Sing to the Lord a NewSong
Posted March 06, 2015
By KevinDavis_NRT, Staff Reviewer
Nobody does tours like NewSong. When the group introduced its annual "Winter Jam Tour Spectacular" in 1995, NewSong started to change the public face of Christian music. The mega-event on wheels has become one of the Gospel music world's biggest annual tours, with some history-making moments along the way. To this day, NewSong's multi-artist, ticketless concerts give thousands the opportunity not only to hear incredible music but, of course, to also hear the Gospel message.
Known for their live shows, NewSong has delivered their first live worship album in ten years, Faithful (Live), an intimate recording focusing on their acoustic concerts captured in the round. This collection brought the band back to the heart of what they do, leading people in worship.
“Angels” is inspired by 1 Peter 1:12 and was written by NewSong’s Eddie Carswell and Seth Mosley. “The whole idea that there are things angels long to see and know that God shows to us,” Carswell explains, “that He loves us to the point of coming to us because we couldn’t get to Him, it was just an exciting concept to try to write about.”
The song features Russ Lee’s tender and powerful vocals and takes listeners on an emotional and spiritual journey with every lyric sung about faith in our God Almighty, our Lord and Savior, Jesus. The bridge of “Angels” is very stirring and convicting. I'm really engaged by the emotional vocals and the deep, prayerful lyrics throughout the album.
The standout track for me personally is title track “Faithful,” featuring Russ Lee and co-written with All Sons and Daughters. The song is an upbeat worship declaration in the style of "Psalm 40" sung with a stirring passion and filled with prayerful lyrics. This is an incredible song for the Church. You'll worship our King Jesus right along with Russ, in particular the proclamation in the bridge: “When the whole earth shakes and the mountains quake, I won't be afraid because You are faithful, Falling on my knees, still You’re holding me.”
Other ‘new song’ highlights include “Hallelujah (Bride in White),” co-written with Elias Dummer of The City Harmonic with an open invitation to sing hallelujah and “Keep Me Close,” a soaring prayer of surrender, co-written by Matthew West.
Matt Butler sings a worshipful rendition of Hillsong’s “This I Believe (The Creed)” which features tender and powerful vocals and takes listeners on an emotional and spiritual journey with every lyric sung about faith in our God Almighty, our Lord and Savior, Jesus. The chorus is very stirring and convicting: "I believe in God our Father, I believe in Christ the Son... I believe in the resurrection, that we will rise again, I believe in the name of Jesus." The song is a great call to worship, and is a fresh offering of praise for the Church.
NewSong’s cover of Desperation Band’s “Make a Way” is a gorgeous offering of praise to the only One who has power to save. It is a very sing-able song for the Church, and I love singing about how Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no one comes to Father except through Him. That’s cause to stir your heart to sing at the top of your lungs, “Jesus, it’s always been You, Jesus, It always will be You.”
The beauty and majesty of our King Jesus is reverently captured throughout the album with anthem after anthem, including “This Beating Heart,” “Yours,” “Always” and “Give Me Faith."
Closing Thoughts:
Like NewSong’s last live worship album, Rescue, which featured a mix of a couple of original tracks and mostly worship covers, including “Arise My Love,” “Blessed Be Your Name” and “Rescue,” this album is a wonderful return and offers a more balanced mix of originals and fresh new renditions of songs for the Church. 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. I especially recommend “Hallelujah (Bride in White),” “This Beating Heart,” “Keep Me Close,” “Yours,” “Always,” “Rock of Ages” and one of my top worship songs of the year, "Faithful." All of the songs are catchy, exciting and worshipful. Faithful is a must-have for your praise and worship collection providing multiple ways to “sing to the Lord a new song.”
Song to download now:
“Faithful”
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