With most resources and trends targeting bigger churches, leave it to Hillsong Music to once again demonstrate its innovation with a new series catering to smaller congregations. Hillsong Chapel is aimed at providing new and familiar worship music that’s stripped down to essential instruments for easier replication in worship services with limited musicians.
Forever Reign, recorded live at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church , features a collection of familiar tunes done in a light acoustic style under the direction of worship leaders Ben Fielding, Dean Ussher, Dave Ware, Reuben Morgan, Hayley Law, Jad Gillies and more. Songs such as “Cornerstone,” “Desert Song” and “A Beautiful Exchange” will be familiar to listeners, even while rendered in a more “unplugged” style.
The project begins with the encouraging and catchy “God Is Able,” which blends into the tender “Hallelujah.” “It Is Well With My Soul,” one of the album’s highlights, is given a fresh interpretation with a new counter melody and lyrics. The project concludes with the affecting anthem “With Everything.”
Forever Reign successfully presents itself not only as a valuable resource for worship leaders and congregations but for listeners who enjoy piano and acoustic guitar-driven praise for their personal times of worship.