Northern Ireland worship band, Rend Collective, has released their newest album, Whosoever. The record is about God's vast, generous embrace - wide enough, for the prodigal sons, cynical older brother and any other label we might apply to ourselves or others. As the title of the album clearly states - the gospel is for everyone.
"Our big hope for Whosoever is that it would be more than just Christian music, but that it would be HUMAN music: an invitation for absolutely everyone to encounter and celebrate the good news of Jesus, regardless of what labels, mistakes or religious baggage we carry," shares Rend Collective. "John 3:16 says: God so loved the world - no one is left out of that sentence. We all have access to grace and hope, and that's what we're singing about on this record."
Click here to add a video. Click to add lyrics if not listed.
What You Need to Know I’ve long enjoyed the hook-filled, worshipful and emotive songs by Rend Collective, going back to their 2010 debut with “Movements,” and continuing with “Second Chance,” “Build Your Kingdom Here,” “My Lighthouse,” “You Will Never Run,” “Rescuer,” and “Your Name is Power” from their first six studio albums. In speaking with the band for previous behind the song devotionals, they’ve been sharing their hearts and Kingdom building through their music. The worship band from Northern Ireland, Rend Collective, announces the release of their new album, Whosoever. "This record is about the wide, generous embrace of God," shares Rend Collective. "Wide enough for prodigal sons stumbling home, wide enough for cynical older brothers: wide enough to wrap around any label we might apply to ourselves or others. The bold, soaring claim of John 3:16 is that God so loved THE WORLD so that WHOSOEVER believes in Him shall not perish.
What it Sounds Like This album once again demonstrates multi-talented musicianship with creative, insightful lyrics and ear-grabbing melodies. The vibe of the album is one of the highlights with the signature musicality and harmony-filled vocals layered throughout every track. The album features a soothing and worshipful alt-rock style resembling the latest offerings by NEEDTOBREATHE, for KING & COUNTRY, and MercyMe. This entire project has a worshipful and comforting vibe. I’m really engaged by the sincere and powerful vocals and the prayerful lyrics throughout the album.
Spiritual Highlights The album features the emotionally powerful track, “As For Me” which is one of the highlights. The message is found in Scripture in Joshua 24:15 and is very convicting: “As for me and my house/We will serve the Lord forever/As for me and my blood/We will hold the line together/Though they fall on every side/We will never compromise/As for me and my house, we'll serve the Lord.” “Let it Roll” is easily one of my top songs by Rend Collective with the upbeat hook and infectious melody. I can’t get enough of the vibe and biblical message of the song, especially the Amos 5:24 inspired lyrics, “Let it roll, roll, roll like a river/Let it roll, roll, roll on forever/Let it roll, roll like a stone from the mouth of the grave.” Another biblical sentiment is the Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11 inspired lyrics found in “Plans,” which will have you singing along, “You got plans for me/You got plans for me/Greater than my wildest dreams/Stronger than the enemy/You got plans for me/You got plans for me/Even in my worst defeat/Will You give me faith to see/You got plans for me.” The John 3:16 focused “Whosoever” is a highlight, both lyrically and musically. The tone of the song matches the excitement of the message, “God so loved the world, He never left you out of it!”
Best Song on the Record “Whosoever” speaks to me in my most emotional moments of needing to hear the truth of the Gospel which can also be heard in “Boast in The Cross,” which stirs me emotionally. “Plans” is the type of song I find myself singing throughout the day. Personally, my favorite song is “Let it Roll.” I have adopted the anthem as my daily prayer: “Let hymns with a mission rise up against oppression/Like protest is our praise, it's the sound of breakin' chains/We'll sing now with passion, the soundtrack to action.” The song is the perfect call to action for Christians, for a time such as this.
Final Word Whosoever is a great collection of confessional and authentic expressions of faith, yet another "best" album from Rend Collective. Once again, the songs are poignant and powerful, and in recording the new tunes the band brings a more seasoned level of musicianship, intensity and intentionality. This album challenges me to think about how I’m living out my faith. Every song released by Rend Collective completely focuses me as a listener on joining in praise, worship and adoration. These are very passionate songs sung with vocal sincerity and reverence with biblically based lyrics. These songs will certainly connect with listeners and showcase the multi-talented band’s trademark balance of vocal tenderness and lyrical intensity, beautiful and stirring musical arrangements and, above all, songs with a sense of hope and inspiration. This is sure to be one of my top albums of the year.
to add lyrics if not listed.
