Chris Tomlin gave an interview to '' Worship Leader '' 's Jeremy Armstrong and Armstrong asked Tomlin , " Your new record '' Burning Lights '' is a little bit of a shift for you in sound , obviously . So I wanted you to perhaps explain to people who are longtime listeners to your music , what might they hear that 's a little bit different than what you 've done in the past ? " Chris Tomlin was asked the question in the same interview with '' Worship Leader '' by Jeremy Armstrong that " What will always be in a Chris Tomlin record no matter how long your career lasts ? What would you say will always be a part of what you do when you release something ? " '' Burning Lights '' was met with positive reception from the critics . James Christopher Monger of AllMusic rated the album four-out-of-five stars stating the album " stays true to the worship leader 's penchant for crafting immaculately rendered slabs of inspirational modern rock that crib from Brit-pop , AOR rock , and folk , but they hardly sound phoned in . " '' CCM Magazine '' also rated the album four-out-of-five stating that after " nine studio albums in , Chris Tomlin is still turning exciting new corners . Besides his artfully wound songrwriting the project includes compelling collaborations with Lecrae , Christy Nockels , Kari Jobe and Phil Wickham . " Joshua Andre of Christian Music Zine rated '' Burning Lights '' four-point-five-out-of-five , stating that " Chris Tomlin has always impressed me with his offerings , but '' Burning Lights '' is on another level ! This is seriously a great album and I am sure listeners will love the fresh melodies and different styles even if you are n't a Chris Tomlin fan ... " In addition , Andre wrote that " ... '' Burning Lights '' feels like the most ' complete ' album of his career , if you could call it like that - I do n't think I 've ever been excited by a Chris Tomlin album ever . " Tony Cummings of Cross Rhythms bestowed the album a perfect ten squares commenting on how " Tomlin is on a creative role and this , his 12th album , is his best yet . " Indie Vision Music was also positive , rating the album four-out-of-five-stars writing that " ... Burning Lights is able to break the musical mould of simple worshipful tunes , mixing the tempos and musical arrangements up nicely " . Louder Than the Music 's Dave Wood gave it a perfect rating noting how '' Burning Lights ' '' " sets a new milestone on the worship song highway , breaking new ground with its mix of fresh relevant vibes and more established style of congregational worship . It 's the ultimate modern worship album that will set the standard for what others will produce going forward " . Kevin Davis of New Release Tuesday was superbly positive to the album and rated it a perfect five stars . He exclaimed that " '' Burning Lights '' is my new favorite overall album by Chris Tomlin ... They are all instantly sing-able and worshipful arrangements that you 'll want to add to your Sunday morning set-list . The themes of this album are Trusting God , loving Him and loving others as He loved us . All of the songs are catchy , exciting and worshipful . After listening to the album , I am stirred with compassion to love people as Jesus loves us . " '' USA Today '' music critic Brian Mansfield rated the album three-out-of-four noting that if you " walk into any evangelical church on Sunday , and chances are the congregation will sing at least one Tomlin song . He 'll add to their repertoire with these stirring melodies that tie him to both contemporary pop and hymns of old . " Andrea Hunter of '' Worship Leader '' rated the album a perfect five stars stating that " '' Burning Lights '' is the quintessential representation of solid songwriting married to classic commercial pop recording . " Jesus Freak Hideout 's Roger Gelwick and Alex " Tincan " Caldwell rated '' Burning Lights '' three-out-of-five stars in a somewhat negative review . Gelwick stated that while " there are refreshing changes that show Tomlin 's willingness to venture into uncharted territory on occasion , " the second half of the album was " a flickering disappointment in the end . " Caldwell stated that while the " first six songs stands shoulder to shoulder with Tomlin 's best known ( and sung ) songs " , the second half of the album " is largely forgettable and stuffed with filler songs that even repeat melodies and lyrics from past albums . " The album won the Praise and Worship Album category at the 44th GMA Dove Awards . It was also nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards
44th GMA Dove Awards
44th GMA Dove Awards
Burning Lights