HILLSONG UNITED : Zion. (Hillsong : HMACD275)
This is Hillsong United’s third studio album, following the rather indifferent release of ‘Aftermath’ in 2011. This time, the sound and concept of the album has changed dramatically and that results in one glorious release. The opening ‘Relentless’ has a great electronic sound to it, and the song is really moving, as the lyrics describe God’s love as being ‘relentless’. ‘Up In Arms’ is mature pop, whilst ‘Oceans’ has a more intimate quality, where the female vocalist leads sensitively until the song explodes with the power of the Holy Spirit. I very much liked the atmospheric ‘Mercy Mercy’, complete with its, practically, monotone vocal. The album flourishes throughout, and ‘Love Is War’ is one of those songs that simply washes over you as you focus on God, completely. The title track is an instrumental, and I’d love to see a choreographed dance set to it. On it’s own, it’s truly powerful, but I feel that there’s even more that it could offer. If you think that you know what to expect from a Hillsong album, then think again. This is a huge step forward in praise and worship, which concludes in the epic (in a Coldplay sort of way) ‘King of Heaven’. A wonderful album. 10/10.
Never for Nothing 