Known for leading thousands in corporate worship with powerful vocals, Gretzinger's latest project sheds light on her vulnerable, less-visible side. With songs for the "in-between moments in life" that often shape us, Blackout heralds the message that even when circumstances bend towards chaos, light that shines from the inside out cannot be dimmed.
"It's about being able to joyfully dance as tears stream down your face, knowing that life comes through learning to grieve and celebrate at the same time," said Gretzinger.
The title track was born out of a place of self-discovery for Gretzinger. Navigating, each moment as choice to be vulnerable and present, "Blackout" gives an image to the light that penetrates the dark.
"You can't turn out a light shining from the inside. We're living in a blackout. The day is dark, but the light shines the brightest in the darkness. If there was ever a time for us to shine, it's now. If we're really going to be The Light Of The World, we have to know who we are in God," shared Gretzinger. "It is possible to learn to dance while the tears stream down our faces, to stay connected to the One who made us. If we understand that we are made of light, then we can't be threatened with darkness."
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Light That Can't Be Dimmed| Posted March 29, 2018
Following up her stellar worship offering Undone, which was one of my top 10 worship albums of 2014, Bethel Music's Steffany Gretzinger returns with Blackout on Good Friday, 2018. On last year's Starlight by Bethel Music, you can hear Steffany singing on "King of My Heart" and "Extravagant." Keeping that momentum going, this album also features an empowering theme of the Lord reigning in our hearts and shining like a city on a hill in song after song.
What it Sounds Like: Blackout is best described as an intimate personal worship experience with an ethereal tone. If you enjoy After All These Years by Brian and Jenn Johnson, Where His Light Was by Kristene DiMarco and Brave New World by Amanda Cook, this album is an excellent addition to your praise and worship collection.
Spiritual Highlights:
Steffany 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 is about proclaiming her dependence on God, 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 with Steffany, from the opener "Save Me," with the confession "I tried to be the hero for a day / But all my super powers failed to save / So I turned in my ego and my cape," to the closer "Blackout," with the declaration "In a blackout / We will illuminate the dark / They won't escape the beaming / We will glimmer, we will glow." I am moved by the reminders that we can't save ourselves, and once we are redeemed by Jesus, we shine light that can't be dimmed. Let your light shine and "illuminate the dark."
Best Song on the Record:
I can't get enough of "Save Me," which sets the tone for the entire worship experience with the beautiful declaration of dependence on God's provision in our lives: "It all starts with breathing You in / Breathing You in Deeply / I've been drowning under my skin / No one but You can save me." I get swept up in the vertical praise and worship to our Savior.
Final Word: Blackout 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. Steffany's powerful and gorgeous vocals keep me hanging on every word she sings. The standout songs each feature an engaging and emotive musical style while phrasing her prayer-filled songs in a creative and personal way, making it one of my top worship albums of the year.
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