Melanie Penn to Release New Album "More Alive Vol. 1" September 25

Singer-songwriter Melanie Penn, is scheduled to release her new album, More Alive Vol. 1, on September 25. More Alive Vol. 1 features 10 songs that Penn describes as "hopeful anthems," all written and co-written by Penn, along with the record's Nashville producers, Ben Shive and Cason Cooley. The songwriting process spans two years, 2018 - 2020, and covers the beginning of turbulent times for the modern world. Three of the singles were written in quarantine ("One Word," "You're Not Absent," "Grace"). More Alive Vol. 1 will be available with a pre-sale on September 4, 2020, with more details coming next month.

More Alive Vol. 1 delivers hopeful pop melodies and optimistic lyrics at a time of historic upheaval. As people deal with major changes, the spiritual message of Penn's songwriting remains the same; God is in control. The album is also an autobiographical look into Penn's life as a recording artist and songwriter of faith in New York City, and the transitions surrounding the outbreak of Covid-19. "More Alive Vol. 1 is a soundtrack for our time. While we can't be together in person, I hope I'm with listeners via the songs," said Penn. "Through the music we can question, dance, and hang on together. Songs are 'essential workers' for the human spirit, and I send these songs out with love and confidence that we'll see each other soon!  

Penn gave her fans glimpses of the new album with recent single releases, and the first one is the title track that released in February, "More Alive." This was followed up with, "I Want to Know You," on March 5, which is based on Philippians 3:7-11; and the most recent single release, "He Will Redeem It All," on May 22. The next single release, "Avenue of the Americas," is a rallying cry for all New Yorkers. Hope is here in this old concrete / I can feel it underneath my feet / Rising again for all of us /on the Avenue of the Americas. It is scheduled for release on September 4.

Penn has struggled, like most of us, during this troubling time of Covid-19 while her home city stood at the pandemic's US epicenter. But Penn brings an uplifting collection with her usual hope, especially with the three songs that emerged during quarantine. "One Word" is a Christian classic to remind us that Jesus calms the storm - as much now as He did then; "Grace" is a rootsy pop-song about overcoming what's been done and undone; "You're Not Absent" has the potential to become this year's anthem. We don't know just yet what you are doing/You're not absent/You're active/In the cannon blast we're not abandoned/You're not absent/In the chasm between now and when this all passes.

More Alive Vol. 1 Track listing:

1. You're Not Absent

2. Grace

3. I Want To Know You

4. More Alive

5. One Word

6. He Will Redeem It All

7. Thank You

8. When One Door Closes

9. Don't Worry

10. Avenue of the Americas 

To stay updated with Melanie Penn, visit her website and her social media outlets, Facebook and Instagram.  

About Melanie Penn

Melanie Penn is a Manhattan-based artist, writing pop songs at the crossroads of faith and culture. Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Falls Church, Va., she began singing and receiving formal vocal training at a young age, and even competed as a classical vocalist through high school. She transitioned to songwriting after several years as a mainstay in New York's musical theater scene - a turn that included playing Sandy in the Broadway National Tour of Grease! She is best known for her original concept album Immanuel, which is about the Christmas story. More Alive Vol. 1 is her fifth studio album, produced with Cason Cooley and her longtime collaborator Ben Shive.  

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