The Elements (TobyMac album)

The Elements is the eighth studio album by American recording artist TobyMac released on October 12, 2018, on ForeFront Records. It is his fifth album to top the Billboard Christian Albums chart.[1] The album's lead single, "I Just Need U.", peaked at No. 1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.[2]

The Elements
Studio album by
TobyMac
ReleasedOctober 12, 2018 (2018-10-12)
Recorded2018
Length40:56
LabelForeFront
ProducerTobyMac, David Garcia, Brian Fowler
TobyMac chronology
Light of Christmas
(2017)		 The Elements
(2018)		 The St. Nemele Collab Sessions
(2019)
Singles from The Elements
  1. "I Just Need U."
    Released: January 5, 2018
  2. "Everything"
    Released: July 18, 2018
  3. "Scars"
    Released: September 28, 2018
  4. "The Elements"
    Released: 2018
  5. "Edge of My Seat (Radio Version) (featuring Cochren & Co)"
    Released:
  6. "See the Light (Radio Version)"

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
CCM Magazine[3]
The Christian Beat[4]
Jesus Freak Hideout[5]

Chris Major of The Christian Beat gave the album a 4.8 out of 5, claiming the album is "TobyMac at his best".[6] Jesus Freak Hideout's Christopher Smith praised TobyMac's ability make his musical influences his own, and called the album a "no-filler" and "more mature" album.[7] Marcos Papadatos from Digital Journal called it TobyMac's "most compelling studio album to date".[8] CCM Magazine's Natalie Gillespie praised TobyMac's ability to "blend" many musical styles into the album.[9]

Commercial performance

The album debuted No. 18 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart, selling 22,000 units in its debut week.[10]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."The Elements"Toby McKeehan, Tommee ProfittTommee Profitt, Toby McKeehan3:52
2."I Just Need U."Bryan Fowler, McKeehan, Blake NeesmithBryan Fowler, McKeehan3:45
3."Scars"Fowler, McKeehan, Cole WalowacFowler, Walowac4:21
4."Everything"David Garcia, McKeehanDavid Garcia, McKeehan3:21
5."Starts with Me" (featuring Aaron Cole)Aaron Cole, Dave Lubben, McKeehan, WalowacDave Lubben, Walowac3:54
6."Edge of My Seat"Fowler, McKeehanFowler, McKeehan3:43
7."It's You"Fowler, McKeehanFowler, McKeehan4:48
8."Horizon (A New Day)"Ryan Edgar, McKeehan, Tim MyersTim Myers, Micah Kuiper3:13
9."Hello Future"Fowler, McKeehanFowler, McKeehan2:42
10."Overflow"Shy Carter, McKeehan, Josh MillerGarcia, McKeehan3:16
11."See the Light"Edgar, Sasha Hamilton, Dave Lubben, McKeehan, Anthony Pasqualone, Emma WeisbergLubben, Fowler3:52
Total length:40:47

History

The Elements is tobyMac's first album since Welcome to Diverse City, in 2004, not to crack the top 10 on the Billboard 200, and his shortest by duration, at a mere 40 minutes and 42 seconds.

Personnel
  • Toby McKeehan – lead vocals and background vocals
  • Bryan Fowler – background vocals, electric guitars, bass guitar, guitars, keyboards, piano, drums, and programming
  • Sean Cook – bass, keyboards, and programming
  • Cory Wong – guitars
  • David Garcia – keyboards, guitars, programming, and background vocals
  • Tim Rosenau – guitars
  • Michael "DJ Maj" Allen – DJ cuts
  • Tommee Profitt – keyboards and programming
  • Cole Walowac – programming, additional drum programming
  • Todde "Toddefunk" Lawton – bass
  • Micah Kuiper – guitar, bass, programming, and background vocals
  • Jon Reddick – upright piano
  • Josiah Kreidler – guitars
  • Dave Lubben – keyboards, programming and background vocals
  • NOMAD – guitars
  • Keith Everette Smith – trumpet, horns
  • Steve Patrick – trumpet
  • Tyler Summers – tenor sax
  • Barry Green – trombone
  • Terrian – background vocals
  • Aaron Cole – vocals on "Starts with Me"
  • Ryan Stevenson – background vocals
  • Blake NeeSmith – background vocals
  • Hollyn – background vocals
  • Jackson Nance – background vocals
  • Gabe Patillo – background vocals
  • Jason Eskridge – background vocals

Accolades
Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2020 Grammy Award Best Contemporary Christian Music Album Nominated [11]

Charts

References
  1. "tobyMac Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  2. "tobyMac Chart History: Christian Songs". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  3. Gillespie, Natalie (October 18, 2018). "TobyMac 'The Elements' Album Review". CCM Magazine. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  4. Major, Chris (October 9, 2018). "'The Elements' Is TobyMac At His Best". The Christian Beat. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  5. Smith, Christopher; Caldwell, Alex (October 11, 2018). "TobyMac, "The Elements" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  6. Major, Chris (October 9, 2018). "'The Elements' Is TobyMac At His Best". thechristianbeat.org. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  7. "Jesusfreakhideout.com: TobyMac, "The Elements" Review". jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  8. "Review: TobyMac releases compelling new Christian album 'The Elements' (Includes first-hand account)". October 14, 2018. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  9. Gillespie, Natalie (October 18, 2018). "TobyMac 'The Elements' Album Review". CCM Magazine. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  10. "tobyMac's 'The Elements' Enters Top Christian Albums Chart at No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  11. "2020 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Nominees List". National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. November 18, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  12. "tobyMac Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  13. "Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  14. "tobyMac Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  15. "tobyMac Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  16. "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  17. "Top Current Album Sales – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  18. "Billboard Christian Albums – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  19. "Billboard Christian Albums – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  20. "Billboard Christian Albums – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
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