In the past few years, contemporary worship music has been consumed with the so called “Hillsong” sound. With ethereal synths and killer guitar licks, this style is sure to get you pumped up for Jesus. However, due to its popularity with internationally renowned worship teams like Hillsong Worship and Bethel Music, everyone is adopting this atmospheric sound, and quite frankly I'm tired of it. The ethereal, washy sound is starting to lose its appeal because it is being overused. Along with that, it seems that Christian songwriters have forgotten how to write lyrics, leaving us with a verse or two and a chorus to repeat on end. To be fair, there are a lot of songs in this style that I love, I'm simply saying that we can do more. Should we resort back to the hymns of our parents and grandparents? Maybe. But really we just need to push for more creativity in the worship genre and recognize and support those who are creating authentic fresh worship songs. That being said, here are five bands/artists that are already doing so.
1. Sojourn
This Louisville-based band redefines the rules for praise bands. Sojourn Community Church's worship team has recorded nine albums that all have a unique feel to them. Their songs range from jazz to bluegrass to gospel and everywhere in between.
2. Kings Kaleidoscope
Originally the worship team for Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA, this 10-piece band continues to push the boundaries of contemporary worship music, while paying homage to older hymns such as "Come Thou Fount" and "Be Thou My Vision". The title of the song below "Felix Culpa " is a Latin phrase that translates "fortunate fall," meaning that if Adam had not sinned we would never know the beauty of God's redemption.
3. Jimmy Needham
Jimmy started off with simply his voice and his guitar, but in the past few years, he has put out several albums full of his renditions of his favorite hymns.
4. United Pursuit
Formed in 2006, this Knoxville, Tennessee worship band only has two albums, both of which are live albums. Coinciding with their name this band is in a united pursuit of creating new meaningful music.
5. The Sing Team
With haunting melodies and the simplicity of acoustic instruments, The Sing Team is sure to catch your ear and stir your soul. A part of Mars Hill Music, The Sing Team loves to write songs inspired by Psalms. This song was inspired by Psalm 42:
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:5 NIV
I hope you enjoyed some of these songs, and I encourage you to listen to more music by these bands. Also, I hope this will expand your definition of worship music, and that you too will support all types of different worship artists who all have the same goal, worshiping our God.
