Where His Light Was is the third studio album and fourth album overall by American Christian singer Kristene DiMarco. The album was released on September 22, 2017 by Bethel Music,[1][2][3] her first release with the record label.[4] Seth Mosley and Mike "X." O'Connor produced the album.[5]

Where His Light Was
Where His Light Was Album Cover
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 22, 2017 (2017-09-22)
Recorded2017
Studio
  • Bethel Music, Redding, CA
  • Full Circle Music, Franklin, TN
Genre
Length39:07
LabelBethel Music
Producer
Kristene DiMarco studio album chronology
Safe Place
(2012)
Where His Light Was
(2017)
The Field
(2022)
Kristene DiMarco chronology
Mighty
(2015)
Where His Light Was
(2017)
The Field
(2022)
Singles from Where His Light Was
  1. "Take Courage"
    Released: May 8, 2017 (2017-05-08)

Background

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Kristene DiMarco joined the Bethel Music collective in 2016, followed by her appearance on the album Starlight (2017),[6] performing the song "Take Courage" live during the Worship Nights tour in October 2016.[7] In a press release published by Bethel Music through The Media Collective on August 11, 2017,[6] it was announced that her first album with the label will be released on September 22. Kristene DiMarco said of the album,[6]

Where His Light Was comes from the perspective of when you're walking through a hard time, it feels dark, and you can’t see where you're going, but God said go. If you keep moving forward you will reach your destination and realize you were never alone. Through the mystery and unanswered questions, He was with you the entire time. Don’t give up. Keep going.

A short film titled Ever Before Me was published on Bethel Music's YouTube channel, touted as the story behind the album with Kristene DiMarco narrating her experiences in San Francisco, California.[8]

Promotion

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On September 1, 2017, Bethel Music announced the start of the digital pre-order of the album, having made three tracks available as pre-order singles prior to the album's release, the songs were "Fear Not", "Hope Is Alive" and "I Am No Victim".[9]

Singles

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"Take Courage" was released in digital format on May 8, 2017,[10] as the lead single from the album. The song impacted Christian radio on June 16, 2017.[11]

Commercial performance

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Where His Light Was became Kristene DiMarco's first chart-topping release on the United Kingdom's Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart for the week ending October 5, 2017.[12] In the week ending October 14, 2017, Where His Light Was, was the third best-selling Christian album in the United States as ranked by Billboard.[13] The album also registered on Billboard's Independent Albums chart at number 19.[14]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
365 Days Of Inspiring Media     [15]
Hallels     [16]
Jay's Musik Blog5/5[17]
Jesus Freak Hideout     [18]

Christian music critic Josh Andre, in his review on 365 Days Of Inspiring Media, rated the album a perfect five stars saying that "Where His Light Was isn't your usual worship album, as it contains plenty of musical genres within this 11 song tracklist, and that's what makes it musically unique, fresh, reinvigorating and diverse."[15] Hallels' Timothy Yap also bestowed the album a five star rating in a superbly positive review, declaring that "Kristene DiMarco has found her niche with album #4."[16] Indicating in a stellar five point score review at Jay's Musik Blog, Jay Wright states, "Where His Light Was is a stunning worship album that focuses listeners on Jesus and remember that He is leading us, even if all we can see is darkness in front of us."[17] Wright concluded on a congratulatory note, saying "Great job, Kristene DiMarco!"[17] Josh Balogh, reviewing the album for Jesus Freak Hideout whilst rating it four stars, says "The message remains on point, striking at the heart of fear by reminding listeners that God is present, we are His children, His light shines into darkness, and His plans are good."[18]

Aaron Lewendon of Eden.co.uk in his review of the album, says "It is a unique release that allows Kristene DiMarco to try new things, to create songs that are memorable, striking, and distinctive without coming across as mere surface."[19] Gateway News' Luchae Williams drew the conclusion that Where His Light Was is "thoughtful and bold, showcasing the singer’s ability to not only pen her own hits but also deliver them in a way that is sincere and honest."[20]

Track listing

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Where His Light Was — Standard edition[2][3]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Doxology"Thomas Ken[21]0:42
2."Where His Light Was"Kristene DiMarco[22]1:53
3."Fear Not"
[23]
3:00
4."Take Courage (Radio Version)"
[24]
4:01
5."Never Ever"
[25]
3:21
6."I Am No Victim"
  • K. DiMarco
  • Mosley
  • Tony Brown
[26]
4:41
7."Jesus Is Willing" (featuring Tasha Cobbs Leornard)
  • K. DiMarco
  • Nate Moore
  • Hammitt
  • Mosley
  • Brown
[27]
3:53
8."Your Love Stands Alone"
[28]
4:04
9."Hope Is Alive"[29]4:31
10."Could You Be This Good"
  • K. DiMarco
  • Mosley
[30]
4:47
11."I Just Want to Worship"
  • K. DiMarco
  • Mosley
  • Hammitt
  • Jordan DiMarco
[31]
4:14
Total length:39:07

Charts

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Album

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Chart (2017) Peak
position
Australian Digital Albums (ARIA)[32] 22
UK Official Christian & Gospel Albums (OCC)[33] 1
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[34] 3
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[35] 19

Singles

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Year Single Peak
positions
US Christian
[36]
Christian Airplay
[37]
Christian Digital Songs
[38]
2017 "Take Courage" 36 34 20

Release history

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Region Date Version Format Label Ref.
Worldwide September 22, 2017 Standard Bethel Music [1][2][3]

References

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  1. ^ a b "KRISTENE DIMARCO - Where His Light Was - Amazon.com Music". Amazon.com. September 22, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Where His Light Was by Kristene DiMarco on Apple Music". Apple Music. U.S. Apple Inc. September 22, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c "Where His Light Was by Kristene Dimarco on Spotify". Spotify. 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  4. ^ "Louder Than The Music - Bethel Music's Kristene DiMarco To Unveil Vibrant New Album 'Where His Light Was'". Louder Than The Music. August 18, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  5. ^ "Where His Light Was – Kristene DiMarco | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c Hyder, Courtney (August 11, 2017). "Bethel Music's Kristene DiMarco To Unveil Vibrant New Album, Where His Light Was, On Sept. 22 — the media collective" (Press release). Nashville, Tennessee: Bethel Music. The Media Collective. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  7. ^ Longs, Herb (March 23, 2017). "Bethel Music Announces 'Starlight' To Debut April 7". The Christian Beat. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  8. ^ "SHORT FILM: I NEEDED A SUPERNATURAL GOD | KRISTENE DIMARCO'S STORY - YouTube". YouTube. YouTube, LLC. October 31, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  9. ^ "Where His Light Was by Kristene DiMarco Now Available for Pre-Order". MultiTracks.com. MultiTracks LLC. September 1, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  10. ^ "Take Courage (Radio Version) - Single by Kristene DiMarco on Apple Music". Apple Music. U.S. Apple Inc. May 8, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  11. ^ "Bethel Music feat. Kristene DiMarco - Take Courage (Radio Mix) | Daily Play MPE®". Daily Play MPE®. Destiny Media Technologies Inc. May 5, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  12. ^ "Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart Top 20 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. The Official UK Charts Company. October 5, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  13. ^ "Christian Albums: Top Praise Music Chart | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. October 14, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  14. ^ "Independent Albums | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. October 14, 2017. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  15. ^ a b Andre, Joshua (September 24, 2017). "Kristene DiMarco – Where His Light Was | 365 Days Of Inspiring Media". 365 Days Of Inspiring Media. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  16. ^ a b Yap, Timothy (September 7, 2017). "Kristene DiMarco "Where His Light Was" Album Review : Exclusives : Hallels". Hallels. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  17. ^ a b c Wright, Jay (September 22, 2017). "Jay's Musik Blog: Kristene DiMarco: Where His Light Was Review". Jay's Musik Blog. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  18. ^ a b Balogh, Josh (September 28, 2017). "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Kristene DiMarco, "Where His Light Was" Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  19. ^ Lewendon, Aaron (September 21, 2017). "Where His Light Was - Review". Eden.co.uk. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  20. ^ Williams, Luchae (October 5, 2017). "Where His Light Was — Kristene DiMarco: Review". Gateway News. Transformation Christian Network. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  21. ^ "Kristene DiMarco – Doxology Lyrics | Genius Lyrics". Genius Lyrics. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  22. ^ "PraiseCharts | "Where His Light Was" Sheet Music (Kristene DiMarco)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  23. ^ "PraiseCharts | "Fear Not" Sheet Music (Kristene DiMarco)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  24. ^ "PraiseCharts | "Take Courage" Sheet Music (Kristene DiMarco)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  25. ^ "Never Ever - Bethel Music". Bethel Music. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  26. ^ "PraiseCharts | "I Am No Victim" Sheet Music (Kristene DiMarco)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  27. ^ "Jesus Is Willing - Bethel Music". Bethel Music. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  28. ^ "PraiseCharts | "Your Love Stands Alone" Sheet Music (Kristene DiMarco)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  29. ^ "Hope Is Alive - Bethel Music". Bethel Music. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  30. ^ "PraiseCharts | "Could You Be This Good" Sheet Music (Kristene DiMarco)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  31. ^ "PraiseCharts | "I Just Want to Worship" Sheet Music (Kristene DiMarco)". PraiseCharts. PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  32. ^ "ARIA Digital Albums Chart.pdf?seq=13" (PDF). ARIA. Australian Recording Industry Association Ltd. October 2, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  33. ^ "Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart Top 20 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. The Official UK Charts Company. October 5, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  34. ^ "Kristene DiMarco Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  35. ^ "Kristene DiMarco Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  36. ^ "Kristene DiMarco Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Hot Christian Songs. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  37. ^ "Kristene DiMarco Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Christian Airplay. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  38. ^ "Kristene DiMarco Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Christian Digital Song Sales. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved December 28, 2017.