Worship leader and songwriter Amanda Cook has previously announced the release of her forthcoming LP, State Of The Union, and she is giving fans an additional taste of the new music with the track “Miracle Of The Mind.” The single is available to stream now along with a brand new lyric video (below) released to Cook’s YouTube channel as well as available to watch on Apple Music.
State Of The Union is the third installment following her two solo albums, Brave New World and House On A Hill, and her first worship album release with Provident Entertainment.
“State Of The Union was written from an animated, re-imagined place of trust and love, within my faith tradition as a follower of Jesus,” shares Amanda Cook. “This body of work explores the relationships we carry around in our hearts – with God, with the world, each other, our own selves. It’s an exploration of Love, the kind that keeps loving unto and past death. The kind that stays.”
State of the Union will release on May 20th on Provident Entertainment. Click here to pre-save the new album and listen to “Miracle Of The Mind” now.
The dynamic, multicultural youth ministry of Planetshakers Church, planetboom, releases new music today with “I Will Follow You.” This follows the release of their third album, You, Me, The Church, That’s Us – Side A, which dropped earlier this year.
The diverse youth culture at planetboom that represents at least 60 nationalities translates the mission of Planetshakers Church into eclectic music that creates a unique space for an international audience to find an intimate sense of belonging as part of the church family.
Side B of the album was recorded at the latest planetboom conference held this week (Jan. 10) in Melbourne and is scheduled to release April, 2022. The new music adds to the linear fashion of the tracklist, and is meant to move listeners directly from the Side A, soul soaking last track, “Selah Moment,” into the next phase of worship.
Internationally known North Point Worship releases new music with their Our God Will See Us Through (Live). The project contains ten live tracks. Alongside the new music, the group also releases official music videos. The video for “Never Get Tired” can be viewed below.
Originally formed out of North Point Community Church’s high school ministry, InsideOut, the worship band from North Point Ministries now serves over a million people online, via television and at the multi-campus, metro Atlanta area North Point Community Church every week. It also serves a growing and diverse, multicultural group of worshippers reaching well-beyond its network of 90 local churches.
Austin Stone Worship releases new music with a song titled “When Will You Rise?”. An accompanying live performance video for the song can be seen below. Pre-save/add “When Will You Rise?” from the Hope Is Awake EP now.
“When Will You Rise?” is primarily an instrumental meant to represent the silence, waiting, and longing on Holy Saturday as our Savior laid in the tomb. We pray that it invites you to meditate upon the stillness and longing contained in the Easter story in a new way as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the resurrection on Easter Sunday! -Austin Stone Worship
It was a couple of days after the war began in Ukraine that Tommy Iceland, an Iceland-born, Sweden-raised, and now Nashville, TN-based songwriter was prompted by God to record “Whom Shall I Fear (God Of Angel Armies).” Listen to the song HERE.Originally by Chris Tomlin, Iceland knew a new version of the song needed to be made and feature a Ukrainian worship leader.
“It was very early on that I felt we needed to do Tomlin’s ‘Whom Shall I Fear (God Of Angel Armies),’” Iceland explains. “I was listening to that song and the lyrics just struck me differently, especially with this war in mind. ”
He also knew it was important that the song would come directly out of Ukraine and from the people facing the terror of war. “At that point, I didn’t know any worship leaders in Ukraine but I did know others around the world,” he shares. “I’ve been able to have a global perspective by growing up in Europe and I care so deeply about churches all around the world.”
Through mutual friends, he was connected to Mark Sergeev, a worship leader and youth pastor of Melitopol Christian Church located in south Ukraine. When they first connected on March 1st, Iceland knew he was the voice to use for the song.
“I got to know Mark better and he’s just genuine,” he says. “He has such a heart for God and his whole life is about bringing the Gospel to people at any cost. That’s something I’ve seen during this war – he’s willing to lay down his life to share the Gospel.”
At that same time, Sergeev, his wife, and their three children were hiding underground with others from their congregation in the basement of their church. Bombs were literally going off just outside, taking over the city.
“Mark told me that he loved the idea and wanted to do the song but at that particular time, they didn’t even know if they were going to make it out alive,” Iceland shares. “It wasn’t a long text because of what was happening at that moment, and when our messaging stopped I just broke down – I had no idea if he and his family were going to survive the night.”
The next day they were able to talk, but by then the Russians had occupied Melitopol. Continuing to hide in the church basement, which also stored recording equipment, Sergeev was able to record the vocals although the recording couldn’t get sent due to Russia shutting down all internet services. Iceland didn’t hear from Sergeev for a couple of days but miraculously two days later the song file arrived and the song was able to get finished.
Then, in the middle of the night on March 9, Sergeev was abducted by the Russian soldiers and was under threat of being killed. He ended up being released the next day and is now back with his family.
With an initial threat of any use of his voice or name for this song could be detrimental to his life, Sergeev made it clear that he wanted his voice to be used for the recording, to share hope around his country and around the world of what is happening.
The final touch on “Whom Shall I Fear (God Of Angel Armies)” includes an additional verse written by Iceland and sung by nine-year-old Kate Zarubaiko, also from Ukraine and whose family has fled to Sweden. You can hear her voice, along with Mark Sergeev and Tommy Iceland by clicking on the lyric video below.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
Tommy Iceland is partnering with Missions International, a non-profit organization that directly helps those in need who are impacted by the war. All donations made will benefit the families in Melitopol and all over Ukraine. Please visit MissionsInternational.org/ukraine-relief for more information.
Stars Go Dim is an American pop rock band from Tulsa Stars Go Dim shares a live video for “Yes He Does,” which can be viewed below.
The live recording was filmed at RCA Studio B. The track will be featured on their upcoming third studio project, Grace In The Wilderness. The project leads listeners on a pilgrimage toward hope that expands on the infectious pop sound that’s defined Chris Cleveland’s catalog since the impassioned singer debuted his first self-titled album under the Stars Go Dim moniker.
Coupling meaningful lyrics with a voice that knows no bounds, Cleveland pulls out all the stops on the intrepid collection as his immaculate voice effortlessly glides across 13 tracks — all co-written by the ace songwriter. Produced by Jeff Sojka, Jeff Pardo and Anton Göransson, the new LP features the explosive “This Is Love,” the worshipful “Prepare The Way” and the affirming “Yes He Does.”
Pre-order/pre-save Grace In The Wilderness, available Apr 29, HERE.
Elevation Rhythm releases the official live video for “Easy,” which can be viewed below. The track is from their most recent release, Growing Pains.
As an essential part of Elevation Church based in Charlotte, North Carolina, the group sets the musical compass for a younger generation of worshipers. With youth and young adults at the forefront of their mission, Elevation Rhythm’s sonic backdrop is intentional to keep up with the changing times, which is why the group experiments with a variety of bold sounds and textures. Incorporating elements of pop, rock, worship, and hip-hop, each of the twelve songs found on Growing Pains offers the youthful energy found in its diversity.
The group will share some of these songs live when they join Elevation Worship along with Pastor Steven Furtick on the spring arena tour Elevation Nights. Kicking off April 26 in Chicago, they will bring the experience of Elevation Church to cities around the U.S. The tour will wrap in Boston on May 5. Tickets are on sale now – for further information visit ElevationNights.com.
Gospel music crusader, CDO, premiered a new music video titled ‘Ike’ off The Album Of The Year.
‘Ike’ is a song that speaks about God’s exceeding greatness. Just as the title ‘Ike’ implies power, the song sums up the fact and truth that all powers belong to God.
Through our life experiences, we bear witness that God is the main source of power. Ike is an upbeat contemporary sound with indigenous influence, produced by Blaise beat. A great song of praise.
Nigerian recording/worship artiste, NEWPOWER makes his 2022 debut with a beautiful worship tune “Enjoying Your Presence,” lifted from his upcoming debut album, THE REVOLUTION. The new song accompanied by a lyric video captures the singer’s heart of worship while expressing deep reverence and adoration for God.
Soul-stirring and spirit-lifting, “Enjoying your Presence” is inspired from a place of intimacy and total surrender to God. The new track is available today to download/stream on various digital platforms.
Prior to “Enjoying your Presence,” Newpower has blessed listeners with other great songs like “Nothing is Impossible,” “Move of Your Spirit,” Others, which will be housed in his forthcoming album.
