Off the beaten path of arena-style worship anthems and shimmering guitar reverb comes liturgical worship group The Brilliance. Headed up by singer/songwriter David Gungor as well as composer/pianist John Arndt, The Brilliance is a musical collective that takes a thoughtful and liturgically sensitive approach to church music- and it’s beautiful. Every last thread of their music is, well, brilliant. Their new release, simply titled Brother, is the first release with Integrity Music. It is a collection of re-recorded and re-mastered songs from previous releases, along with some brand new music.
Chances are, you probably caught the name Gungor just now. And the relation is true; David is younger brother to Michael Gungor, front man of the Grammy nominated group Gungor (formerly the Michael Gungor Band). And yet The Brilliance has a sound and identity all its own. David’s reflective lyrics paired with Arndt’s incredible compositions lend these songs more to spiritual reflection. What’s more unique to the group, The Brilliance helps connect us to the liturgical calendar, a trend experiencing resurgence in many evangelical circles. Previous albums from The Brilliance have come during hallmarks of the liturgical calendar, such as Advent or Lent. But the modern textures and catchy melodies breath life into these old traditions, helping us encounter God through them anew.
Worship pastors and other leaders who are tempted to put this album down for not fitting neatly into their worship sets ought to take another listen. While it is true that these songs may not always fit neatly into a contemporary worship set, The Brilliance has something rich and vibrant to offer congregations- especially to a more traditional one. It pushes the walls of convention is a very good way.
Just listen to “Breath,” a breath-taking (pun intended) song with lush, emotional strings ostinatos and ethereal crescendos, amidst an ascending melody crying out for the breath of God to guide His people. It catches you up in a Davidic cry to experience God. The songs on Brother are raw and accessible. “Your Love Remains” is a simple confession of Christ’s never-ending love and presence, reminding us that when we stumble and fall, God’s love will remain with us.
Finally, Brother carries with it a cry for unity and brotherhood. From the infectious beat and melody of the title track to the brutally honest and ardent cry for unity in “Make Us One,” the album provides a humble anthem for those looking for a resource for devotional reflection, meditation and prayer. And while it might not fit into the CCM cookie cutter, I believe it is carving for itself a much-needed place in worship experiences everywhere.