the many perceptions of God, the incorrect prophecies, the politics and politicians. But at the end of the day, I’m only responsible for myself and I had to look at myself and say, am I living a life of true devotion and worship? Am I living the way of Jesus? There’s a lot of strong voices out there and am I listening to God’s voice? Over the last 2 years I’ve felt like I’ve been living in the tensions of God’s faithfulness and provision yet facing struggles and wrestling with the things I’d seen. My prayer is that these songs bring hope to those who have been disillusioned and remind those who have been disappointed that there is a light in the darkness, there is a Father who loves his children.

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