Hillsong Worship's Newest Album Awake: Review

With 2 billion career streams, over 20 million career album sales, and music sung by an estimated 50 million people worldwide every week, Hillsong Worship returns to the studio to deliver their newest album Awake.

Hillsong Worship represents the sound of Hillsong Church, whose main campus is based in Australia. Awake is meant to complete “the picture Hillsong Church has prophesied to the greater Church this year as senior pastors Brian and Bobbie Houston declared ‘revival is in the air.’”

Featuring the vocals of Brooke Ligertwood, Joel Houston, Taya Smith, and Aodhan King, the 12-track album is the centerpiece of Hillsong Worship’s fall 2019 arena tour with Casting Crowns and Elevation Worship.

They teased the album earlier this summer with the release of the first single “King of Kings,” which is still climbing the charts. Brooke Ligertwood’s ethereal voice carries the first part of the stirring melody which quickly evolves into a driving corporate worship anthem.

The team deliberately leaves enough space throughout songs to inspire spontaneous worship for the individual listener or for church worship teams in their services.

Several of the songs offer tried and true Hillsong musical structure, which are generally easy for listeners to sing along with. “Come Alive” has a challenging rhythm, yet successfully serves as a lyrical rallying cry. A favorite is the contemplative “Upper Room,” which encourages time for personal reflection before the set ends. It is almost a certainty that songs from this album will be incorporated in worship services across the globe.

Awake has a release date of October 11, 2019.