Worship Review // Hillsong United // Zion Acoustic Sessions

Artist: Hillsong United
Album: Zion Acoustic Sessions (Live)
Label: Hillsong Church
Release: 10.29.13

I have been a fan of Hillsong for as long as I can remember. Year after year they have produced music that has connected to and impacted Christians, like myself, in every walk of life. Their release of Zion in early spring 2013 was no different, as it quickly became their most successful album yet. What sets Zion apart from their previous releases, in my opinion, is it’s deep centeredness on the One who is deserving of such praise. The lyrics and composition of the songs are intricate, scripturally based, and point straight to Christ. It is there where we find powerful and passionate worship music. The release of Zion Acoustic Sessions is a much different take on the original work. The songs are raw, broken down, and personal. Recorded in a small coffee house in Sydney, Australia, the band made a point to not emphasize any one particular member of the team but instead worship together as one body of believers. This was a great move in my opinion, as all the glory is pointed straight to the King, and is a great reminder of what we as worship leaders should strive to do as well.

Relentless// This bright, joyful, and upbeat track provides a doorway to what the album is all about, God’s love. If you watch the music video from their recording, you can see the body of believers crying out, all with smiles on their faces, singing, “your love is relentless!” Although the fast pace of this song may be difficult to execute for a large band, it can always be stripped down to a beat and the simple chorus, as the band does fading out at the end of the song.

Up in Arms// The mood in the room has shifted at the start of the second track. Although its theme is similar to that in Relentless, it is a much more personal confession of the same truth. I love the end of the chorus, “The cross my reminder, your love is forever.” The image of Jesus, arms stretched out wide on the cross, because he loves us that much, is incredibly powerful. The song itself is pretty simple to play, and sounds great with any combination of drums, keys, and guitar.

Scandal of Grace// I like to call this song the underdog of the album, often overshadowed by their top-selling track Oceans (Where Feet May Fail). This track brings forth some of the most powerful lyrics I have ever heard. I can remember the first time I intentionally listened to this song with both my heart and my mind. The second verse hit me hard. “Death, where is your sting? Your power is as dead as my sin. The cross has taught me to live, in mercy my heart now to sing.” It is such a mind-boggling paradox, that an instrument of the most painful and gruesome persecution teaches us what it truly means to have abundant life. To truly live is to die to ourselves so that Christ may be magnified in our lives; as Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” This is our call, as the chorus says, to become more like Him and to give everything we have just to know him. Any time I have the opportunity to lead worship I am always immediately drawn to share this song, and the truth behind it, with as many people as I can. The song is simple and incredible easy to play for guitar, and sounds great with any additional instruments. This song is very easy to work with regardless of your band size, and very easy to learn for the congregation.

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)// Chances are, if you have been staying updated on the latest worship songs, you’re familiar with Oceans. I’ve seen this song spread like wildfire across churches, even across countries, since its release in early spring 2013. I love the way they retold this song in this acoustic session, and not only does it make it much easier to execute for smaller bands, but it is so much more personal. As I listen to this song more and more, I find that it becomes much more than a song, it is a prayer. “Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders,” is a powerful, and bold statement. May we encourage the ones we are leading in worship to make that a prayer in their lives as well. Drop out some of the louder instruments during the bridge, quiet it down to just voices, sing the bridge over and over for an hour if you need to. May we earnestly seek to abandon all our fears and doubts and be led by the Spirit, may we walk upon the waters wherever He would call us.

Stay and Wait// Compared to the previous version of the song on the original album, the acoustic version is much more applicable to those wanting to play it in a congregational worship setting. I really like the way they tone down the instruments and focus on the voices, taking spotlight off any one particular member and instead uniting as a body of believers.

Mercy Mercy// I find this a great song to sing together as a congregation, especially as it builds to the chorus which says, “Arrest my heart from its reckless path, release the chains in me. Awake my soul to the hope You hold, Your grace is all I need.” I think this song of repentance and the mercy we find in Christ is a great option to play after a heavy sermon or quiet time of reflection.

Love is War// I love the way Hillsong retold this song in the acoustic set, turning it into a triumphant battle cry as they sing about the war Jesus fought for us, battling, fighting, and surrendering in perfect love. This song sounds great with an emphasis on the percussion during the bridge of the song, which says, “And I know Your love has won it all, You took the fall to embrace my sorrows. I know You took the fight, You came and died but the grave was borrowed! I know You stood again, so I can stand with a life to follow, in the light of Your name.” May we be encouraged by this song, and encourage others, that this war at hand, this fight for love, is worth fighting for because of the overwhelming victory we have in Christ (Romans 8:37).

Nothing Like Your Love// The title speaks for itself, there’s nothing like His love. Another great song, especially if you have some keyboarders or a xylophone sitting around, which sounds great in this acoustic version.

Heartbeats// The tone of the album shifts with this fast paced, upbeat track. It’s a great song to open up a set with, and the lyrics are simple yet powerful. I love the confession of the chorus, “I want You, need You, I love You, Jesus my heart beats forever just to know You, let go and throw my future into Your hands.”
A Million Suns// I was really excited to hear this song come out on the acoustic album because I love the lyrics but it’s style on the original Zion album was difficult to tone down and play in a church setting. I love the way it’s broken down on this album, with the electric guitar, drums, and keyboard, and the key change towards the end of the song is killer.

Tapestry// Although this song is a little lengthy on the lyrics and therefore difficult to introduce into a worship service setting, I think the song tells a great story of the life that God is weaving and orchestrating together, and how glorious it will be when we finally get to meet the maker of it all face to face.

King of Heaven// This song has grown on me over the past few weeks, and I love way it sounds in this acoustic set. It does a great job summing up the album: the King of Heaven is here on earth. The bridge packs a powerful punch as well and I love how they build it back up musically after setting down all their instruments down for most of the song with the exception of the piano. This is an incredible song and I would definitely recommend trying this one out.

I hope this review has been a blessing to all of you. May we as worship leaders be drawn to the truth embedded in the music we play.

-Brittany Abel

Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds!

(Psalm 9:11)