Hillsong - This Is Our God

Producer:  Joel Houston, Andrew Crawford & Rueben Morgan
Record Label:  Integrity Music
Website:  http://www2.hillsong.com

The newest of 17 live releases from Hillsong, This is Our God, is one that deserves our attention. After so many trend setting worship albums, Hillsong had sort of settled into a lull of predictability for me, but this one is different. Darlene Zsechech, Reuben Morgan, Joel Houston and Marty Sampson along with a number of new songwriters, worship leaders and musicians display the impressive breadth of the Hillsong worship team. Don’t get me wrong, the music is still obviously Hillsong, with it’s driving tunes, anthem like worship and more than one song that is likely to make it rounds around the worship world. The difference comes in the use of all their available assets. I don’t recall an album so shared among the various leaders. I appreciate the diversity of the tracks. The songs seem stronger than the last couple of records, and I think the mix has even been altered to showcase lyrics and vocals rather than the heavily guitar driven worship.

“Your Name High” kicks off the record with a war cry like chorus, and immediately gets your attention. This same chorus is echoed after the last track on the album, and seems like a bookend for the project. There are 16 tracks, which in some cases can seem too long, but in this case left me still wanting more. “Healer,” as made popular by PlanetShakers and written by Michael Guglielmucci who has been battling cancer for two years is included on this disc. “Healer” is one of the most powerful moments on the project, as Michael sings his song while hooked up to an oxygen tank! You can see the moving video on Youtube. However, this is not the only moving moment. Songs like “Stronger”, “You Are Here”, and “With Everything” motivate us toward faith. “Across the Earth” and “Run” are rockin’, and “Desert Song” is worth a mention with it’s unique melody. The hymn “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus” is a great touch, bringing the old and new together. In fact, this record feels a little like a bridge with the use of the various leaders, and it makes me wonder where Hillsong is headed next.  The overall atmosphere this CD creates even seems different from the past few efforts from Hillsong.  It’s as if they have gone to a new level, and that really comes through. If you’ve been ignoring Hillsong for a few years, it’s time to take a second listen.

Purchase This Is Our God.

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