Zach Williams Readies New Album

It’s been three years since Zach Williams last graced us with an album, and he has plenty to express about his love for Christ. His upcoming release, titled Intention, set for September 19th, will feature 12 new tracks, including one that serves as a personal reminder that the Gospel is meant for “rebels, rebels, and runaways.” Another standout is Friends in High Places, a song that highlights the salvation of a “twisted, broken” individual.

Next year will actually mark a decade since Williams made his entrance into the Christian music scene with songs like Chain Breaker. He still finds it hard to believe that it took off the way it did, especially considering he initially started out in mainstream rock.

Williams hopes that his new album resonates with listeners across various church communities. He embraces a distinctive mix of country, rock, and bluegrass, creating a grittier sound that somehow fits well within worship music. “The good news is for everyone,” he shares, “No matter what you do in life, wherever you go…”

His album is described as one of his most intimate works, aiming to reach out to those who feel lost while reminding the church of the essence of the Gospel. This theme plays out particularly in one track where he asserts its unpopularity, noting, “I’d rather be disliked.” He acknowledges that following God’s commands isn’t exactly a crowd-pleaser.

“When I first heard it, I was completely moved. I said, ‘I want to record that song!’ and they were on board,” Williams reflected.

He added, “So many of us can relate to the struggle of trying to please the world. You might find that people turn away when you love God.” He cited John 15:18, where Jesus mentions, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.”

“Every time you make a change in your life, you might lose some friends,” Williams noted. “I’ve witnessed that. Some people just don’t understand, and that’s okay.”

“I really don’t care about pleasing the world,” he continued. “My love for Jesus is what matters; He transformed my life and gave me everything.”

According to Williams, the album embodies a message of nonconformity and reminds listeners that they are already loved just as they are. “You don’t need to be anything for Him to love you,” he said. “That’s really the crux of this record.”

Fans can also look forward to seeing him on tour starting October 1st, alongside Kingdom, Ben Fuller, and Leena Crawford.