During a new conversation, Brandon Lake and Nick Jonas sit down to delve into the meaning behind their faith-filled new duet, ‘The Author’, as well as teasing a major announcement.

‘The Author’ finds Lake and Nick trading verses about the various doubts, insecurities and challenges they've faced over the years, before determining to stop trying to control every aspect of their lives, and instead trusting that God's plans are always good.

Their vocals sound incredible together, and this feels like an extension of the soul-stirring spirit behind Nick's latest album, Sunday Best. Even so, on paper, ‘The Author’ - and their companion collaboration, ‘Hope (Remix)’ - felt like a bolt from the blue.

Lake explains that, despite the two artists hailing from different corners of the music world, working together was easy, “It wasn't as far of a leap as I thought with us collaborating, and I think that is so rad”. Nick then jokes that he knows why they got on so well, “It's the pastor's kid connection!”, with both being sons of pastors.

Lake reflects on the lesson he discovered through this star-studded collaboration, “So let that be a testimony that, man, it's never as far of a leap as you think. Whether that's with you connecting to your neighbour, you know, or maybe it's a big opportunity. I'm learning that, man, there's power in collaboration and in community, because I think that's what the kingdom looks like, and I think that's what heals people, is coming together. So I'm grateful to be on it, man”.

In a separate clip from their insightful discussion, Lake muses, “I've literally said that line to myself, because I'm like, ’I don't know if I can do this. But who am I to question the pen in the hand of the author?’ He asked me to do it. He's called me to do it”.

Nick expands on how special the song is to him, “I love that lyric in the bridge of the song, one of my favourite lyrics is: “I've seen panic turn to power / Felt your peace in my darkest hour / What grace is this / Call me by name / Again and again and again”. One of my favourite things I've ever been a part of writing [is] that little piece of music, because I think it rings true for all of us...People see us on the stage or they see us out here, just doing what we're doing and living our lives”.

The Jonas Brothers hitmaker goes on, “And oftentimes, I think they can overlook the fact that we've gone through the same day-to-day things, that we're all going through”.

Nick concludes, “Tests of confidence and am I being a good father today, am I being a good husband, am I showing up for my friends. And also when life throws these curveballs at you, how you respond is a direct reflection of your real connection with your God and with your faith. I think that it's been really gratifying to see even so far with the song being out...people's reactions across my fanbase and yours, and that cross-section of everyone asking themselves those questions”.

In another interview with Zach Sang, Nick touches more broadly on his current relationship with faith, with the ‘Jealous’ singer-songwriter having previously expressing his deep-seated admiration for his wife Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ religion, Hinduism. Nick was raised in an Assembly of God church, with evangelical Christian roots.

He outlines that his faith is persistently evolving, but he is always in touch with God, “I speak to God all the time. It's not even just in prayer. When you're doing something you love, it could be anything, when you're doing something you love, that can be your connection to God. When you're with the people you love, that can be your connection to God. I think life is nuts and it requires a thick skin, and a heart that is searching and yearning for something more meaningful and deeper. At least I am...Faith is a huge part of my life and constantly changing”.

‘The Author’ is a brilliant meditation on faith and the peace of mind that can come from letting go of the reins a little, and trusting that there is a greater plan in store for us all.

With Lake and Nick teasing a huge announcement in their social media posts this week, we're hoping they're about to unveil a series of joint live shows, following their recent blockbuster link-up at the former's South Carolina's CreditOne Stadium show.

His momentous collaborations with Nick are the latest in a string of high-profile, genre-blurring duets from Lake, with the ‘Gratitude’ crooner paving the way for a country-Christian crossover project featuring Thomas Rhett, HARDY, Dan + Shay, Bailey Zimmerman, Russell Dickerson, Tyler Hubbard, Lainey Wilson and more.

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