Review: People by Hillsong United

In an age of discord, where the news is filled with stories of fractured relationships, broken promises and lack of trust, Hillsong United want to offer an alternative worldview: unity.

Yes, it’s in their name. But it’s also in the title of their new live album, ‘People’.

People: plural: A collective, a grouping.

As they bring the congregation together in celebration of all that God has done, that’s exactly what they’re encouraging: togetherness.

‘As You Find Me’ is a powerful reminder that God doesn’t expect anything more than an open heart and a willingness to follow. That he loves us exactly as we are, just as he found us.

‘If You want my heart
I won't second guess
‘Cause I need Your love
More than anything
I'm in
I'm Yours’

The image of this God who calls us to surrender but loves us regardless of our flaws continues in the uplifting and emotive, ‘Whole Heart’:

‘Once I was broken
But You loved my whole heart through
Sin has no hold on me
‘Cause Your grace holds me now’

As the refrain rises, the congregation is encouraged to lift their arms in praise, affirming, as they stand as one body of Christ, that they need God.

Then the real message of unity is felt in ‘Good Grace’ from the opening lines:

‘People come together
Strange as neighbours
Our blood is one’

It’s a compelling call to arms to come together as one Church, to take courage, to hold on, to be strong and remember where help comes from.

Throughout the entirety of ‘People’, this is a desire for everyone to experience unity through worship: unity as a Church and as a people. Yes, people are flawed, but it's for people that Jesus came.

On this album, more than any other, the group show what it looks like to be United.

People is due for release on 26th April and is available to preorder now.