Teenage Rocker Prepares New Album, Becomes Sensation in Japan

|PIC1|Popular 17-year-old Christian artist Krystal Meyers has become a sensation in Japan.

Since the U.S. release of her self-titled debut album on Essential Records, Meyers has garnered a Dove Award nomination for New Artist of the Year, had three Top 10 singles (“The Way To Begin”, “My Savior”, and “Anticonformity”), and performed before more than 400,000 people.

And aside from being on the cover of Nylon and Bounce magazines, she knocked the Red Hot Chili Peppers from the top slot to achieve her first No. 1 single in Japan.

The teenage rocker is now readying for her sophomore album Dying for a Heart, which will be in stores Sept. 19.

Her hit single, “Anticonformity,” was a powerful anthem that encouraged others to buck trends and embrace their individuality. Krystal quickly gained a reputation as an artist whose musical talent was underscored by her conviction.

As she began writing songs for her sophomore album, her approach was simple. “I wanted this to be God’s words, not my own,” she says. “I want God to be speaking through my music. So I stepped back and prayed about it. I surrendered the whole writing process to God.”

The album’s title comes from the song “Love is on the Run.” “Dying for a heart is what Jesus ultimately did for us on the cross,” says Krystal. “He died for all of our hearts and our well being, for us to be able to have that opportunity to have communion with the Father. We’re dying for a place to call our own, somewhere for our heart to have peace and resolution.”

|AD|“Stand and Scream” is a song Krystal co-wrote with Tiffany from Plumb and Matt Bronlewee. She describes it as a song about “coming out of your shell and saying ‘I want my voice to be heard’.” Another standout on her new set is “Live.” “It’s about living,” she explains simply. “The song asks: ‘Am I too young and restless to live the way the fearless do?’ It’s about wanting to live life to the fullest extent.”

“The rock songs on the record are a bit more rock than on the first one,” she says. “We made the guitars a little beefier and there are cooler drum licks and bass lines. Then there are prettier moments like ‘The Beauty of Grace.’ There are songs that are more intimate.”

“The Beauty of Grace” is sure to become a modern day classic as it tenderly explores one of God’s greatest gifts. “It’s about grace and the fact that no matter how far away you are, God is here,” says Krystal. “All your scars and every mistake you’ve made is erased in God’s arms. In His arms, everything is forgiven. There is grace so abundant.”
related articles
Krystal Meyers Tops Japanese Radio
Krystal Meyers Tops Japanese Radio

Krystal Meyers Tops Japanese Radio

News
Nigeria: all Christians kidnapped by bandits now free
Nigeria: all Christians kidnapped by bandits now free

They are said to be in generally good condition.

Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison
Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison

The 78-year-old Catholic and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper was convicted in December on two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security and one count of conspiracy to publish seditious articles.

Archbishop Mullally uses maiden presidential address to re-commit to better safeguarding standards
Archbishop Mullally uses maiden presidential address to re-commit to better safeguarding standards

Dame Sarah Mullally has used her maiden presidential address to Synod as Archbishop of Canterbury to lament the Church of England's past failings on safeguarding and double down on raising standards. 

Cuban bishops warn oil sanctions could deepen hardship and unrest
Cuban bishops warn oil sanctions could deepen hardship and unrest

The message, read in Catholic parishes nationwide, warned that further pressure on fuel access would fall most heavily on vulnerable families already struggling to survive.