Freedom In Worship Posted June 09, 2022 By JasminPatterson_NRT, Staff Reviewer
What You Need to Know
Jesus Culture worship leaders, Bryan and Katie Torwalt, have released their first-ever live recorded album, I've Got Good News (Live). The album explores themes of what the good news of Jesus looks like in our lives today. "Miracle In The Works" resonated on Christian radio, reaching the No. 1 position on Air1. The Torwalts have also released live videos on their YouTube channel for each song on the album.
Cody Carnes and Brock Human are featured songwriters and vocalists on "Simple Kingdom" and "Hallelujah On My Knees," respectively. Chandler Moore and Naomi Raine of Maverick City Music are also writers on the album.
What It Sounds Like
There's something so refreshing about believers gathered in a room singing their hearts out to Jesus. I've Got Good News (Live) captures the raw passion, infectious energy, and communal encounter with God's presence that happens in an environment like that. Throughout the album, you can hear the voices of the intimate crowd singing along with Bryan and Katie to these songs as live instruments support and set the atmosphere of worship.
The Torwalts lead worship with authority, boldness, and incredible vocal strength. Even still, you can tell Jesus is the focus and the goal is to empower His people in worship to God. My favorite moments on this record are the spontaneous ones where they just leave space and encourage the room to sing their own song. Listening to this album is a masterclass in how to lead worship with a balance of humility and confidence that frees others to bring their worship to Jesus uninhibited.
Spiritual Highlights
The album's overall tone is grateful, hopeful, and full of faith--even when singing prayers and praises for the tough moments in life ("Hallelujah On My Knees"). I'm amazed how many declarative songs are on the album, each boldly proclaiming God's character and promises. And what He wants to do in our lives ("Sound Mind," "Wouldn't It Be Like You").
Best Song
I'm going to highlight "Be Unto Me" as the album's best song. The verse lyrics quote the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. Overall, the song is a prayer of adoration, surrender, and devotion to God. It captures the cry of a heart that wants to live a life that praises God. A song that lives in the promises of His Word. And it has a free worship moment towards the end that is pure gold.
I've Got Good News (Live) is more than just a worship album, it's a worship experience. And if you'll lean in, it will stretch you to new places of growth as a worshipper where you can gain confidence lifting your own voice to God and declaring His Word with boldness as you worship.
