To Love a Fool
To Love a Fool Album Cover
Studio album by
Cory Asbury
ReleasedJuly 31, 2020 (2020-07-31)
Recorded2019-2020
Genre
Length45:20
LabelBethel Music
ProducerPaul Mabury
Cory Asbury chronology
Reckless Love
(2018)		 To Love a Fool
(2020)		 To Love a Fool — A Rooftop Experience
(2020)
Singles from To Love a Fool
  1. "The Father's House"
    Released: January 24, 2020 (2020-01-24)
  2. "Sparrows"
    Released: September 11, 2020 (2020-09-11)
  3. "Dear God"
    Released: October 23, 2020 (2020-10-23)

To Love a Fool is the third solo studio album by American contemporary worship musician Cory Asbury, and his fourth album overall. Bethel Music released the album on July 31, 2020.[1] Paul Mabury handled the production of the album.[2]

The album was supported by the release of "The Father's House" as the lead single. The song peaked at number three on the US Hot Christian Songs chart.

To Love a Fool received critical acclaim from critics, with Asbury being praised for his rawness, vulnerability, and honesty. The album debuted at number four on the US Top Christian Albums chart, earning 4,000 album-equivalent units. The album also debuted at number fifteen on UK Christian & Gospel Albums chart. The album received a nomination for the GMA Dove Award Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year at the 2021 GMA Dove Awards.

Release and promotion

Singles

The album's lead single, "The Father's House", was released on January 24, 2020.[3] The single version was produced by Ed Cash.[4] The song peaked at number three on the US Hot Christian Songs chart.

"Sparrows" was released to Christian radio in the United States on September 11, 2020, as the second single from the album.[5]

On October 24, 2020, Asbury released "Dear God" digitally as the third single from the album.[6]

Promotional singles

On June 29, 2020, Asbury unveiled the name and artwork of the then-upcoming album, To Love a Fool, with the release date slated for July 31, 2020.[7] Asbury held an election-style contest for the release of a song from the album, asking fans to vote between "Canyons" and "Sparrows", with the winning song being slated for release on July 10, 2020. The contest was set on July 2.[8] "Sparrows" won the contest and was released as the first promotional single album, concurrently launching the album's pre-order.[9] The song debuted at number 48 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart.[10]

"Canyons" was released as the second and final promotional single on July 18, 2020.[11] The song debuted at number 37 on the Hot Christian Songs chart.[12]

Other songs

On May 18, 2020, Asbury released the raw audio video of "Dear God" on YouTube, stating that the recording is "the unmixed, untouched, raw voice memo audio from the first time I sang it."[13] He also added that the full song would be released with the album on July 31, 2020.[14]

Reception

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
365 Days of Inspiring Media5/5[15]
CCM Magazine[16]
Jesus Freak Hideout[17]
JubileeCast4/5[18]
One Man In The Middle[19]
Today's Christian Entertainment[20]

Jonathan Andre in his 365 Days of Inspiring Media review opined that To Love a Fool is most anticipated Christian music albums in 2020 saying "this new album from Cory didn't disappoint." Andre congratulated Asbury "for such a poignant emotive album."[15] CCM Magazine's Mark Geil gave a favourable review of the album, describing it as "a full-length collection of powerful, honest songs born of a year-long sabbatical in 2019." Geil opined that "this is an excellent sophomore release from a formidable voice in Christian music."[16] Jesus Freak Hideout's Bert Gangl says in his three-point-five star review: "the brightest moments on Fool do manage to elevate it to slightly above-average status, there still aren't enough of them to recommend the album, as a whole, to anybody but the already converted."[17] Timothy Yap of JubileeCast praised the album, saying, "Though Asbury's previous record had that juggernaut hit "Reckless Love," To Love a Fool as a whole is a much stronger effort: it shows a more personal side of Asbury with songs that are given to more creative expressions."[18] In a NewReleaseToday review, Grace Chaves spoke of the album, saying "Each tune is a reminder of how broken we are, and how great God is in light of our brokenness. To Love a Fool is vulnerable and filled with worship."[21] Chaves "It's a beautiful album, with such breathtaking lyrics. This is a record that will make you reflect on who God is, and how incredible it is that he chose to love us."[21] Abby Baracskai-Thigpen, indicating in a four-point-five star review at Today's Christian Entertainment, commended Asbury for "not shying away from the tougher and messier things we go experience, feel, think and do, as well as look at the not so pretty parts of ourselves too."[20] Rob Allwright, reviewing for One Man In The Middle, concluded: "Overall this album has plenty for us to think about. There is some thematic repetition in this album and also a lot that goes back to the previous release, but there is still a lot of fresh concepts to chew over and sing about."[19]

Accolades

Awards
Year Organization Award Result Ref
2021 GMA Dove Awards Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year Nominated [22]

Commercial performance

In the United States, To Love a Fool debuted on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart at number four, having earned 4,000 equivalent album units in the first week of sales.[23] The album is Cory Asbury's second top ten release on the chart, following Reckless Love (2018).[23]

To Love a Fool also became Cory Asbury's second appearance on the OCC's Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart in the United Kingdom, launching at number fifteen in the week ending August 13, 2020.[24]

Track listing

To Love a Fool[25][26]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Canyons"
  • Cory Asbury
  • Ethan Hulse
4:40
2."Sparrows"
3:17
3."Crashing In"
  • Asbury
  • Hulse
3:49
4."Nothing More Than You"
  • Asbury
  • Benjamin Hastings
  • Hulse
4:42
5."Dear God"
6:07
6."The Prodigal Song"
  • Asbury
  • Ran Jackson
  • Ricky Jackson
5:06
7."I'm Sorry"Asbury4:15
8."Faithful Wounds"Asbury4:35
9."Unraveling"Asbury4:39
10."The Father's House"
  • Asbury
  • Hastings
  • Hulse
4:05
Total length:45:20
  • Songwriting credits adapted from PraiseCharts.[27]

Credits

Adapted from AllMusic.[28]

  • Eric Allen — A&R
  • David Angell — violin
  • Cory Asbury — primary artist
  • Kevin Bate — cello
  • Matt Butler — cello
  • Taylor Clarke — audio engineer
  • Dave Curran — bass guitar
  • David Davidson — violin
  • Chris Estes — director
  • Stephen Hart — art direction, design, photography
  • Jenny Hislop — project manager
  • Brian Johnson — executive producer
  • Adam Lester — electric guitar
  • Tony Lucido — bass guitar
  • Brett Mabury — string arrangements
  • Paul Mabury — background vocals, drums, producer, programming
  • Caleb Marmolejo — photography, photography director, video director
  • Dave McNair — mastering
  • Buckley Miller — string engineer
  • Sean Moffitt — mixing
  • Tommy Muller — marketing
  • Zach Pugh — video editor
  • Sari Reist — cello
  • Gabe Scott — acoustic guitar, dobro
  • Javier Solís — Percussion
  • Matt Stanfield — keyboards, piano, programming
  • Joel Taylor — executive producer
  • Kristin Wilkinson — violin
  • Joe Williams — keyboards, programming

Charts

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various July 31, 2020 Bethel Music [25][26]

References

  1. ↑ Clarks, Jessie (July 31, 2020). "Cory Asbury Drops 'To Love A Fool' Album". The Christian Beat. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  2. ↑ "To Love a Fool | CBN.com". CBN.com. Christian Broadcasting Network. July 29, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Bethel Music's Cory Asbury Returns with New Single "The Father's House"". Hallels. January 24, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  4. ↑ Clarks, Jessie (January 24, 2020). "Cory Asbury Celebrates New Season In 'The Father's House'". The Christian Beat. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Cory Asbury - Sparrows - Daily Play MPE®Daily Play MPE®". Daily Play MPE®. Destiny Media Technologies Inc. August 12, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  6. ↑ Longs, Herb (October 24, 2020). "Cory Asbury Reimagines "Dear God" With Wife Anna". The Christian Beat. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  7. ↑ Cluver, Ross (June 29, 2020). "Cory Asbury to Release 'To Love A Fool' July 31 – CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Cory Asbury to Release Highly Anticipated New Album "To Love A Fool" July 31 : News : JubileeCast". JubileeCast. June 29, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  9. ↑ Clarks, Jessie (July 10, 2020). "Cory Asbury Releases New Single "Sparrows"". The Christian Beat. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Hot Christian Songs Chart | Billboard". Billboard. Hot Christian Songs. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. July 28, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  11. ↑ Longs, Herb (July 18, 2020). "Cory Asbury Drops New Song "Canyons"". The Christian Beat. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Hot Christian Songs Chart | Billboard". Billboard. Hot Christian Songs. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  13. ↑ Clarks, Jessie (May 18, 2020). "Cory Asbury Shares Raw Audio Of New Song "Dear God"". The Christian Beat. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  14. ↑ Harper, Blessings (May 19, 2020). "Cory Asbury Teams Up with Hillsong Young and Free's Aodhan King to Write "Dear God" : News : JubileeCast". JubileeCast. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  15. 1 2 Andre, Jonathan (August 2, 2020). "Cory Asbury – To Love a Fool | 365 Days of Inspiring Media". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  16. 1 2 Geil, Mark (July 31, 2020). "Cory Asbury 'Cory Asbury' – CCM Magazine". CCM Magazine. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  17. 1 2 Gangl, Bert (September 17, 2020). "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Cory Asbury, "To Love a Fool" Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  18. 1 2 Yap, Timothy (July 30, 2020). "Cory Asbury "To Love a Fool" Album Review : Exclusives : JubileeCast". JubileeCast. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  19. 1 2 Allwright, Rob (December 21, 2020). "Music Review: House of Miracles by Brandon Lake - One Man In The Middle". One Man In The Middle. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  20. 1 2 Baracskai-Thigpen, Abby (July 30, 2020). "Cory Asbury 'To Love A Fool' – Today's Christian Entertainment". Today's Christian Entertainment. Avada. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  21. 1 2 Chaves, Grace (July 28, 2020). "To Love A Fool by Cory Christian CD Book Reviews | NRTeam Member GraceChaves_NRT | NewReleaseToday". NewReleaseToday. NRT Media, Inc. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  22. ↑ Grein, Paul (August 11, 2021). "2021 GMA Dove Award Nominees: Full List | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  23. 1 2 Asker, Jim (August 13, 2020). "Chris Tomlin Debuts at No. 1 on Top Christian Albums, Cory Asbury Enters in Top Five | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved August 31, 2020. Plus, Cory Asbury's second solo album To Love a Fool enters Top Christian Albums at No. 4 with 4,000 units. The set from the Bethel Music member follows his debut LP Reckless Love, which debuted at the summit in February 2018.
  24. 1 2 "Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart Top 20". Official Charts Company. August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  25. 1 2 "To Love a Fool by Cory Asbury on Apple Music". Apple Music. United States. Apple Inc. July 31, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  26. 1 2 "To Love a Fool by Cory Asbury on Spotify". Spotify. 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Cory Asbury sheet music from the album To Love A Fool | PraiseCharts". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  28. ↑ "To Love a Fool - Cory Asbury | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  29. ↑ "Top Christian Albums Chart | Billboard". Billboard. August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Top Album Sales Chart | Billboard". Billboard. August 11, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Top Christian Albums – Billboard". Billboard. Year-End Chart. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Top Christian Albums – Billboard". Billboard. Year-End Chart. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
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