Bethel Music "We Must Respond" Album Review

Prime Cuts: Holy Song (featuring Brooke Ligertwood), He Has Done Great Things (featuring Brian Johnson), The Church (featuring Jenn Johnson)

Overall Grade: 4.5/5

After a couple of mediocre releases, Bethel Music is back with an album that will deserve a response. "We Must Respond" is an action-packed record! Featuring the who's who of Bethel Music, from Brian and Jenn Johnson to Hannah McClure to Josh Baldwin, performing their latest works, the record boasts 18 cuts, with a running time of 2 hours and 5 minutes. "We Must Respond" is easily the church band's biggest album. As if this is not enough, the team has also enlisted the help of guest vocalists Brooke Ligertwood, Abbie Gamboa, and Aodhán King.

The songs on this album are more congregational, catchy, and, as the titular suggests, challenging. Instantaneous favorites include the Brooke Ligertwood-led "Holy." Framed by a hymn-like chorus, "Holy" has a majestic awe centered around God's sovereignty that is infectious. "He Has Done Great Things" spotlights its simplicity: a no-frills song --- with no bridge or added coda --- that shows that less sometimes is more. To round off the trinity of A+ cuts is "The Church." Though many songs sing about the unity of God's people, "The Church's" focal point is on the triune God. God is the one who builds and perfects his church.

Album opener "The Lamb (Alleluia)," led by John Wilds, is a stately pop anthem weaved with swirls of the well-known hymn "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today." Jenn Johnson and Josh Baldwin join forces to give a roaring version of "Made from More" (released previously by Josh Baldwin). Co-written by an A-league team of Phil Wickham, Jason Ingram, Brian Johnson, and David Funk, "Praise Chorus" is spiritual warfare at its fiery best.

Though upbeat anthems are the backbone of the record, a couple of ballads deserve to be mentioned. Aodhan King joins Hannah McClure on the folkish-pop "My Hallelujah." Passionately executed, accompanied by hushed backup sighing and gently plucked guitars, "My Hallelujah" is a treat. Not to be missed is David Funk-led "Another Like You." This tender ballad takes the time to revel in God's goodness, climaxing with an explosive bridge: Worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the King/Worthy is the One who reigns forever/Seated on the throne, high above it all/Everyone will know You're like no other. Though the album sounds too long and a few songs can be left off the canon, "We Must Respond" finds Bethel Music return to form.

 

 

Tags : Bethel Music "We Must Respond" Album Review bethel music brian johnson Josh Baldwin jenn johnson Aodhán King Abbie Gamboa brooke ligertwood David Funk John Wilds