A Million Lights is a studio album by Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith, released on February 16, 2018. It was his first pop album in four years and a follow-up to Sovereign (2014). The album was a new musical direction for Smith and marked a departure from his previous sound.
Contents
Background
Smith began working on this album in January 2017, under the title Revolution. Originally it was set to be released in October 2017 but ultimately was postponed to February 2018. The first single from the album, "A Million Lights", was released on August 11, 2017. The album is a mix of pop music with some EDM influences.
Critical reception
John Palluska from ChristianHeadlines.com gave the album an overwhelmingly positive review, describing it as "one of the best albums to come out in Christian music."
Personnel
Michael W. Smith – lead vocals, backing vocals (1–7, 11, 12), vocoder (1, 7), acoustic piano (1, 5–7, 9, 10, 12), organ (1, 7), programming (2–4, 8, 9, 11, 12), acoustic guitars (6, 11), electric guitars (6, 7), orchestration (12)
Kyle Lee – acoustic piano (1, 5, 6), synthesizer programming (1, 5–7), bass (1, 5–7), drum programming (1, 5–7), backing vocals (1, 5, 7), electric guitars (5, 7), acoustic guitars (6, 7), Rhodes electric piano (6)
Joe Thibodeau – synthesizer programming (1, 5, 6), drum programming (1, 5, 6)
Bryan Todd – programming (2–4, 8–12), backing vocals (9)
Matt Stanfield – acoustic piano (13), synthesizer (13)
Paul Moak – synthesizer (13), electric guitar (13), slide guitar (13)
Casey Moore – electric guitars (1, 5–7)
Jonathan Martin Berry – acoustic guitar (3, 8, 9, 11, 12), electric guitar (3, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12)
Stuart Garrard – electric guitars (5, 7, 13)
Kris Donegan – acoustic guitar (13)
Matt Pierson – bass (13)
Jacob Arnold – drums (5, 6)
Chris Leidhecker – drums (6, 7)
Fred Eltringham – drums (13), tambourine (13)
Brent Milligan – upright bass (10), cello (12)
Carol Rabinowitz – cello (10)
Kristin Wilkinson – viola (10)
David Davidson – violin (10), orchestration (10)
Conni Ellisor – violin (10)
Jason Walker – backing vocals (2–4, 8, 9, 11)
Vanessa Campagna – backing vocals (3, 8, 9, 12)
Thad Cockrell – backing vocals (6)
Calvin Nowell – group vocals (7)
Debi Selby – group vocals (7)
Emoni Wilkins – group vocals (7)
Rebekah White – backing vocals (9)
Jordin Sparks – lead vocals (10)
Production
Chaz Corzine – executive producer
Greg Ham – executive producer
Michael W. Smith – executive producer, co-producer
Derek Spirk – associate executive producer
Kyle Lee – producer (1, 5–7), engineer (1, 5–7), mixing (1, 5–7)
Bryan Todd – producer (2–4, 8–12), engineer (2–4, 8–12), mixing (2–4, 8–12)
Paul Moak – producer (13), mixing (13)
Devin Vaughan – engineer (13)
Brendan Gelais – assistant engineer (13)
Zack Zinick – assistant engineer (13)
Bob Boyd – mastering at Ambient Digital (Houston, Texas)
Keelin Crew – A&R administration
Jeremy Cowart – photography
Brody Harper – creative director
Nick DePartee – art, design
The MWS Group – management