Fresh off the release of the YK Osiris-assisted “Set Me Free,” the first single from Restoration, it seems Lecrae’s ninth solo studio album is just around the corner. Through teasing for over four months, Lecrae has given us details about the highly anticipated album. Here is as much info as can be found on the album.

Release Date

The release date for Restoration has changed drastically over the last four months. First off, in an interview with CBN News, Lecrae shared it dropping “before the end of 2019 or early 2020.” On the report of the Atlanta Hawks NBA website, it stated the album was dropping “March 2020.” Then, according to The Source, it was headed for a “spring 2020” release. But Lecrae later confirmed in a Twitter Q&A that Restoration, the album, is releasing in summer 2020, along with his book “I Am Restored” for fall 2020.

Album – this summer. Book – this fall. https://t.co/TKisbMDEi7 — Lecrae (@lecrae) March 20, 2020

Tracklist/Songs

Lecrae has teased a numerous amount of snippets and song titles. Here’s a compilation of the snippets Lecrae has posted through social media:

While most of the songs (and snippets) do not have confirmed titles, some have been confirmed:

“Self Discovery,” first confirmed on a YouTube Q&A video, is Lecrae’s favorite song he’s worked on for Restoration. It features production from S1, who produced tracks for Lecrae on Anomaly and Church Clothes, and has a deep meaning:

Fave song is called Self Discovery. It’s the song where I realized God is not transactional, He’s relational. https://t.co/LkactWJMCm — Lecrae (@lecrae) March 20, 2020

“Drown” is a song title teased on the YouTube premiere for “Set Me Free” by Lecrae in the live comment section.

“Seats Back” is a track teased on Lecrae’s Instagram, featuring Abe Parker, who worked on “Joy” and “We Three Kings” on 116’s The Gift.

“I Ain’t Never Gonna Change,” premiered at the Destination Tour in 2016, and was cut from Lecrae’s All Things Work Together. The track features KB and will not likely see the light of day, but could make its way onto Restoration.

Features & Production

In an interview with Black Enterprise, ‘Crae shared: “For Restoration, I’ve gotten to work with a lot of major artists.”

With a lot to expect feature-wise after a collaboration with YK Osiris, Lecrae has dropped a few names through various interviews and social media. On the Winging It with Vince Carter podcast, released on January 17, 2020, he announced collaborations with John Legend, BJ the Chicago Kid, and Kirk Franklin. He then teased a collaboration with labelmate Andy Mineo in a YouTube Q&A and has been seen working in the studio with Swoope and KB on social media.

Back in 2016, Run the Jewels rapper Killer Mike also made it to Reach Records Studios, teasing a collaboration with Lecrae. Work with the two still hasn’t seen the light of day and Restoration could be a perfect time for it.

On the production side of the album, S1 and Epikh Pro seem to have spots on the album, producing snippets. Labelmate GAWVI produced “Set Me Free” and could have done more production for Restoration. Los Angles-based production group NOVA Wav, who has worked for Beyonce, Jay Z, and Ariana Grande, was in the studio back with Lecrae in May 2019. Rapper Propaganda was also seen in one of the videos.

Lecrae in the studio again with NOVA Wav pic.twitter.com/YXwrDX8HLJ — Lecrae Updates (@LecraeUpdates) May 29, 2019

Message

Restoration is set to be Lecrae’s process of healing over the past few years. Thorugh experiencing troubles with the music industry and with social issues, as well as relational, marital, and financial chaos, Lecrae has seen God restore his life and heal his scars. He shared in his CBN interview: “I’ve really truly been restored. God has done some restorative work in my life over the last few years. I’ve gone through a lot of turmoil and pain behind the scenes and people they know some of it but they don’t know how it truly affected me and my family and so a lot of that will be shown. And people will be able to see that some relationships have been restored, some perspectives have been restored and my faith has definitely been restored.”

He also shared in a tweet:

2017 Changed me.

2018 Broke me.

2019 Opened my eyes.

2020 I’m coming back. — Lecrae (@lecrae) November 23, 2019

“Set Me Free” fits in with the theme well, focusing on hope in times where one feels they’re bound to difficult situations. This album’s message could take inspiration from Psalm 23:3, where David writes: “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

Also, in an exclusive interview with Billboard, Lecrae wrote on restoration amidst the coronavirus, not falling a slave to fear and anxiety, but looking to God for healing and restoration: “Humanity always recovers, and I am confident we will be restored again. I want to be a part of that solution.”

On a Twitter Q&A, Lecrae shared that Restoration was his second favorite project he’s released, following his 2012 mixtape Church Clothes.

1. CC1

2. Restoration

3.Gravity

4. Rebel

5. Anomaly — Lecrae (@lecrae) March 20, 2020

Alex Medina, who has produced for Lecrae since “Background” as well as art direction for many albums, and Ace Harris, the A&R for Reach Records, both ranked Restoration at the top of their lists.

There’s a lot to expect from Lecrae and Restoration, are you excited for the album?