“The Gift” is the next song on the album. Foreman showcases his guitar skills with an amazing finger picking opening. Everything about this piece is incredible: the tempo is fun, his vocals are exceptional, and the guitar work is truly something to envy.
Foreman’s love for Christ is on the forefront here. The lyrics are as beautiful as the music that they accompany. This may be one of Foreman’s best songs to date.
Foreman is taking us back to the sounds of his duet with Mandy Moore with “Weight of the World.” This song sounds like something that would have played on the same record as his duet with Moore, and I am not complaining.
Foremen’s voice is on full display here. He hits some insanely high notes. I feel like this song should also be the theme song of the global pandemic we are in as Foreman is “waiting for capable hands to come down and carry the weight of the world.”
Foreman is asking “where are you now… how does this fit in your plan” as he has a conversation with God. I love that Foreman can be transparently honest with his audience on a personal level in questioning the events of the world in the last year.
When Foreman was asked what Depatures means to him, he said “For me, 2020 has been a year of departures. And I’m not alone in this. For many of us, this has been a season of death. Of decay. Of fear and doubt and uncertainty. For Americans. For humans. For friends and relatives around the world. I’m not alone when I say that this has been a rough year.”
This is honestly going to be the song I listen to when I need some encouragement to get through the day.
“Love is the Rebel Song” opens with a new sound for Foreman… kinda country. Foreman uses a vocal effect that makes him sound like he’s in an old timey movie for the opening. Then the song kicks into full country/folky guitar.
Foreman is really experimenting with different sound on this record and it is truly amazing. This song picks up in tempo and energy as it progresses. Reading into the meaning, it seems like Foreman is saying “love is a rebel song” because love seems so rare now. If you love someone, you’re being a rebel.
“The Valley Of The Shadow Of Planned Obsolescence” borrows from the sound the Beatles. It seriously feels like Foreman took this off an album from The Beatles. Not my favorite song, if I am being honest. While it’s a good message about being with someone you love, it gets a little lost in the music.
Foreman ends Departures with a song titled “Last Words.” This song is a great way to reflect on life, and it’s nicely named as such. It’s a mellow piece, seems like very little guitar work.
Overall, Departures is an incredible record and a cool collection of styles for Foreman. If you are a fan of Switchfoot and have never listened to a Jon Foreman solo album, you should listen to this record. You can find it on Apple Music, Spotify, or click here to buy it on Amazon!
