This Is Not a Test (album)
This Is Not a Test (stylized as ***THIS IS NOT A TEST***) is the seventh studio album by American recording artist TobyMac. The album was released on August 7, 2015. It debuted at No. 4 on the "Billboard" 200. In February 2016, it won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. The standard edition was released with 11 tracks, including "Feel It", "Beyond Me", and "Move (Keep Walkin')". The deluxe edition was released with 15 tracks, including "Lift You Up" featuring Ryan Stevenson, "Fall", and "Beyond Me" and "Like A Match" remixes  by Soul Glow Activatur and David Garcia respectively. Singles. The lead single from the album, "Beyond Me" was released on January 6, 2015. The song received positive critical reception. "Feel It" was sent to Christian AC radio as the second single from the album on July 28, 2015. "Move (Keep Walkin')" was announced and released as the third single from the album on February 1, 2016. "Love Broke Thru", the fourth single from the album, was released on September 19, 2016. Critical reception. James Christopher Monger, indicating in a three and a half star review at AllMusic, recognizes, "Five decades  into his career, Toby McKeehan still sounds energized and youthful, and his breezy delivery and knack for crafting intact." Awarding the album five stars from "CCM Magazine", Andy Argyrakis states, "TobyMac sounds just as hungry as his dcTalk days on "This Is Not A Test"." Sarah Fine, giving the album four stars for New Release Today, writes, ""This Is Not A Test" firmly solidifies Toby's place in the industry and proves that he isn't going anywhere anytime soon." Signaling in a four and a half star review for New Release Today, Amanda Brogan-DeWilde responds, "Toby serves us  some songs worthy of repeat and proves once again that he's got what it takes to top the charts." Jessica Morris, awarding the album a 4.7 out of five star review from PPCORN, recognizes, "Positive, bold, riveting and eclectic, Toby Mac is unlike any artist you have ever heard, and that is why his music is so powerful." Markos Papadatos, specifying in a four and a half star review from Digital Journal, replies, "TobyMac is back stronger than ever with "This Is Not a Test"...It is very different than his previous studio efforts, but it is still remarkable  nonetheless." Rating the album four stars at Jesus Freak Hideout, Christopher Smith describes, "Toby's ability to dabble in a variety of styles and utilize several guest features, without sounding like a dilettante, is impressive...With catchy beats and Christ-centered lyrics, "This Is Not A Test" is another solid entry for this talented solo artist." Roger Gelwicks, indicating in a four star review by Jesus Freak Hideout, says, ""This is Not a Test" shows no signs of the producer slowing down, and it could very well be Toby's most complete album this side of "Diverse City"." Giving the  album four stars at Jesus Freak Hideout, Mark Rice states, "this is a very welcome album to come around". Jay Akins, awarding the album five stars from "Worship Leader", says, "Toby is a true master craftsman—"This Is Not a Test" is a gospel-truth-infused party from top to bottom." Giving the album a ten out of ten for Cross Rhythms, Tony Cummings describes, "Another demonstration that Mr McKeehan continues to be able to blend timeless spiritual messaging to pop culture immediacy." Alex Caldwell, rating the album four stars from Jesus Freak Hideout, writes, ""This Is Not A Test" is  a great, creative mix of uplifting sounds that proves that there is much more left in TobyMac's gas tank." Specifying in a 4.4 out of five review at Christian Music Review, Brian Hunter realizes, "Toby delivers a diverse album". Michael Tackett, awarding the album five stars from CM Addict, writes, "his most creative and personal record to date." Giving the album four stars for CM Addict, Andrew Funderburk states, "***THIS IS NOT A TEST*** is yet another mark of his excellence in musical artistry." Jonathan Andre, rating the album four and a half star at 365 Days of Inspiring  Media, says, "it is Toby's eclectic and comprehensive range of musical genres and styles that further enhance my love for "*THIS IS NOT A TEST*"." Awarding the album four stars for The Christian Manifesto, Calvin Moore says, "Toby Mac is a showman and he’s stepped up his game with this outing. This Is Not a Test is the title of the album, but if it were a test, Toby Mac passes with flying colors. This time." Commercial performance. The album debuted at No. 4 on "Billboard" 200, and No. 1 on the Top Christian Albums chart, selling 35,000  copies in its first week. This is TobyMac's fourth No. 1 album on the Christian chart, It has sold 142,000 copies as of November 2016. Personnel. Singers Additional musicians Toby McKeehan and the "unofficial" New Hope Choir Production