A Solid Worship Surprise| Posted September 08, 2014
With their sophomore release, Summit FutureNow gives us a little gem of an EP with The Now and The Not Yet. Never having heard of The Summit Church in Raleigh/Durham before (I'm Canadian), I was pleasantly surprised by the album.
Worship EPs are usually kind of like an all-in-one worship set for the busy Christian. Five songs, consistent theme, one Jesus. This worship set is a little different though. If I had to classify the type of music, it would be EDM. Each track contains several electronic elements, pulsating rhythms and vocal effects. It could be a worship set, or the soundtrack to your next five kilometer race.
The title track "The Now and The Not Yet" speaks of the hope of Heaven, but also of the fact that as we anxiously await our coming King, "we can praise Your name in between the now and the not yet." A "United" church is something I desperately pray for, and this song speaks how we are all united by the Blood of Jesus as one Church. In this song we get a special treat with a rap verse. It is well done, and fits well with the persistent bass line of the song.
"Magnificent" slows the tempo a little and does not have quite as strong an electronic feel as the first two tracks. It is beautiful worship song that plainly speaks of the magnificence of God.
Things get going again with "You Never Let Us Go." A great promise of God is that He will never leave us nor forsake us. This song takes this promise and proclaims it. To know that the Creator of the Universe loves us and will never leave us is the greatest promise that we have. It is from this promise that we can also claim that nothing is impossible.
A shout of "Hallelujah" ends the album. I cannot think of a more fitting end to a worship set than to sing Hallelujah. The electronic feel of the first two tracks returns for the finale, rounding out the album nicely.
Closing Thoughts:
This was a pleasant surprise. Not being a huge fan of EDM or studio recorded worship albums, the gang at Summit FutureNow have somewhat chipped away at that dislike and have shown me that when something is done well it must be recognized. Well done, gang. I look forward to the next one.
Song to Download Now:
"United" (Get it on iTunes here.)