New and Nostalgic Posted October 27, 2023 By JasminPatterson_NRT, Staff Reviewer
What You Need to Know
GRAMMY award-winning worship artist Brooke Ligertwood has released EIGHT, her sophomore album, and follow-up to 2022's SEVEN (Live). EIGHT is a compilation of new versions of well-known worship songs ("Desert Song," "I Will Exalt," "King of Kings") that Brooke has co-written and led during her tenure as a worship leader. The compilation also includes new songs of worship and prayer for the Church. The album features collaborations with contemporary artists Martin Smith ("Lead Me To The Cross") and John Wilds ("Authority.")
What It Sounds Like
I was hooked from the very first note of EIGHT, and I think you will be, too. It's like you can sense the presence of God as soon as the album starts to play. Top to bottom, EIGHT is a refreshingly pure and sincere worship album. Brooke's voice, joined by God's people and instruments, lifts worship to our King.
I sincerely appreciate the intentional moments taken to linger in God's presence and leave room for spontaneity. I admit I have a soft spot for those moments on worship albums. I believe it's vital for every Christian to learn how to sing songs of praise to God that are "off-book" and unique to the heart and voice of each worshipper. There's something so freeing and beautiful about that. Brooke and her guest artists model this so well; they are some of the best moments on the album.
Spiritual Highlights
There's a wide range of lyrical themes on EIGHT. The project contains songs about praising God through trials ("Desert Song"), the authority of Jesus' name ("Authority"), the majesty of Jesus ("King of Kings"), surrender ("Lead Me To The Cross"), and more. "Fear of God" and "Soon" are particularly special because they are about the return of Jesus. I love when worship songwriters bring an aspect of theology into their songs that is less emphasized in the Church, and I love that Brooke went for it with these two songs.
"Fear of God" goes: "Hold to what lasts/And keep your lamp lit/Standing in the knowledge of this/The fear of God will keep us/The fеar of God will keep us/ In the blink of an eye and a flash of light/Thе trumpet sounds and the dead will rise/The mortal clothed immortal in His name/Lift up your voice if you've been saved/By the blood of the lamb who forever will reign"
Best Song
I'm giving the best song to "Bless God" and "Every Chance I Get." The two songs are a pair, praising the name of God in every moment--morning or evening, season of blessing or trial, no matter what. It reminds me of Psalm 92:1-2: "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening."
As I mentioned, if you want me to love your worship album, put a spontaneous moment on it. The simple, repeated chorus in "Every Chance I Get" ("I'll bless Your name in the morning/I'll bless Your name in the evening/Every chance I get I'll bless Your name") is my favorite moment on the album.
Final Word
Brooke Ligertwood has always been my favorite songwriter, worship leader, and personal inspiration. Listening to EIGHT, I experienced newness and nostalgia. I rediscovered my connection with Jesus through new recordings of significant worship songs in the early days of my walk with Him, taking me back to that special place. At the same time, I felt immense gratitude for the new life God breathed into worship songs through Brooke's songwriting.
