YouTube sensations Caleb + KelseyGrimm have kept busy in 2020 (so far, the married couple has released three full-length worship albums). This truckload of quality music only adds to their eight previous records released between 2017 and 2019. With more than 500,000 listeners and 130,000 followers on Spotify, Caleb + Kelsey have delivered another collection of worship medleys on Worship Vol. II. I connected with the duo to discuss this new project, song by song.
"Way Maker / Surrounded"
We live in a chaotic world—maybe now more than ever. We’re in the midst of a pandemic, sickness, loneliness from the disconnection of quarantine, economic downturn, as well as a polarizing political climate. Sometimes, it feels impossible to navigate our way out. Jesus said, “I am the way.” It's hard to see that when we’re surrounded by chaos. If we only have eyes to see, we can see that we’re surrounded by the divine. That message is what we set out to say by re-imagining these songs.
"Oceans / 10,000 Reasons"
If someone asked you to name the two biggest worship songs of the last decade, these two songs would likely be near the top of the list. These are generational songs that just paired so well.
The first two worship mash-ups that we ever did—that sort of sent us down this path of doing mashups—was "Oceans / You Make Me Brave" and "10,000 Reasons / What a Beautiful." I remember thinking, “You know, I bet 'Oceans' and '10,000 Reasons' would actually mash-up in a really cool way, too." So, here we are.
Actually, a lot of the individual songs on this record, we’ve used before in different mash-up arrangements. But, to me, what I like about these mash-ups is recording them is a way to keep these songs new and fresh. Re-imagining them gives them a new life for me.
"Yes, I Will / Raise a Hallelujah"
These two songs just made so much sense to sing together. They almost feel like the same song: thematically, in the sense that they almost sing like psalms, and, musically, in that, they’re the same tempo and feel. These songs are both so grounding and centering; they're a reminder to look to God and not our own circumstances.
"What a Beautiful Name / Tremble"
“What a Beautiful Name” speaks about the name of Jesus: "It’s beautiful, wonderful, powerful." And the entire chorus in the song, “Tremble” speaks “Jesus, Jesus.” So, the two simply flowed together so beautifully. The name of Jesus has meant so much to so many throughout the ages. It continues to carry magnificent meaning today.
"King of Kings / Living Hope"
We mashed up these two songs because I feel like they both lay out the gospel in a beautifully simple way. They’re both slow-building songs that end in the death and resurrection. They both carry the message of Easter. The lyrics of these songs were almost meant to be weaved together.
"Father’s House / Stand In Your Love"
These songs are both about identity. When we’re in a place where we’re connected to the divine and engaged with his presence in our life, then fear and shame and all those things just sort of fade. "The Father’s House" is simply a metaphor for being in that place of connectedness with God.
"You Say / Reckless Love"
These were the two biggest songs of 2019. They’re both simple songs that declare God’s love for us. Just like it says in Romans 8, there’s quite literally nothing that can separate us from the love of God. This mash-up is a reminder of that hope-filled idea.
"Run to the Father / Come to the Altar"
To me, both of these songs speak to that when you come to the end of yourself—which if you live the human experience long enough, you’ll get there eventually—that when you hit rock bottom, there’s still hope. There’s somewhere to run. God’s arms are wide open and ready to hold you.
"Holy Spirit / Build My Life"
Honestly, we really liked how these songs meshed together. Both choruses start with the word, “holy.” So, each time the chorus hits, our ear expects it to go one way. But, it always takes an interesting twist. On a more foundational level, these songs speak to a different way of living: being aware of God’s presence, and inviting that into every aspect of your life.
"How He Loves / Good Good Father"
I loved how these songs worked together. They’re both a little waltzy, so they felt really nice together musically. Thematically, the lyrics of both speak to the depth of God’s love for us. God doesn’t just love (the verb), but God is love (the noun).
Kevin McNeese started NRT in 2002 and has worked in the industry since 1999 in one form or another. He has been a fan of Christian music since 1991.
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