Caves (album)

Caves
Studio album by
Needtobreathe
ReleasedSeptember 15, 2023 (2023-09-15)
Recorded2022
Genre
Length43:18
LabelDrive All Night
Producer
Needtobreathe chronology
Into the Mystery
(2021) 		Caves
(2023)
Singles from Caves
  1. "Everknown"
    Released: June 22, 2023
  2. "The Cave"
    Released: July 20, 2023
  3. "Hideaway"
    Released: August 10, 2023
  4. "Temporary Tears"
    Released: August 31, 2023
  5. "Wasting Time"
    Released: August 31, 2023

Caves is the ninth studio album from American rock band Needtobreathe. It was released on September 15, 2023, by Drive All Night Records. The album features collaborations with Carly Pearce, Judah & the Lion, Old Dominion, and Foy Vance. It was produced by Cason Cooley and Needtobreathe.

Background

Needtobreathe first announced the album in May 2023.[2] Five singles were subsequently released to precede the album, including "Everknown", "The Cave", "Hideaway", "Temporary Tears", and "Wasting Time". The band retreated to Utah and Minnesota while creating the album.[3] Lead singer Bear Rinehart described the album to American Songwriter as, "It feels like it's a band record" and "Not many people are making band records anymore. We all to have an influence on the record musically and lyrically and it feels like it's all our voices at the same time."[4]

Composition

The album was written in two different phases in 2022.[4][5] The band wrote the opening title track in a hotel room just using a "acoustic guitar and midi keyboard". "How Wonderful We Are", the third song, is a piano ballad.[6]

The tenth track "Reaching Out to Find You", is described as a "soaring piano ballad".[4]

Promotion

Coinciding with the album announcement, Needtobreathe announced "The Caves World Tour", to begin in late 2023.[5] The tour will feature Judah & the Lion as a supporting act, and includes stops at arenas throughout the US. A second leg of the tour was announced on the album release day, September 15, 2023.[7] A two-part documentary titled "A World Without a Mirror: The Making of Caves" was released on YouTube, chronicling the album writing and recording process.[8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
The Music[6]
Jesus Freak Hideout[1]

Bryget Chrisfield of The Music gave Caves four stars, and said that the album "is a collection of instantly catchy, life-affirming rock songs for marking pivotal life events."[6] The Christian Beat's Jessie Clarks called Caves, "a collection of awe-inspiring melodies, breathtaking instrumentation and epic-scale energy, giving the band's soul-probing approach a bigger, more expansive new scope."[10]

Track listing

Caves track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Cave"
3:36
2."Everknown"
  • Rinehart
  • Carter
  • Lovelace
  • Tyler Burkum
  • Chance McCoy
  • Seth Bolt
4:24
3."How Wonderful We Are"
  • Rinehart
  • Burkum
  • Carter
  • Lovelace
3:56
4."Dreams" (featuring Judah & the Lion)
  • Rinehart
  • Carter
  • Judah Akers
4:09
5."When You Forgive Someone"
3:53
6."Wasting Time" (featuring Old Dominion)
4:04
7."Fall on Me" (featuring Carly Pearce)
4:24
8."Hideaway"
4:13
9."By and By"
  • Rinehart
  • Carter
  • Dabbs
3:48
10."Reaching Out to Find You"
3:24
11."Temporary Tears" (featuring Foy Vance)
  • Rinehart
  • Dabbs
3:55
Total length:43:18

Charts

Chart performance for Caves
Chart (2023) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[11] 131
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[12] 1
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[13] 25

References

  1. ^ a b Caldwell, Alex (September 13, 2023). "Caves". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  2. ^ Iahn, Buddy (July 20, 2023). "Needtobreathe announces 'Caves' featuring all-star collaborations". The Music Universe. The Music Universe LLC. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  3. ^ Patton, Alli (May 22, 2023). "Exclusive: NEEDTOBREATHE Announces New Album 'Caves': "It Feels Like a 'Joshua Tree' for Us"". American Songwriter. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Reuter, Annie (September 15, 2023). "Needtobreathe on "Thankful" Ninth Album 'Caves' and Band's Legacy". American Songwriter. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Roden, Ally (August 1, 2023). "Needtobreathe Announce Ninth Studio Album, 'Caves,' The Band's "Most Ambitious Record" In Years". Music Mayhem. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Chrisfield, Bryget (September 14, 2023). "Album Review: Needtobreathe - 'Caves'". The Music. Australia. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  7. ^ Thomas, Valeska (June 1, 2023). "Needtobreathe To Bring Renowned Live Show To Arenas Across The Country With "The Caves World Tour"". Live Nation Entertainment. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  8. ^ ""A World Without A Mirror: The Making of CAVES (Part One)..."". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  9. ^ Caves at AllMusic. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  10. ^ Clarks, Jessie (September 15, 2023). "Needtobreathe Drops Ninth Studio Album Caves". The Christian Beat. King Tide Media. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  11. ^ "Needtobreathe Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  12. ^ "Needtobreathe Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  13. ^ "Needtobreathe Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2023.