TobyMac claimed that this was his most emotional album that he ever recorded. In October 2019, his eldest son Truett died after an accidental drug overdose. TobyMac said, "I immediately went to write, because that's what I know to do when I'm in so much pain. You go to [write] what you know, what you love and what brings you peace. I immediately started writing – and I wrote '21 Years'. Then I wrote a song called 'Faithfully', and I wrote 'Everything About You' in the first few months after Truett passed."[3]
Singles
"21 Years" was released on January 10, 2020, and is about TobyMac's son Truett Foster, who died a couple months prior, at the age of 21. The song peaked at No. 3 on the US Hot Christian Songs Chart.[4]
"I'm Sorry (A Lament)" was released on October 2, 2020. The song peaked at No. 25 on the US Hot Christian Songs Chart.[5]
"Promised Land" was released on September 17, 2021. The song peaked at No. 9 on the US Hot Christian Songs Chart. The song featured pop rock artist Sheryl Crow on the OG Collab version.[7][8][9]
"The Goodness" was released on June 2, 2022. The song featured new artist Blessing Offor, and peaked at No. 1 on the US Hot Christian Songs Chart. This song was then performed at the 53rd GMA Dove Awards.[10][11]
"Cornerstone" was released on February 17, 2023. The song features CCM artist Zach Williams.[12]
Life After Death received mostly positive ratings from critics. Jesus Freak Hideout said of the album, "With a lyrical cohesion and an almost theatrical community feel throughout, Life After Death is a tough album (if you understand the sad context of it) that nevertheless gives hope...is well worth your time, and shows that in Christ, believers 'do not weep as those who have no hope.' Tragedy is not the end of the story."[14] Giving the album a perfect 5, 365 Days of Inspiring Media said that the album was “very powerful, heartfelt, compelling, and challenging, while also laced in the joyfulness colliding with lament and sorrow that comes after a death of a loved one. It’s knowing the promise of God while still reconciling how it looks like, this side of eternity. And that is what is seen all through Toby’s album, and it’s been a blast to listen to it."[17]AllMusic's Marcy Donelson rated the album 4 out of 5, stating that "[TobyMac's] eventual ninth album, Life After Death, finds the genre-blurring Christian artist navigating the aftermath [of his son's death] alongside a slew of guests with a poignant mix of warm appreciations and invigorated motivational song."[13] JubileeCast gave 4 out of 5 and said, "Though not perfect, the album does have many powerful moments. Most importantly, this is an honest set of songs. TobyMac doesn't give us recycled answers to the problem of suffering. Rather, using the space of 15 songs, he works with us through these issues. Reflective of life, there are some downers as well as some sparks of joy and hope."[15] New Release Today's Average NRTeam rating was 2 out of 5.[16]
