Although this album came out in 2017, Mandisa’s fifth studio album has a strong and timely message for a dark and divided world. After suffering from a deep depression following the death of friend and background singer Lakisha Mitchell who lost a long battle with breast cancer who decided to carry her unborn child instead of treat her cancer with aggressive chemo therapy. This album was born from all that pain and heartache. Out of The Dark is filled with songs of hope, resilience, & reminders that God is still working, no matter the circumstance.
Song by Song Review
Voicemail Intro: A track showing backstory to the album that a dark trial or tribulation had just occurred and Mandisa’s friends were calling to encourage her and check on her.
I’m Still Here: My favorite song on the entire album for the message of still having unfinished work to do in and through me by God. This track was co-written with Matthew West.
Out of The Dark: A song about how God’s grace brings light seeping into the broken messes in our lives and begins to heal us.
Unfinished: The message of Unfinished is that even with all my mistakes, God is not done making me into a masterpiece; that he’s still working on me.
Bleed The Same (Intro): This track features pastor and renowned singer in his own right Kirk. He speaks about the injustices and the inequalities facing the world today followed by the song of the same name.
Bleed The Same: (ft. Toby Mac)
My second favorite song on this album because it is a beautiful way to shine God’s love and light into our divisive and hurting world, so we should come together and be peaceable with one another.
Comeback Kid:
A song about having the propensity to come back no matter the difficulty or hardship we faced.
What You’re Worth: (ft. Britt Nicole)
A song written in honor of survivors of human trafficking. It is ultimately an anthem for women to not let your worth be tied to your body.
Dear John Praise Report:
A quick into to the next track (Good News) sharing that Mandisa’s brother became a born-again Christian.
Good News:
Co-written with Matthew West, a pop and dancy praise song about the good news of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and personal moments of glory in our every day life.
Prove Me Wrong:
A song about the moments when something happens that devastates us & makes us question God’s love and faithfulness. This song was written in memory of Mandisa’s friend and back-up singer Lakisha Mitchell.
Mothdisa:
A spoken story about Mandisa’s revelation about Jesus.
The One He Speaks Through:
A song about being God’s hands & feet.
Shine:
A catchy reminder that we weren’t called to be small or dim the light within us but we were called to be a bright light burning bright shining for Jesus.
My First Love (ft. Jeremy Camp):
A song based on Jeremiah 31:3
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
Jesus is and always longs to be our first love.
Overall, this album has been on repeat for a while and every time one of these songs comes on shuffle, I smile because I am reminded that because of God’s grace, I will always have good news.
The Smart Cookie Philes 