Group 1 Crew Returns with 1st of 3 EPs "#Faster"; Listen to the Songs Here

By Timothy Yap Aug 14, 2014 02:23 AM EDT

Group 1 Crew, led by Manwell Reyes, has become one of Christian music's leading hip-hop/pop focused artists. Following their highly successful 2012 album "Fearless," Group 1 Crew is planning on releasing three new EPs over the next twelve months. The first of the trio of EPs "#Faster" is already available for downloads at iTunes.

"It's 1 of 3 [EPs] dropping within this next year", the band confirmed on their Facebook page. "God is faithful and I wanted to encourage everyone of you to not look at friction or opposition as a negative but as a chance to prove to yourself that nothing is impossible when the God of the universe has called you! Press forward, believe in yourself but even more so believe God can do it."

Featuring special guest vocalists Moriah Peters, Jonathan Thulin and Rachel Lampa, the new recording features the Christian Hot AC/CHR and AC radio single, "A Little Closer." Already the most added song at CHR this week with the second largest increase in spins, Group 1 Crew hopes the song will encourage listeners caught up in perfectionism or a legalistic faith.

"For a long time, I felt like my Christianity was based on performance; it was about making sure that I was good enough to be called a Christian," says Manwell. "And then I realized that God truly expects us not to be perfect, but to trust in the One who is perfect. I pray that through this song, you will draw a little bit closer to understanding that God loves you where you're at, and is excited for where you're going."

The full #FASTER track listing follows:

1. The Wonder Years (feat. Moriah Peters)

2. A Little Closer

3. Heaven (Feat. Jonathan Thulin)

4. Everyday Is A Miracle (feat. Rachael Lampa)

5. Psalm 23

Group 1 Crew's music has been featured in a variety of popular television shows, including NBC's 'America's Got Talent', FOX's 'The Simple Life', MTV's 'Run's House', and The CW's 'One Tree Hill'.