Worship Central's new album, "Set apart" is probably one of the strongest worship music releases this year. Not surprising considering the artists on it include Tim Hughes, Ben Cantelon, Luke & Anna Hellebronth and Karen Gillespie!
After their widely acclaimed "Let It Be Known", this one naturally comes with high expectations—can it meet them successfully?
Well, after listening to it a good number of times for over a week, here's what I think:
1. The Way
Tim Hughes opens proclaiming Jesus is the way. While it does have this customary let's-start-with-a-fast-song feel to it, the song does the job. Youth services would especially dig this one!
2. Stand Up
This is one of those songs that lots of people like, but somehow it doesn't work for me as much as his other songs. That said, Luke Hellebronth is certainly a talent to watch out for.
3. Can't Stop Your Love
For me, it's this song that gets the album to hit the high gears—Ben Cantelon gives us a very catchy and singable chorus that's hard to get out of your head once you listen to it 2 or 3 times.
4. Set Apart
If I were to pick one reason to buy this record, undoubtedly it'd be this one! The title track is a gem lyrically and melodically. It just drew me in and blew me away—worship leaders, please add this one to your master song list, it belongs there! Tim smashes it out of the park on this one.
5. Pursue Me
Luke comes back with this mellow prayer to the Father reminding us of the unstoppable love of God—you're not going to skip this one!
6. Awesome is He
Anna Hellebronth is the first rose among the thorns on this album coming in with an uplifting rendition of "Awesome is He"—I didn't really like this song until I heard Anna sing it. A lovely call to worship, can't believe this is the 6th song—should have come in much earlier—love this song now!
7. Worth it All
This is another beauty sung by Ben on the themes of surrendering and joining heaven's song—must have.
8. All That I am
A spontaneous song by Tim continuing from "Worth it All" driving it home that we belong to God.
9. Enough Light
Love the rhythm and groove on this (I always enjoy the toms you see!). Led by Ben declaring the sufficiency of the light of the Lord for us.
10. Let Go
An up-tempo song that's kind of okay—not really the best one on this record.
11. Your Cross Is Enough
Luke leads this anthem declaring the powerful work of the Cross—one of the best songs of the album.
12. Dead Things To Life
Another sweet tune by Ben on how much we need Jesus to raise us to life.
13. Singing Over Us
Nice melody, but lyrically seems a bit all over the place—Karen does an excellent job leading it though.
14. Wide Open Spaces
Another spontaneous song led by Tim—one my favorite moments in this record. This is where everything is stripped away and only worship remains—raw, unarranged, full of heart and beautiful!
Strangely, most of these songs are good enough to stand by themselves, but when put together into one album, they kind of end up sounding the same and that is the only weakness here. Apart from the samesness in music, most of the songs are arranged like this: Verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge sung in low octave-bridge sung in high octave, repeat for maximum effect-end with chorus. After the 5th or 6th song, it begins to sound a bit formulaic. Also, 2 songs lesser would have made for a crispier record.
But make no mistake, this collection of songs is a fine addition to your contemporary worship collection. There are so many usable and accessible songs for worship leaders here that you have to check it out.
And now for the giveaway!
Just leave a comment below, tweet this post or share it on Facebook for a chance to win a free digital download of "Set Apart". Go for it—there'll be 2 winners!
This giveaway is over.
Have you heard "Set Apart"? What do you think about it?
Disclaimer: I received this album for free from Integrity Music to listen and post this review. The views expressed here are completely my own and I am not obliged to write a positive review.
