The new album by Jesus Culture is just brilliant

I am in love with this album, full of inspiration. Well done!

Anyone tracking the evolution of worship music over the last few years cannot have missed the huge contribution that Jesus Culture has made since their first release back in 2006. Originally springing from the youth ministry at Bethel Church in Redding, California, Jesus Culture has existed as a church since 2014, releasing an enormous amount of music under both the Jesus Culture name and from individual artists. A quick look at their YouTube channel shows stats of almost 147 million views to-date! The video trailer for this latest collection, 'Living With A Fire', overviews the journey Jesus Culture has recorded through the years and focuses on still living with the flame of faith burning brightly. Lyrically the songs centre around the wonder of what Jesus has done, how his power is made perfect by working in weak people. Kim Walker-Smith's powerful lead on "Not Afraid" is particularly moving as she declares with confidence that "My God will make a way, so I am not afraid". "How Amazing" wonders at why Jesus would go to such lengths to free us from the weight of sin, marvelling at "Where I saw death, there You saw life and You ran to my rescue", and in "For No Other Reason", Chris Quilala reflects on the words from Psalm 27, "Just to see you, to look upon your beauty, I live for this one thing". Sonically flawless, expertly performed and with no lack of anthems. 8/10

On first listen to this latest album I felt a bit like, haven't we heard this before? That was my initial reaction. Yet as with any good album you really need to spend time digging into it. When Jesus Culture first burst onto the scene it felt like they had something new and fresh about them. Something that grabbed your attention, it was like an x factor moment. Yet over time, and probably for many reasons, they have fallen into producing similar style albums musically. Of course, still big powerful God centered albums, but musically similar and tempo wise very middle of the road. Yet it’s these kind of albums you need to give time and space to really appreciate as there is so much going on. What can start as a subtle acoustic worship song can suddenly out of nowhere turn into an out of this world praise anthem. With Jesus Culture the tempo might feel similar but the experience is something else. For all my initial comments, when I started to get into the album I was swept in a wave of praise. The vocals on 'Not Afraid' are as you would expect, powerful and affirming. This album takes you on a journey. Jesus Culture and their songs always have taken you on journeys, but what they also do so well is create these fist pumping choruses with catchy melodies and harmonies that work in a large gathering or a small intimate worship group. You can’t deny how amazing the vocals are on a Jesus Culture album. And this album doesn’t disappoint. 'Centre of Your Love' goes on a very special journey and at 9 minutes long is a lot to take in, but it’s an amazing song. 'Freedom' is a Coldplay song in disguise. Not a negative comment, but it is a Coldplay song in disguise! Fans of Jesus Culture will love this, they will take it, love it, enjoy it and use in their own time of worship. There are some top songs on here. That’s what Jesus Culture do best, big songs that take the listener to God. These are not quick fix pop songs, these are songs that need investing in. 4/5

There are a few tracks on here, that guide me into the presence of His Glory and that's what I am looking for in a CD.