INTERVIEW
Eden Hill's new single, "Afraid," delves into an intense battle between his past and present self, fear and hope, the “Enemy” and God. Serving as the first single and introductory track to his upcoming album, “Fear No Evil,” “Afraid” sets the stage for Eden Hill’s journey to facing his fears and embracing his faith. The song opens with the line, “I don’t even know where to begin,” foreshadowing the depth and complexity of the introspection to come.
When asked how he was drawn toward God, Eden Hill explains it was mostly a result of a culmination of events and realizations. He did, however, recall one vivid moment from years ago when he unexpectedly encountered a striking and beautiful vision of Jesus. Shortly thereafter it was contrasted with a jarring moment in the mirror. He mentioned staring at himself, seeing the darkness and enemy that was threatening to consume him if he continued down the path he was on.
Often referred to as the “enemy” in the song “Afraid,” Eden Hill reveals how the devil once had a grip over his life, fueling fear and devastation. Overindulging in toxic habits and unhealthy choices created an ever-growing void within him, which ultimately led him to seek faith and truth. While this may sound oversimplified, the complexity of that experience is not simple whatsoever. You’ll hear the emotional tension of the piano melody reflect his inner turmoil as he sorts through an overwhelming process:
“The enemy keeps trying me and bringing up regrets
And making me ashamed of me, see shame is a deep threat”
Eden reflects on his early music, which recycled feelings of emptiness, depression and shame. He wasn’t meant to perpetuate superficial lifestyles, drug abuse or shallow portrayals of women, feeding a cycle of depression, with his art. He shared that God withdrew his musical talent to prepare him for a greater purpose—he gave it back to glorify him, which is subtly conveyed in the lyrics,
“I ve been picked out of the sin I had he called me elect
And you can see the transformation grace is taking effect
I need some respect so much I didn't really expect
The things I detect to get inside the depth of my chest.”
Eden Hill explores the different stages of embracing God while he confronts his past. Reflecting on your regrets is scary and he grapples with the question of whether he will be haunted by his past mistakes in the lyrics, “
“Will it reanimate and hunt me down and bury my face
Inside the shame and the regrets I built I'm kind of afraid”
or if his journey to the truth will stand as a testament to his faith in God’s plan. He feels the Lord is his fortress—his spiritual armor. There’s a defense in truth, and this reassurance has helped him cultivate hope.
Eden Hill skillfully conveys the teetering between fear and hope not just through his writing but also in his mixing process. The use of reverb and intentional space throughout the track creates a sense of intimacy and intensity. In moments where the vocals are close, the emotions are vulnerable and raw. The pauses, where the instrumentation decreases and his words echo and linger, invite listeners to let the words sink in. He emphasizes that these pauses create space for reassurance, reminding listeners that relate, they are not alone—and that there is hope.
And for someone who has carved a very complex and challenging path to regain hope, this journey has allowed him to see the beauty and delight in life again. Hence the significance behind his artist name, “Eden Hill." He shares its dual meaning—the Garden of Eden—and in Hebrew, Eden means 'to delight.' He further elaborates, in a world full of destruction and brokenness, this name serves as a reminder that, despite the hardships, his horizon isn't limited to this planet. It points to a beautiful paradise, a place where he can find delight. It’s about entering a state of peace and alignment with his true self, guided by divine appointments and whatever path the Lord has for him.
When asked about what's next, Eden Hill laughs, “I don’t know, and I like to keep it that way. I love surprises and am enjoying the journey. I love what’s happening. I just want everybody to know that I get to be a messenger in an overarching story. There is nothing that’s happening to you that doesn’t have a purpose, and life can be beautiful if you finally surrender.”
To experience the journey, listen to “Afraid” on Spotify.
Lyrics to Afraid can be found here.
STAY TUNED:
Album Fear No Evil, Drops October 4th.
Follow Eden Hill on Social for Updates about the upcoming music video Afraid
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