No Stranger (album)

No Stranger is the tenth studio album by American contemporary Christian music singer Natalie Grant. Curb Records released the album on September 25, 2020.[3]

No Stranger
Studio album by
Natalie Grant
ReleasedSeptember 25, 2020 (2020-09-25)
Recorded2019–2020
Genre
Length49:23
LabelCurb
Producer
Natalie Grant chronology
Be One
(2015)		 No Stranger
(2020)
Singles from No Stranger
  1. "My Weapon"
    Released: February 21, 2020
  2. "Face to Face"
    Released: July 10, 2020[1]
  3. "Who Else"
    Released: June 25, 2021[2]

The album was a commercial success as it became Grant's highest charting debut on the US Billboard 200 launching at No. 13, and concurrently debuting at No. 2 on Billboard's Christian Albums chart. No Stranger received a nomination for the GMA Dove Award Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year at the 2021 GMA Dove Awards. The album was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album at the 2022 Grammy Awards.

Background

Grant told American Songwriter that her diagnoses with thyroid cancer in 2017, and the following years of recovery, primarily inspired the content of No Stranger.[4]

Reception

Critical response
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
365 Days of Inspiring Media5/5[5]
AllMusic[6]
Hallels3.5/5[7]
Today's Christian Entertainment[8]

No Stranger received highly favorable reviews from music critics, most of whom applauded Grant's vocals and the production of the album. Jonathan Andre of 365 Days of Inspiring Media wrote, "Natalie Grant is back, and with a 5-year sabbatical, it's like she's never left with this brand-new album. With No Stranger certain to be within my top 10 albums come year-end in December 2020, this album that was very much anticipated by Natalie is well worth it."[5] At AllMusic, Marcy Donelson wrote, "Highlighted by the singles 'My Weapon' and 'Praise You in This Storm,' a poignant strings-and-piano ballad, the album features expansive orchestral arrangements as well as outliers like "Do It Through Me," a crisp electro-pop track, and 'Even Louder,' which features rapper Steven Malcolm and the multifaceted Mr. Talkbox."[6] Timothy Yap for Halles affirmed, "Vocally, Grant has not lost an iota of her powerhouse greatness. She is still one of the few CCM artists who can emote with both verve and vulnerability. Her ability to sustain and stretch her notes remains unparalleled."[7] Worship Leader said, "An album full of songs that speak to the way Christ knows us intimately, the sonic landscape feels flawlessly tailored to match the lyrical content with the breathtaking London Symphony as a backdrop to Grant's raw yet dynamic and captivating voice."[9] NewReleaseToday spoke highly of the album praising, "...the stirring vocals, prayerful lyrics and musical arrangements are breath-taking..."[10]

Accolades
Awards
Year Organization Award Result Ref
2021 GMA Dove Awards Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year Nominated [11]
2022 Grammy Awards Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song Nominated [12]

Year-end lists
No Stranger on year-end lists
Publication
 Accolade Rank Ref.
365 Days of Inspiring Media Top 20 Albums of 2020 (July-Dec)
2
[13]

Commercial performance

In the United States, No Stranger debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 33,144 copies (twice the amount of any of her previous albums) in its opening week. It is Grant's highest-charting album and her first album to peak within the Top 15 Billboard 200 positions.[10] It concurrently peaked at No. 6 on the Top Album Sales chart, being Grant's first Top 10 on the chart.[14] The album also debuted at No. 2 on the Top Christian Albums charts, behind My Gift by Carrie Underwood.[15]

Track listing

Album track listing and credits sourced from Genius.[16]

No Stranger
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Face to Face"
  • Herms
4:10
2."My Weapon"
  • Andrew Bergthold
  • Benji Cowart
  • Ryan Ellis
  • Jonathan Jay
  • Grant
  • Herms
4:21
3."Do it Through Me"
  • Herms
  • Grant
  • Duncan
  • Herms
3:36
4."Praise You in This Storm"
  • Herms
5:33
5."Who Else"
  • Grant
  • Sam Mizell
  • Becca Mizell
  • Herms
4:45
6."Isn't He (This Jesus)"
  • Herms
4:55
7."Even Louder" (with Steven Malcolm and Mr. TalkBox)
  • William Reeves
  • Tony Brown
  • Steven Malcolm
  • Matt Armstrong
  • Leeland Mooring
  • Kenneth Mackenzie
  • Joseph Prielozny
  • Jay
  • Benji Cowart
  • Berms
  • Prielozny
  • Rice
3:41
8."No Stranger[17]"
  • Herms
  • Grant
  • Duncan
  • Herms
6:27
9."Presence of the King" (featuring Fleurie)
  • Herms
4:31
10."My Weapon (Sacred Version)"
  • Bergthold
  • Cowart
  • Ellis
  • Jay
  • Grant
  • Herms
5:13
11."Amen (So it Be)"
  • Herms
  • Herms
2:12
Total length:49:23

Charts

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various September 25, 2020
Curb [22]

References
  1. "Natalie Grant – Face to Face". Genius.
  2. "Who Else/ Natalie Grant". Tidal. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  3. Moss, Iain (September 30, 2020). "Natalie Grant Releases New Album No Stranger". JesusWired.
  4. Schoonhoven, Tess. "Cancer Diagnosis Inspires Natalie Grant's "No Stranger"". American Songwriter. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  5. Andre, Jonathan (October 5, 2020). "Natalie Grant – No Stranger". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  6. Donelson, Marcy. "No Stranger - Natalie Grant". AllMusic. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  7. Yap, Timothy (September 20, 2020). "Natalie Grant 'No Stranger'". Hallels. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  8. "Natalie Grant Natalie Grant 'No Stranger'". Today's Christian Entertainment. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  9. Young, Abby (September 28, 2020). "Natalie Grant Releases 10th Studio Album No Stranger". FreeCCM. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  10. Longs, Herb (October 7, 2020). "Natalie Grant Has Biggest Album Debut Of Career With 'No Stranger'". NewReleaseToday. Retrieved November 22, 2020 – via The Christian Beat.
  11. Grein, Paul (August 11, 2021). "2021 GMA Dove Award Nominees: Full List | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  12. Atkinson, Katie (April 3, 2022). "2022 Grammys Winners List (Complete) – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  13. "BEST OF 2020- PART 7: TOP 20 ALBUMS OF 2020 [JULY-DEC]". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. March 20, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  14. "Natalie Grant Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  15. "Top Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  16. "Natalie Grant - No Stranger". Genius.
  17. Clarks, Jessie (August 15, 2020). "Natalie Grant Debuts New Song "No Stranger"". The Christian Beat.
  18. "Natalie Grant Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  19. "Natalie Grant Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  20. "Natalie Grant Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  21. "Top Current Album Sales – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  22. "No Stranger by Natalie Grant". Apple Music.
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