DREAM Records’ pop/CCM band Futures is gearing up for the release of their new LP, Hills & Horizons, on January 7th. The 11-song album is a beautiful blend of pop, alternative and adult contemporary sounds filled with melodies of hope for listeners seeking a richer experience of God. Andrew Barlow, Mark Evans, Chloe Evans, Ryan Rolls and Danae Leslie all contributed to the new album, with Mark Griffiths and Andrew Barlow serving as producers. In this TCB exclusive, Futures describes their sound to new listeners and explains how they’re leaning into a new awakening on this upcoming LP.
First, tell us a little about yourself and how you came to the decision to record and release records through Influencers Church.
Danae: We are Futures – a pop/cult artist with band members from UNITED STATES and Australia. We call all influencers home and are part of local worship teams in all 11 of our locations! Our church is celebrating 100 years of establishment in 2022 and over the last few decades our home has been blessed with a truly unique influence in the arts and entertainment industry… 2004 and Planetshakers (the youth movement and worship band) was born in our local youth ministry! We are so grateful for all that God has done over the past generations, but it seems the responsibility is now on our shoulders to bring a “new sound” to and from the Church… Luke 14:23 says “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” It’s crazy to think that someone halfway around the world can hear the good news, the message of Jesus, through the digital broadcast of a simple song! We are passionate about writing modern parables through the stories that songs tell, that connect a hurting world to the love of Jesus…that’s why we do it!
Congratulations on the upcoming release of Hills & Horizons. It’s now available for pre-order. How does it feel to be coming out soon?
Chloe: Thank you so much! Yes, we are very excited to get this project out into the world. We feel very strongly about the messages on this album. From anxiety and mental battles to childlike faith and the goodness of God; these songs speak to so many different seasons and backgrounds. I feel excited in my spirit to see and hear testimonies of what God is going to do in people’s hearts through these songs that we have prayed and poured into!
You’ll be releasing a new song to radio, “Hills & Horizons,” when the album drops on January 7th. Can you share with us a little bit of your vision for this video?
Mark: For Futures as an artist and more importantly, for all the members on an individual level, this album was an awakening. I think we can all feel something new coming; stirring just beneath the surface of the Christianity around the world. Isaiah 43:19 says, “See, I am doing something new! Now it is springing up; do you not perceive it?” We’re not saying we know exactly what it is or what it looks like, but we perceive it and build on it with our writing and sound. Music has played a central role in every great revival throughout history. The music video for ‘Hills & Horizons’ follows the whispers of a new awakening from a dream all the way to the top of the hill, with signal lights lit around the world. This is our journey, this is the kindred calling within each of us. This is the message of our debut studio LP ‘Hills & Horizons.’
What do you hope listeners take away from your band’s new album, Hills & Horizons?
Mark: We were really intentional about the atmosphere that each song on this album creates. They say that music is the only thing that can invade the soul without permission. This places a huge responsibility on us to pray through the purpose of each moment in each track. We believe that the spirit of these songs cuts through depression, disappointment, discouragement, and disillusionment; literally changing not only how a person feels about their situation, but how they view everything.
How has God worked through your music?
Ryan: That’s a tough question to answer because I don’t think you ever really know the magnitude of the impact you’re making. We’re just trying to be obedient to what we believe God has asked of us by putting out music. It may sound a little cliché, but it’s true. Here’s what I can say; these songs have changed our lives, helped us pull ourselves out of the pit, encouraged us to keep going, and put language into some of life’s biggest struggles; and that’s also our prayer for everyone who hears these songs. The feedback and stories we get from people who have listened throughout the journey have said that’s exactly what we’ve done in them. We’re responsible for the depth, and God is responsible for the breadth.
Which artists do you currently draw your musical inspiration from?
Danae: Ahhh I love this question because the answer is always evolving! I think right now as a band we are listening to a lot of new stuff, top 40 style playlists and “new finds” for production and melodic inspiration… I personally have a lot of respect for pure lyricists like Julia Michaels, Sasha Sloan, JP Saxe and Taylor Swift. My packed Spotify results in 2021 felt like a melting pot of pop, worship and singer/songwriter with lots of Griff, LANY, Glades, Kari Jobe and SEU worship!
How would you describe the sound of your music to new listeners?
Chloe: I would describe these songs as fun and faith-filled! This album, sonically, is full of life and joy. It’s new, it’s fresh, we feel it’s different than anything else in this space. We spend time intentionally creating together and we produce everything in-house with our two producers Mark and Andrew. This leads to a synchronicity between the music and the lyrics that is tangible and an album that has a really strong identity. We pray that people will finally hear the thread of who God is and what He has done in each song.
What should we expect from your visit in 2022?
Ryan: We’re just getting started. Honestly, we’re sitting on so many songs right now, and I can’t wait for you to hear them all. We try to never “turn off the tap.” We continue to write, collaborate, and do whatever we can to stay in that sweet spot of putting language and melodies together. You never know how many new songs/albums might hit your playlist in the next twelve months. All I’ll say is, buckle up, so much more to come.
The post office Exclusive: Futures Looks At New Awakening On ‘Hills & Horizons’ LP first appeared on TCB.
Author: Jessie Clarks
