Awe and Wonder of Jesus | Posted February-20-2020 What You Need to Know:
From my first listen, I was totally captivated by this album, Glorious by Jordan and Jessa Anderson. This album focuses on the central themes of asking God to inhabit our inner being and truly allow the power of the Holy Spirit to sanctify us, along with relying solely on the love of Jesus to mold our hearts and make us more like Him. Previous releases Not Myself Anymore and Whole by Jessa Anderson were both ranked in my top 10 albums of the year. As a couple, their experience over the past 12 years of leading others in song and performing their original music, combined with their time in ministry to the local church, has given them a unique love for church music and encouraging others in the gospel through song.
What it Sounds Like:
Glorious is best described as an intimate personal worship experience with an ethereal tone. If you enjoy All Sons and Daughters, Brian and Jenn Johnson and The McClures, this album is an excellent addition to your praise and worship collection. Many of the songs are arranged in a very sing-able and catchy style. "All That Is Needed" and “Loved As Jesus” are gorgeous and worshipful songs. Jordan and Jessa have a passion to make creative music that inspires the worship of Jesus Christ and to point listeners to Him. The theme of emptying ourselves in order to be filled by the Holy Spirit and celebrating God’s great grace is found in every song.
Spiritual Highlights:
“I Cannot Outrun Your Grace” features an engaging and soothing musical style. The song includes a refrain for the believer looking for words to express their devotion, “You’re always with me, You’ll never leave me.” I’m really engaged by Jordan and Jessa’s emotional vocals and the deep, prayerful lyrics throughout the album. The theme of trusting God completely weaves through all the songs, a message that all believers need to hear. I greatly enjoy the musical vibe of this album and the melodies and lyrics are all catchy and rooted in Scripture. “Glorious” lifts high the name of Jesus with the refrain, “Long for His coming, when all things are made new, rejoice, You are making us glorious.” The creative use of biblical language is a highlight and there are no ambiguous lyrics, which is great for the Church to boldly proclaim praises to Jesus. Jordan and Jessa sing songs with an amazing passion, with unashamed praise and gratitude to our Savior that is very inspiring and emotionally moving. All these songs are poignant and powerful with earnest, worshipful lyrics.
Best Song on the Record:
I can’t get enough of the stand-out song “I Cannot Outrun Your Grace.” The tender, emotive and powerful vocals take listeners on an emotional journey that gives me goose bumps every time I hear the song. The lyrics are very stirring. "All That is Needed" is a great new worship anthem which I hope I'll be singing with fellow believers. I really love how expressive these songs are. These are all stand-out tracks filled with overwhelming biblical truth, and they are companions in my personal prayer and worship time.
Glorious is sure to be one of the top worship albums of the year. These are an excellent set of songs that focus on asking God to truly inhabit our inner being and allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to sanctify us, relying solely on the love of Jesus to mold our hearts and make us more like Him. Each of these songs are about proclaiming dependence on God throughout this incredible worship experience, which stirs my heart, mind and soul to bow before Jesus, our Savior. The album is designed to be listened to in track order as you’ll go on the journey from the opener “I Cannot Outrun Your Grace” to the closer “Only On Grace I Stand.” These moving and reverent recordings are all prayers and personal confessions of submission to God. These are great songs to pray along with these anointed worship leaders and express your own yearnings for holiness and God’s presence. Glorious is about proclaiming the majesty of God and crying out in awe and wonder for His Presence throughout this incredible worship experience. This album is a must-have for your praise and worship collection.
Grace Upon Grace | Posted February-13-2020 What You Need to Know:
Known for his energetic and worshipful live shows and his recent hit songs, “Hello, My Name Is,” “Broken Things,” “All In,” and “The God Who Stays,” Matthew West returns with a worshipful project Brand New, his first album on Provident Label Group/Sony Music. The very relatable and transparent words of these songs perfectly depict our daily walks as believers wrapped around catchy songs. All the tracks really display the musical and lyrical excellence and intentionality of Matthew West. These are catchy melodies and biblically based lyrics reflecting unashamed faith. Every song on this stellar collection displays Matthew’s heart. I've previously spoken with Matthew about "My Own Little World," "Strong Enough," "Forgiveness," "Do Something," "Day One," “Grace Wins,” "Broken Things" and “Becoming Me” for behind the song devotionals.
What it Sounds Like:
West can really write a hooky and truth-filled chorus, and lead single “The God Who Stays” is catchy, relevant and worshipful like his previous hit songs “Grace Wins” and “Forgiveness.” The song is a great confession of faith. “Brand New” features Matthew’s tender and powerful vocals and takes listeners on an emotional and spiritual journey. Every lyric is sung about faith in our God Almighty, sprinkled in with Matthew’s clever lyrics and earworms including the upbeat and fun songs, “What If,” “Walking Miracles,” and “Love on the Radio.” You’ll enjoy the pop culture references in “The Me You Made.” If you’ve always liked Matthew West, this album will absolutely connect with you.
Spiritual Highlights:
“The God Who Stays” reminds us, “No enemy can separate, No power of hell can take away, Your love for me will never change.” Other spiritual highlights include “Brand New,” “Walking Miracles,” “Truth Be Told” and “Not Today.” The poignant “Looking Up” is a stirring song with a convicting declaration: “I know those eyes are looking up to me, that’s why I’m looking up to You." Like previous West albums, these songs are all filled with spiritual truth. The hope of the Gospel is heard loud and clear. “Grace Upon Grace” ties the album’s theme of God’s never-ending faithfulness and grace that runs through the album together with the hymn-inspired lyrics: “Singing, What can wash away my sin? Make me new again, Nothing but the blood of Jesus, What can make me white as snow? No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”
Best Song on the Record:
I'm really engaged by the emotional vocals and the deep, prayerful lyrics throughout the album, especially the chorus of “Brand New”—“He's making you new, He's making you new, He's healing your heart right where you are, If only you knew, He's lifting your shame, He's changing your name, And when you look back, the only thing that you’ll see is His grace has been making you brand new.” Those prayerful words set the tone for these songs that are filled with the truth of God’s unending grace. “What If” is an upbeat and engaging song in the vein of “Do Something,” and “Day One” which are among my favorite Matthew West songs. I find myself singing the worshipful lyrics throughout the day, “What if today’s the only day I got, I don’t wanna waste it, If it’s my last shot, oh, No regrets in the end, I wanna know I got no what ifs.” The ballad “Grace Upon Grace” is an especially beautiful song. The faith anthem is the cry of my heart, “Wave upon wave of grace upon grace. Endlessly washing my sins away, I know the only reason I can stand here free of all my shame, Is wave upon wave of grace upon grace.” There are several stand-out songs, and my favorite song “The God Who Stays” is a gorgeous offering of praise to the only One who has the power to save. It is a very sing-able song, and I love singing the bridge, “My shame can't separate, My guilt can't separate, My past can't separate, I'm Yours forever.”
With a probing spiritual curiosity and imaginative, self-examining lyrics, this album solidifies West’s place among the finest song crafters of his day. West’s poignant songwriting is coupled with musical excellence as each song urges me to better see God. This album is sure to connect with all listeners who like catchy songs filled with truth and yearning for God. West invites you into his life in such an authentic and relatable way, you’ll feel like you are a lifelong friend after you hear this album. This new album demonstrates once again the passion and energy that have made Matthew West one of Christian music's most compelling artists. True to form, this new project Brand New reflects real life and emotion, from longing and struggle to breakthrough and gratitude, with West’s forthright songwriting and intimate and unmistakable vocals backed by powerful and poignant musical arrangements. It derives its power from the fact that life and music intertwine so fully. These are very passionate songs sung with vocal sincerity and reverence with biblically-based lyrics expressing “Grace Upon Grace.” There are several instantly sing-able and worshipful songs mixed with West’s signature fun and catchy expressions of faith. This album is Matthew West’s best overall, and sure to be one of my top albums of the year.
Worship for His Name | Posted January-23-2020 What You Need to Know:
Let There Be Wonder is the latest live worship album by our generation’s most influential worship leader, Matt Redman, available everywhere January 31st. As the writer and singer of “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord),” “Holy,” “Never Once,” “Blessed Be Your Name,” “Better Is One Day” and “You Never Let Go,” worshippers worldwide have been consistently blessed by Matt’s “Heart of Worship.” This new album is not to be missed with new and fresh Spirit-filled songs for the church. The album is centered on how Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, and every song lifts high the name of Jesus.
What it Sounds Like:
If you’ve always enjoyed Matt Redman’s corporate worship anthems, you’re in for a treat with this album. The exciting opener "The Same Jesus" sets the tone with the upbeat Brit-rock musical arrangement and the crowd clapping along. There's a Hillsong Young & Free vibe, with the stirring lyrics “I know that my Redeemer lives, I know that my Redeemer lives, He’s still keeping all His promises, the same Jesus, the same Jesus!" I really like the call to worship and find myself frequently singing the catchy chorus throughout the day. The song has a great melody, and I would love to sing it with fellow believers.
Spiritual Highlights:
Each song includes tender and powerful vocals and takes listeners on an emotional and spiritual journey with every lyric sung about our faith in Jesus. Every song is completely anointed, Spirit-led and emotionally captivating. A sincere desire to experience the presence of God can be heard in every song. “Let There Be Wonder” is a reminder that our worship of God should not be based on our circumstances and instead is based on who God is. Commit your life to Jesus and offer Him your heart and your life as you sing along with this great song.
I'm really engaged by the emotional vocals and the deep, prayerful lyrics throughout the album. "This is what living looks like, this is what freedom feels like, this is what Heaven sounds like, we praise You, praise You " are the cries of worship in the bridge of the heartfelt and soul-stirring, “We Praise You.” The album also features a stirring version of the song in Spanish, “A Ti Adoramos (We Praise You)” featuring Evan Craft.
“All Praise (Sing Praise)” is a powerful ballad and I love the emotion and biblical truth that Matt brings to the song. The song features Redman’s soothing vocals as he prayerfully sings, “All praise, all praise, see the old life is gone and the new has begun, Your name, Your name always, Jesus You alone deserve all praise.”
Best Song on the Record:
There are several standout songs on the album. Many of the songs are arranged in a very sing-able and catchy style, such as "Upon Him" which is filled with great statements of faith, proclaiming Him as the Lord of our lives: "Christ has died, we are forgiven, and Christ alive, we are arisen, and He shall come again, praise the King, praise the King." "Let There Be Wonder" is yet another great song for the Church, which I hope I'll be singing with fellow believers. The song has a great worshipful chorus with Redman singing "Let there be wonder, let there be worship for Your name, come Holy Spirit, how I need Your fire again, let there be wonder." A song that I can’t get out of my head is "The Same Jesus" so I’ll highlight that song as the must-download track, but you’ll want the whole album.
These great new worship songs really set me in the proper mindset to praise God for loving me so much that He gave His life away for all that was lost. I really enjoy the exciting musical vibe of this album, and the melodies and lyrics are all catchy and biblical. Let There Be Wonder is loaded with great rock beats, catchy melodies, and solid lyrics reflecting unashamed faith in Jesus. Don't miss out on this incredible worship album, one of the best of the year for sure.
Matt Redman provides words of appreciation and adoration of God. Matt’s enthusiastic and reverent style of writing and singing praise and worship songs has consistently been a draw for me. His prayerful sentiments are consistently filled with his personal adoration of God. I've felt that he's improved with each new album and this is my favorite live worship album. It is completely worshipful, in the style of Matt's previous offerings of enthusiastic praise and worship.
These are very passionate worship songs sung with vocal sincerity and reverence with biblically-based lyrics. There are several instantly sing-able and worshipful arrangements that you'll want to add to your Sunday morning set-list. These songs are catchy, exciting and worshipful. Let There Be Wonder is a must-have for your praise and worship collection.
Worship Album of the Year | Posted October-09-2019 What You Need to Know:
Following up their standout worship album There Is More which featured their popular songs "Who You Say I Am" and "So Will I (100 Billion X)," churches and believers around the world celebrate the release of Awake on October 11th. I have consistently been blessed by each album from Hillsong Worship with their staples "Mighty to Save," "Hosanna," "Stronger," "Forever Reign," "Cornerstone," "Hope of the World," "God is Able," "This I Believe (The Creed)," "O Praise the Name (Anástasis)" and "What a Beautiful Name" all being sung at church worship services worldwide and putting the Word of God into the minds, mouths and hearts of Christians everywhere. Don't miss out on this incredible worship album - it is one of the best of the year and my all-time favorite Hillsong Worship album. Once again they have released their newest "best" album. Awake is about proclaiming our dependence on God and crying out in awe and wonder for His presence. Every moment completely focuses me as a listener on joining in praise, worship, and adoration of our beautiful King Jesus.
What it Sounds Like:
If you’ve always enjoyed Hillsong Worship’s corporate worship anthems, you’re in for a treat with this album. It has a great balance of male and female-led vocals and it is chock-full of songs for the Church, and songs for personal reflection and worship. Many of the songs are arranged in a very sing-able and catchy style, such as the gorgeous Brooke Ligertwood-led song "King of Kings," which is filled with great statements of faith, celebrating our King of Kings and Lord of Lords, exclaiming, "Praise the Father/Praise the Son/Praise the Spirit/Three in One/God of glory, Majesty/Praise forever to the King of Kings." You’ll be raising your hands and heart in worship with the gorgeous “Bright As The Sun,” which invites listeners to sing, “Till Your praise is all I have left, I’ll sing of Your love again and again.”
Spiritual Highlights:
Awake is a biblically-inspired standout album. I'm really engaged by the emotional vocals and the deep, prayerful lyrics throughout the album. "Hear the oceans roar/See the skies light up, Every heart now/Sing to the Lord, Hear the rocks cry out/See the mountains bow, Every heart now/Worship the Lord" are the biblical cries of worship in the heartfelt and soul-stirring song "No One But You." "Awake My Soul" and "I Will Praise You" each feature tender and powerful vocals and takes listeners on an emotional and spiritual journey with every lyric sung about faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus. The stark and majestically beautiful songs showcase the group's beautiful ability to provide emotional messages rooted in biblical truth. Each song is a reminder that our worship of God should not be based on our circumstances, but based on who God is. “King of Kings” reminds us of our standing before God. We know what love is because God is love. He showed us His love when Jesus laid down His life for us. The song is filled with great statements of faith, celebrating our freedom in Christ: "By His blood and in His Name/In His freedom I am free/For the love of Jesus Christ/Who has resurrected me."
Best Song on the Record:
There are several standout songs on the album including “Awake My Soul” and “Come Alive.” “See The Light” is an instant classic, and “No One But You” stirs my heart into an immediate state of worship. “I Will Praise You” is biblical and congregational. “Every Breath” is gorgeous and ambient. A song that I can’t get out of my head is “King of Kings” so I’ll highlight that song as the must-download track. But, you’ll want the whole album.
Awake is loaded with several stirring new worship songs that really set me in the proper mindset to praise God for loving me so much that He gave His life away for all that was lost. I really enjoy the exciting and ambient musical vibe of this album, the melodies are catchy, and the lyrics are prayerful. The album is loaded with stellar vocals, catchy melodies and solid lyrics reflecting unashamed faith in Jesus. These are very passionate worship songs sung with vocal sincerity and reverence with biblically inspired lyrics. There are several instantly sing-able and worshipful arrangements that you'll want to add to your Sunday morning set-list.
If you want to experience fresh, biblically inspired and Jesus-focused worship, look no further. The album is a wonderful reminder that there is immeasurably more to our God that we can think or imagine, and this album captures that sentiment. This album is a must-have addition to your worship collection, creating moments of deep connection with Jesus. Without a doubt, each song puts the Word of God into the minds, mouths, and hearts of Christians everywhere. I eagerly await each new Hillsong Worship release, and Awake is a truly stellar offering. Don't miss out on my worship album of the year!
See a Victory! | Posted August-28-2019 What You Need to Know:
Since I first heard their song "Give Me Faith," Elevation Worship has consistently blessed me as a worshiper with their anthems for the church: "Open Up Our Eyes," "O Come to the Altar," “Do it Again,” “Here Again,” “Here Comes Heaven” and "Resurrecting." The band is the worship team of Elevation Church, based out of Charlotte, North Carolina and led by Pastor Steven Furtick. Elevation Worship’s most recent live worship album Hallelujah Here Below was one of my top 10 worship albums of 2018.
What it Sounds Like:
The project features melodic, worshipful songs all focused on singing the truth of God's character and Word into the hearts of listeners. Worship is really about submission, and our roles as worshippers are really defined in this album: to just be amazed and in awe of God. If you are looking for new worship songs to sing with fellow believers, this album is chock-full of congregational songs. Several of Elevation Worship’s songs over the years are accessible worship songs that are deep in meaning and content and this album is no exception.
Spiritual Highlights:
Every song released by Elevation Worship completely focuses me as a listener on joining in praise, worship and adoration of Jesus. Our true joy comes from our relationship with Jesus. The band has consistently impressed me with their mature faith, and a sincere desire for the presence of God and to see His Kingdom on earth is found in every song. Each track is about proclaiming dependence on God, which stirs my heart, mind and soul to bow before Jesus, especially “Gone” which opens with “It wasn’t for nothing that You shed Your blood, So I’m gonna live like my shame is gone!” The beautiful “It is So” sings, “By Your stripes I am healed, with one touch I am made whole, You have spoken and I know that it is so.” You'll be blessed by these powerful songs which are all stand-out anthems with convicting declarations. The message of “With You” is based on several biblical truths including the Zephaniah 3:17 inspired refrain, “There's nowhere I'd rather be, when You're singing over me, I just wanna be here with You.” Elevation Worship has been called to lead songs for the church in very sing-able styles, putting these biblical words of awe and reverence of our King of Kings and Lord of Lords into the minds, mouths and hearts of believers.
Best Song on the Record:
So many people can relate to the messages of these songs. I'm especially moved by the prayerful and empowering song “See a Victory.” The song proclaims my heart's cry to worship Jesus. All of these songs and their dependence on God have perfectly poetic biblical descriptions of God and our identity in Him. “See a Victory” includes the sincere and emotive lyrics of submission in the bridge: “You take what the enemy meant for evil and You turn it for good.” The song has a striking message that stays with you throughout the day. This song is an excellent companion to sing over your life, “I’m gonna see a victory, I'm gonna see a victory, For the battle belongs to You Lord!”
Like their other albums, it is truly a moving and prayerful worship experience. These anointed worship leaders have consistently impressed me with their mature faith and sincere desire to serve Jesus. The truly unstoppable love of Jesus is beautifully expressed in these compelling songs. The Lord calls us to have joy in Him regardless of our circumstances, which these songs celebrate. At Midnight is about proclaiming the majesty of God and crying out in awe and wonder for His Presence. All of the songs are memorable, personal and worshipful. These moving and reverent recordings are poignant songs of adoration. Every song is completely anointed, Spirit-led and emotionally captivating. The standout songs each feature an engaging and emotive musical style while phrasing prayer-filled songs in a creative and personal way, making it one of my top worship albums of the year. I'm really engaged by the emotional vocals and the prayerful lyrics found in these sacred songs. The vertical lyrics will direct your attention to focus on Jesus and “See a Victory!”
Legacy-focused Songs | Posted August-01-2019 What You Need To Know:
This long-awaited tenth studio album, Victorious, has captivated my spirit. Over the past several years, I've had the opportunity to speak with Skillet’s John Cooper about several songs from their prior albums including "Awake and Alive,""One Day Too Late", "Lucy,""American Noise,""Good to Be Alive,"“Stars,”“Lions,”“The Resistance” and “Legendary” - with each discussion we've built on how John’s biblical life verses Romans 8:38-39 have shaped his songwriting. “Legendary” sets the tone for this album. We're all united in our struggles and spiritual warfare, and in our desire for truth and relationship. These songs are prayers for God to teach us to realize that this life isn't forever. Help us to realize what we're living for. What am I wasting my time on? What am I doing with my life? We also need to think about what we are doing for His Kingdom. That's our legacy and the theme of this album, and one of the threads that weaves its way through all twelve of these legacy-focused songs.
What it Sounds Like:
Over the years, it's been a treat for me to watch Skillet's meteoric ascent into one of rock's biggest bands, and the incredible success of their last four albums, Comatose, Awake, Rise, and Unleashed. Each album has reached another level of popularity. Arguably, the bar has been set so high there is a possibility that some people may have unreachable expectations for how much higher Skillet can “Rise.” However, I’m pleased to say that after repeated listens through all twelve tracks in order, I’m all in on these songs. Ear worms including “Legendary,” You Ain’t Ready,” “Victorious,” “Save Me,” “Terrify The Dark,” “Anchor” and the energetic closing track, “Back to Life” keep me coming back for more with an excitement that builds with each listen.
Spiritual Highlights:
The project opens with “Legendary,” which has a celebratory vibe and builds to an exciting refrain that stirs my soul to cry out loudly "Legends made when faith is strong." I'm really engaged by John Cooper’s emotional vocals and the sincere, enthusiastic and thought-provoking lyrics throughout the album. When I first heard "Legendary," I was immediately hooked by the message connected to the themes found in Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, Oh, man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you; But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" That's how we can show the world what we are for instead of what we are against. Be followers of Jesus and make your life count.
“Victorious” is an upbeat, hooky rock song that represents the theme of this uplifting album with the encouraging legacy-focused message, “Don’t want to be forgotten when I’m dead and gone, I just want to be the one who got up and came back strong." These are some of the strongest lyrics I've heard by this talented band, all in an extremely catchy song. John and Jen’s emotive vocals and the exciting musical bed takes me on an emotional journey that causes me to excitedly worship along with the stirring lyrics every time I hear the song.
Best Song on the Record:
All of these songs are poignant and powerful with earnest, worshipful lyrics. “Anchor” features introspective lyrics and a beautiful refrain with John displaying emotive vocals. It is yet another reflective track in the vein of “Stars” and includes another catchy musical vibe and the vertical message, “I’ll never be the same, I can face anything, so let it rain, You are my anchor, So steady me, steady me now.” Long-time Skillet fans will be most excited by the standout tracks, “Legendary,” “You Ain’t Ready,” “Victorious,” “Save Me” and “Back to Life.”
Skillet is back with Victorious, one of my top rock albums of the year in both the Christian and mainstream music markets. The album includes standout recordings like the sing-at-the-top-of-your-lungs anthems “Legendary,”“You Ain’t Ready” and “Save Me” as well as songs with a reflective vibe like “Victorious” and “Anchor.” From my first listen, I wanted to tell others about this great new album. If you’ve always liked Skillet, you'll love this new album. Victorious is one of the catchiest, most energetic and emotionally engaging rock albums I've heard this year.
Sing It Louder! | Posted July-18-2019 What You Need to Know:
Following a three year wait after her album Deeper, it’s exciting to hear new music from Meredith. These versions of “Faith and Wonder” showcase not only Meredith's gifts as a songwriter, but her shimmering, emotion-laden voice. Meredith has consistently impressed me with her mature faith, and a sincere desire for the presence of God and to see His Kingdom on earth is found in every song. Each track on this Faith and Wonder (Alternate Versions) EP is about proclaiming her dependence on God, which stirs my heart, mind and soul to bow before Jesus in “faith and wonder.”
What it Sounds Like:
From the beginning, Meredith Andrews has had a desire to make music that matters, that stretches beyond entertainment and also stretches the parameters of popular worship music. She strives to be a listener first, and then to create music that reflects the Gospel and communicates honest experiences in a fresh and artful way. Meredith slays me with her confessional and prayerful vocal style. Give these versions of “Faith and Wonder” a few deep listens and you'll love them all, including a studio version, a live version, a Spanish version, an orchestral version and an instrumental version. I hang on every single word and the stirring vocals, prayerful lyrics and musical arrangements are breath-taking. This worship anthem captivates me with its honesty and stirring lyrics. The song has quickly become a prayerful anthem in my daily devotional time with the worshipful lyrics, “There is power in the name of Jesus. Sing it louder!”
Spiritual Highlights:
This song takes me to the Throne Room in Heaven. I love how prayers and songs of praise are a communal experience that we can all share. I think the Lord wants us to long for Heaven. When we've been indwelled by The Holy Spirit, we have a personal relationship with the Comforter and a peace that surpasses understanding to know that this fallen world isn't all that we are living for, ultimately. “Faith and Wonder” is a worshipful response to our Savior reflecting the blessed hope of someone who understands the Good News of grace.
“Faith and Wonder” is one of the most spine-tingling female led worship songs I've experienced this year, and these versions are completely anointed, Spirit-led and emotionally captivating. Meredith sings with an amazing passion, with unashamed praise and gratitude to our Savior that is very inspiring and emotionally moving. All of her songs are poignant and powerful with earnest, worshipful lyrics. “Faith and Wonder” is filled with overwhelming biblical truth and these alternate versions are all companions in my personal prayer and worship time. I'm moved by this prayerful song, especially the live version which also features UPPERROOM’s Abbie Simmons and Cody Ray Lee. The song proclaims my heart's cry to worship Jesus. You’ll want to join in and “sing it louder!”
Well Done | Posted May-29-2019 What You Need to Know:
I’ve long enjoyed the hook-filled and emotive songs by The Afters, starting with their 2005 debut “Beautiful Love” and continuing with “Ocean Wide,” “Light Up the Sky,”“Every Good Thing,”“Broken Hallelujah” and “Battles” from their first five albums. In speaking with the band for previous behind the song devotionals, they’ve been sharing their hearts and processing some tough circumstances through their music. Fear No More is their sixth album, and was preceded by the hit song “Well Done” that proclaims, “What will it be like, when I come into Your glory, standing in the presence of a Love so beautiful.” In the vein of “Live on Forever,” these songs help remind us that we weren’t made for this world. As followers of Jesus who have put all of their hope in Christ, we know that eternity in Heaven awaits us when we leave this fallen world and remember, “I will fear no more!”
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 Mat Kearney. This entire project has a Brit-rock tinged vibe. I’m really engaged by the sincere and soothing vocals and the prayerful lyrics throughout the album.
Spiritual Highlights:
The album features the emotionally powerful track “I Will Fear No More,” which is one of the overall highlights. It's message is found throughout scripture and is totally relatable: “You are Greater than the battle raging in my mind. I will trust You, Lord. I will fear no more.”“Lightning” is easily one of my top songs by The Afters with it's upbeat hook and infectious melody. I can’t get enough of the vibe and biblical message of the song, especially the lyrics, “I got that joy down in my heart, I got Your peace inside of me, I got that love filling me up, I got that joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart, lightning, lightning.” Another biblical sentiment is found in “Well Done,” which will have you singing along, “What will it be like when I hear that sound all of heaven's angels crying out, singing holy, holy, holy are You Lord.” That heaven-focused theme can also be heard in “What Home Feels Like.” God has made us new creations in Christ! Another eternally minded sentiment of submission to Him is captured in “Wait” (featuring MercyMe), which sings: “Wait, I can hardly wait, to hear Your sweet voice say, you’ve done well My good and faithful son.”
Best Song on the Record:
“Well Done” speaks to me in my most emotional moments of needing to hear God’s truth sung over me. “Lightning” is the type of song I find myself singing throughout the day, and one of my daily prayers is to ask God to indwell in my family and I with His spiritual gifts. I love the build to the lyrics “Now I'm dancing in the rain since You called out my name, You came like lightning and saved my soul”. Personally, my favorite song is the title track, “I Will Fear No More.” I have adopted the anthem as my daily prayer: “No power can come against me, 'Cause You have overcome, No darkness can overwhelm me, 'Cause You've already won.”
Fear No More is a great collection of confessional and authentic expressions of faith, and yet another "best" album from The Afters. 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 The Afters 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 and it is truly “well done.”
The first time I heard Phil Wickham's song "Grace" from his self-titled major label debut, I was hooked by his enthusiastic and reverent songs, layered with a Brit-rock musical vibe. I've felt that he's improved with each new album and Singalong 4 takes me to another realm of holiness and thirsting for God's presence. Phil Wickham has breathed several new worship anthems into the Church ("You're Beautiful," "Cannons," "Because of Your Love," "At Your Name (Yahweh, Yahweh)," “This is Amazing Grace,” “My All in All,” “Stand in Awe,” “Living Hope”). We sing all of those songs at my church on a regular basis, and if you liked the studio versions of “Living Hope,” “Great Things,” “Anthem” and “Till I Found You,” you’ll love these anointed live recordings.
What it Sounds Like:
"You've been faithful through every storm / You'll be faithful forevermore / You have done great things / And I know You will do it again / For Your promise is "Yes and amen" are the biblical cries of worship in the heartfelt and soul-stirring song "Great Things." You’ll also instantly “singalong” with “Tethered,” “Till I Found You,” “Anthem" and "Living Hope," which features guest vocals from Bethel Music’s Brian and Jenn Johnson. Each song includes tender and powerful vocals and takes listeners on an emotional and spiritual journey with every lyric sung about our faith in Jesus. Every song is completely anointed, Spirit-led and emotionally captivating. A sincere desire to experience the presence of God can be heard in every song, with expressions like “The cross has spoken / I am forgiven / The King of Kings calls me His own / Beautiful Savior / I'm Yours forever / Jesus Christ, my living hope" in the standout instant classic “Living Hope.”
Best Song on the Record:
I’ve been blessed by “Living Hope” since I first heard the song. Each version of the song is better in my opinion, with this one being the most dynamic and exciting yet. The song is a biblically-inspired standout, co-written with Bethel Music’s Brian Johnson, and the lyrics proclaim the cry of my heart. I'm really engaged by the emotional vocals and the deep, prayerful lyrics throughout the album. There are several other standout songs, including a gorgeous medley of “Tremble / What A Beautiful Name” and the worship classic, “Heart of Worship” featuring Matt Redman. If you've always enjoyed Wickham’s corporate worship anthems, you're in for a treat with this album. It has a great balance of upbeat and reflective songs and it is chock-full of songs for the Church as well as songs for personal reflection and worship.
This album provides listeners with songs that proclaim acceptance of God’s love in any circumstance. Singalong 4 provides words of appreciation and adoration of God. Phil’s enthusiastic and reverent style of writing and singing praise and worship songs has consistently been a draw for me. His prayerful sentiments are consistently filled with his personal adoration of God - I've felt that he's improved with each new album and this is my favorite live worship album. It is completely worshipful in the style of Phil's previous offerings of enthusiastic praise and worship, and every single song could be added to your Sunday morning worship set.
All-time Favorite Hillsong UNITED Album | Posted April-25-2019 What You Need to Know:
Following up their standout worship album Wonder, which featured their popular song "So Will I (100 Billion X)," churches and believers around the world celebrate the release of People (Live) on April 26th. I have consistently been blessed by each album from Hillsong UNITED with their staples "Hosanna," "Lead Me To The Cross," "Oceans," "Touch the Sky" and "Scandal of Grace." All of these are being sung at church worship services worldwide and putting the Word of God into the minds, mouths, and hearts of Christians everywhere. Don't miss out on this incredible worship album - it is one of the best of the year and my all-time favorite Hillsong UNITED album. Once again they have released their newest "best" album. People is about proclaiming our dependence on God and crying out in awe and wonder for His presence. Every moment completely focuses me as a listener on joining in praise, worship, and adoration of our beautiful King Jesus.
What it Sounds Like:
If you’ve always enjoyed Hillsong UNITED’s corporate worship anthems, you’re in for a treat with this album. It has a great balance of male and female-led vocals and it is chock-full of songs for the Church, and songs for personal reflection and worship. Many of the songs are arranged in a very sing-able and catchy style, such as the Taya Smith and Aodhan King led “Whole Heart (Hold Me Now)” that is filled with great statements of faith, celebrating our freedom in Christ: "Healed and forgiven, Look where my chains are now, Death has no hold on me, 'Cause Your grace holds that ground and Your grace holds me now." You’ll be raising your hands and heart in worship with the gorgeous “Starts and Ends,” which invites listeners to “lay your burdens down.”
Spiritual Highlights:
“As You Find Me” features lead vocals from UNITED’s Tulele Faletolu, who joins with Taya Smith’s accompanying vocals in a declaration of God’s unrelenting love and grace for all humanity. The stark and majestically beautiful song showcases the group's beautiful ability to provide emotional messages rooted in biblical truth. As a father of three daughters and a chosen son of my Heavenly Father, I can't listen to this gorgeous song without being moved. The picture of God's unconditional love for us after all that we've done wrong is profoundly captured in the chorus: "You love me as You find me.” “Whole Heart (Hold Me Now)” reminds us of our standing before God. We know what love is because God is love. He showed us His love when Jesus laid down His life for us, and He gave us His whole heart. You can make the lyrics of this song your prayer: "Once I was broken, But You loved my whole heart through, Sin has no hold on me, 'Cause Your grace holds me now."
Best Song on the Record:
There are several standout songs on the album including “Starts and Ends” and “Good Grace.” “As You Find Me” is an instant classic, and “Ready or Not” stirs my heart into an immediate state of worship as well as taking it up a notch with the Brit-rock guitar riffs. “Another in the Fire” is biblical and congregational. “Clean” is gorgeously led by Taya Smith. A song that I can’t get out of my head is “Whole Heart (Hold Me Now),” so I’ll highlight that song as the must-download track. But, you’ll want the whole album.
People is loaded with several stirring new worship songs that really set me in the proper mindset to praise God for loving me so much that He gave His life away for all that was lost. I really enjoy the exciting musical vibe of this album, the melodies are catchy, and the lyrics are prayerful. The album is loaded with stellar vocals, catchy melodies and solid lyrics reflecting unashamed faith in Jesus. These are very passionate worship songs sung with vocal sincerity and reverence with biblically inspired lyrics. There are several instantly sing-able and worshipful arrangements that you'll want to add to your Sunday morning set-list. I especially recommend "Ready or Not," “Might Sound Wild,” “Clean,” “As You Find Me,” “Starts and Ends,” “Another in the Fire,” “Good Grace,” and one of my top worship songs of the year, "Whole Heart (Hold Me Now)." I eagerly await each new Hillsong UNITED release, and People is a truly stellar offering of worship. If you want to experience a fresh, biblically-inspired and Jesus focused worship album, look no further. The album is a wonderful reminder that there is immeasurably more to our God that we can think or imagine, and this album captures that sentiment. This album is a must-have addition to your worship collection, creating moments of deep connection with Jesus.
KevinDavis_NRT's Music and Book Reviews 
