Forever Reign CD/DVD CD

TRACK 1: GOD IS ABLE - The title track of Hillsong’s Live Album for 2011, this is a song that typifies the modern Hillsong genre - strong drums come and go, building climaxes and leaving interludes for piano and string parts to lead. In this particular version there is apt use of a tambourine.

TRACK 2: HALLELUJAH - A quieter song in which congregational singing takes centre stage with the words ‘Hallelujah, our God reigns’. Again, instruments join in and a climax threatens, but then the song returns to the stripped-back way in which it started, which makes for good listening.

TRACK 3: RHYTHEMS OF GRACE - The third song on this ‘unplugged’ CD, Rhythms of Grace is a track that excites the listener with a driving 6/8 time signature and great harmonies as the male and female vocals entwine. Listen out for some more abstract instruments!

TRACK 4: YOU - ‘So I lay me down, for Kingdom come’ the band sing in a song that has an interesting old-school feel. The worship music of pre ‘stadium-rock’ days is revived in this track.

TRACK 5: CORNERSTONE - The title track of Hillsong’s Live album for 2012, they are obviously keen to give it as much airtime as possible. Reuben Morgan talks about how the song came about following the Anders Breivik massacre - he co-wrote the song Eric Liljero (of Hillsong, Stockholm) and Jonas Myrin with lyrics taken from the hymn ‘My Hope is Built on Nothing Less’ (On Christ the Solid Rock).

TRACK 6: IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL - This rendition of ‘It is Well’ captures a great fusion between modern and older music, highlighting the enduring value of this song to the church for worship. Furthermore, Hillsong have written a chorus of their own.

TRACK 7: FOREVER REIGN - Even in this small setting, this song sounds anthemic. The verses are strongly supported by the band, but in the chorus (the best bit, in my opinion) space is left for the congregation to sing/shout/scream ‘oh I’m running to your arms, I’m running to your arms, the riches of you love will always be enough, nothing compares to your embrace, light of the world forever reigns!’ This song was a hit at Soul Survivor and Momentum 2012.

TRACK 8: DESERT SONG - This song, another Hillsong favourite in recent years, is slowed down in this version. This approach serves to accentuate the haunting female vocals that declare God’s enduring faithfulness even through the ‘desert’.

TRACK 9: HIS GLORY APPEARS - This is a song very tenderly sung. With harmonies and a light piano part, the Hillsong band join the congregation in singing of God’s grace. ‘...look to the sky, hear the angel’s cry, singing holy is the Lord’.

TRACK 10: THE LOST ARE FOUND - Again featuring a prominent piano part, the music seems to rumble in the background as the band and congregation sing at a similar level. I’m astounded by the adeptness of the congregation on this live recording - perhaps they were handpicked, each worship leaders themselves!

TRACK 11: BEAUTIFUL EXCHANGE - Another title track, this time from Hillsong’s Live album of 2010, this track speaks of Jesus taking our place on the cross, being punished for our sin. ‘You gave your life in a beautiful exchange, when only love could break these chains, you gave your life in a beautiful exchange’.

TRACK 12: WITH EVERYTHING - No modern worship album seems complete without a worship leader leading the congregation in a ‘wo-oh’ song. These ‘wo-oh’s are not difficult to grasp, and the band make an interesting choice - to include an organ.

CONCLUSION: While you may get the feeling that Hillsong is recycling tracks, this is perhaps their most adventurous album yet. Different takes on songs, a quieter band, and an abstract selection of instruments are all present. Definitely worth a listen, whether you are a Hillsong fan exploring their varying musical spectrum, someone new to Hillsong, or someone who has previously disliked music from Hillsong. This is something a bit different.