Look Up Child

Look Up Child is the third studio album by American singer and songwriter Lauren Daigle. It was released on September 7, 2018, through Centricity Music. The album received the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album at the 2019 Grammy Awards, and was nominated for Top Christian Album at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards. As of July 13, 2017, it has spent 38 weeks at No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart, the longest reign of the 2010s. It also reached number one on the UK Christian and Gospel Albums chart. It was the bestselling Christian album of 2018, 2019, and 2020 in the US. It was certified Double Platinum in the US and Platinum in New Zealand.

Background and theme

In an interview with Billboard's Jim Asker, Daigle discussed the role of faith in her music, explaining that she did not avoid addressing spiritual themes because she believed they communicated sincerity and authenticity. She also described the album as intended to be "a record of joy" and "a record of hope", emphasizing her desire for it to evoke a sense of childlike wonder. She stated that making the record required her to reconnect with her younger self and reconsider "the innocence of [her] childhood". Working again with producers, Paul Mabury and Jason Ingram, Daigle felt the project ultimately fulfilled its intended purpose. According to her, the remark clarified for her that themes of hope and joy resonated beyond genre boundaries, and it led her to conclude that such emotional qualities were widely sought after.

Daigle had initially been uncertain who would embrace her debut release, but years of touring revealed a consistent core audience. She cited John Mayer's interview; she noted that his idea of continually approaching each project as if it were a debut resonated with her and shaped her mindset while working on the album. Addressing the album's marketing, Daigle acknowledged that the "business end of creativity" can at times feel restrictive. She said the team instead chose to remain focused on what felt "naturally fun" and aligned with her personal interests.

Influences

Daigle had cited artists such as Aretha Franklin, Lauryn Hill, Whitney Houston, and Amy Winehouse as major influences during the writing and recording of Look Up Child. She pointed to Adele as particularly formative in shaping her confidence as a vocalist; she explained that hearing Adele's distinctive, huskier vocal tone helped her embrace her own natural register. Daigle described the experience as a moment of recognition, saying it was "something I could grab a hold of", which ultimately encouraged her to accept her voice rather than attempt to modify it. Daigle also cited the True Colors (2015) documentary by Zedd as an influence on her promotional approach. She said she was "completely enthralled" by the film's depiction of fan engagement and expressed interest in participating in similarly interactive experiences surrounding her own release.

Release and promotion

Marketing and touring

On July 13, 2018, Daigle revealed the album's cover artwork and its release date. In support of the album, she made several performances in The Ellen Show, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Dancing with the Stars, and Good Morning America. The accompanying tour, Look Up Child Tour, began on September 27, 2018 in Cincinnati, OH. AHI, Scott Mulvihill and Infinity Song participated in the tour as a supporting act. After performing Behold Christmas Tour on November 29 for her Christmas album Behold: A Christmas Collection (2016), Daigle announced the third leg of the tour in March 2019, set to begin on March 7 at Murat Theatre in Old National Centre Indianapolis.

During an intimate performance at iHeartRadio, she announced the 2020 world tour, set to begin on February at Pensacola; Johnnyswim was the supporting act of the tour. She extended her world tour on February 25, 2019, which would begin on April 25 at Shreveport Municipal Auditorium. On December 11, 2020, a vinyl edition of the album was released, serving as a double LP limited edition.

Singles

"You Say" was released on July 13, 2018 as the lead single of the album; its music video premiered on same day. It impacted Christian radio on July 9 and was released to Top 40 radio on January 15, 2019. Daigle performed the track at Good Morning America on December 22, 2018 and Billboard Music Awards on May 1, 2019. Upon its release, "You Say" debuted at No. 53 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Daigle's first entry on the chart; it peaked at No. 29 on March 30, 2019. It also entered Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart, marking her first entry on the chart. As of February 2019, "You Say" has spent 27 weeks atop the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart. In October, Billboard reported that it has spent 62 weeks at No. 1 on the chart, and in September 2020, the song has spent 100 weeks on it. Daigle premiered the album's title track, "Look Up Child", on August 27 through Zane Lowe's World Record on Beats 1; she performed the track at The Tonight Show on November 8. It debuted at No. 33 on the Hot Christian Songs chart and has reached a peak of No. 3. The song was released to Christian radio on January 4, 2019, being the album's second single.

The third single "Rescue" was released to Christian radio on July 12, 2019. Its music video was premiered through her YouTube channel; it was directed by American director John Gray and filmed for more than two days on Knik Glacier of Alaska. The song peaked at No. 2 on the Christian Songs chart and No. 12 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100. "Rescue" was scheduled to be released to Hot AC radio on July 22, 2019, but was released on August 19. "Still Rolling Stones" was released on August 10, 2018 as a promotional single. On October 24, Daigle performed the song at The Ellen Show. It impacted Christian radio on April 10, 2020, becoming the album's fourth single. It debuted at No. 17 on the Hot Christian Songs chart, peaking at No. 4.

Commercial performance

Look Up Child debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 with 115,000 album-equivalent units, of which 103,000 were pure album sales. It is the highest-charting album by Daigle and the highest-charting debut almong Christian albums since Until the Whole World Hears (2009) by Casting Crowns. The album became the highest-charting Christian album by a woman on the Billboard 200, since LeAnn Rimes' album You Light Up My Life peaked at No. 1 in 1997.

As of June 2019, Look Up Child has sold 362,000 copies in the U.S. The album had stayed on Top Christian Albums chart for 38 weeks, as of July 2017. On August 24, 2021, Billboard reported that the album had topped the chart for 100 weeks. It was certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA on March 1, 2024.

Critical reception

Look Up Child received widespread acclaim from music critics. Chris DeVille of Stereogum compared Daigle to English singer Adele, noting that "[f]rom her smoky powerhouse vocals to the tastefully inoffensive arrangements they dominate, her record could easily be mistaken for Adele." At CCM Magazine, Mark Geil remarked how "This isn't a retread of How Can It Be. The new album is ballad-heavy, so expect passion but not tempo. At times, Daigle's Adele-inspired vocal affectations are a little over-the-top, but her delivery remains earnest. The piano is bright, and the album shines brightest in its playful moments, like 'Still Rolling Stones' and the reggae-infused 'Your Wings'."

Luchae Williams from Gateway News affirmed that "Lauren Daigle's sophomore offering proves that you don't need dramatics, in order to create a masterpiece. Daigle's voice is enchanting and one can't help but admire the excellence in which she bobs and weaves through each song with her smoky smooth tone." Kevin Davis of New Release Today wrote "All of the songs are memorable and personal, and these moving recordings are poignant songs of reflection. Every song is emotionally captivating, and Lauren's powerful and gorgeous vocals keep me hanging on every word she sings. The standout songs each feature an engaging and emotive musical style while phrasing her prayer-filled lyrics in a creative and personal way, making it one of my top albums of the year."

Year-end lists and accolades

Track listing

Personnel

Credits were adapted from Tidal.

• Lauren Daigle – lead vocals, background vocals
• Morgan Harper Nichols – background vocals
• Dwan Hill – acoustic piano, organ
• Jason Ingram – acoustic piano, programming
• Paul Mabury – acoustic piano, programming, drums
• Joe Williams – programming
• Dwayne Larring – guitars
• Akil Thompson – guitars
• Tony Lucido – bass
• Roland Barber – trombone

String Section

• Brett Mabury – string arrangements
• David Angell, Monisa Angell, Carrie Bailey, Jenny Bifano, Certaine Booker, Zeneba Bowers, Zach Casebolt, Seanad Chang, WeiTsun Chang, Janet Darnall, David Davidson, Conni Ellisor, Alicia Engstrom, Quentin Flowers, Allison Hoffman, Jack Jezioro, Elizabeth Lamb, Craig Nelson, Emily Nelson, Sari Reist, Julie Tanner, July Tanner, Mary Kathryn Vanosdale, Matt Walker, Kristin Wilkinson and Karen Winkelmann – string players

Production

• John Mays – executive producer
• Jason Ingram – producer
• Paul Mabury – producer
• Mark Endert – mixing (1–11)
• Sean Moffitt – mixing (12, 13)
• Joe LaPorta – CD mastering at Sterling Sound (New York City, New York)
• Bernie Grundman – LP mastering at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, California)
• Connor Dwyer – design
• Jeremy Cowart – photography
• Ashley Mae Wright – additional photography
• Hannah Donohue – wardrobe stylist
• Stacy Skinner – hair stylist, make-up
• Redjett Management – management

Charts

Certifications

Release history