Review:

Organic* Family Hymnal

The result of a collaboration between around 15 musicians from in and around Belfast, this is almost certainly the most original UK worship record in a decade.

The music hits you in relentless waves; from the slow build of rallying opener ‘Come on my soul’ onward. At no point does the album allow you to settle into a listening rut – there are so many musical ideas in every track that sometimes they’re fighting for your attention. Around every corner there’s a surprise – a sudden orchestral build; a clever riff; a children’s choir…This is an album of ideas, and for the most part they’re very good ones.

That’s not to say the album is perfect. There’s probably one too many reworkings of classic hymns, and some of the slower songs don’t make quite as big an impression. That said, ORGANic*Family Hymnal is still the most exciting debut album from a Christian artist since King of Fools.

HIGH: ‘Faithful’ – a great, pop worship song featuring US worship giant David Crowder.

LOW: The second half of the album can’t quite match the extraordinary first.

Published by: Survivor