South Africa’s Tree63 returns to the music scene September 25th with its fifth studio album, Sunday!. The project expands Tree63’s signature sound, while urging listeners to live in the hope offered by Christ’s resurrection.

Produced by Joe Baldridge (Family Force 5, dcTalk), the record additionally features Tree63’s original drummer Darryl Swart. The combined energy and innovation of Baldridge alongside Swart helped turn out 11 songs that rival Tree63’s previous sound.

Tree63 frontman John Ellis explains, “We really feel like this album is on a different level sonically compared with our previous attempts. Joe gave us permission to re-explore our rock ‘n’ roll side, to be more real. It’s fun again.”

With the crucifixion on Good Friday operating as a metaphor for the modern world’s state of despair and hopelessness, Ellis titled Sunday! to remind listeners that their hope lies in the good news of Christ’s resurrection. The album also exhibits more freedom in its songwriting with the intention of capturing a broader audience.

Additionally, Sunday! takes a stand on various social and spiritual obligations. Songs like The Revolution, and Becoming are intended to alert listeners to the new ways of thinking currently sweeping the church.

“Christians need to be socially conscious because Jesus was,” says Ellis. “It’s one thing to go to church and follow basic rules and regulations, but that’s virtually missing the point. We need to change the way we thing about the poor, starving, desperate, lonely and sick. Those are the ones Jesus came for, and He urges us to continue His compassion.”

The record’s debut single, Sunday!, is currently vying for adds at Christian Adult Contemporary radio. In its debut week, the singe broke the Top 30 on Radio & Records’ Christian AC National Airplay chart. This week Sunday! is among Christian AC’s most added songs, according to R&R.

Hailing from South Africa, Tree63 first appeared on the U.S. scene in 2000 with its Dove Award-winning, self-titled debut for Inpop Records. Claiming multiple No. 1 Christian Hit Radio songs, the project additionally earned a string of international hits, making Tree63 the first Christian band to find mainstream success in South Africa. The band’s breakout single, however, came from its February 2004 release, The Answer To The Question. Blessed Be Your Name garnered high honours as Billboard Magazine’s No. 1 Most Played Christian Song of the Year in 2004 and continues to top Radio & Records’ Most Played Recurrents chart. In the last two years, Tree63 has maintained a non-stop performance schedule. The group played at the final Billy Graham Crusade, headlined World Vision’s “All God’s Children Tour”, concluded a run on the “Restored” tour with Jeremy Camp and Bethany Dillon, and was part of the Delirious? “Mission Bell Tour”.

For additional information on Tree63, visit their YMZ artist page.

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