Reviewed by Matt McChlery

Californian husband and wife duo, Bryan and Katie Torwalt have teamed up with Jesus Culture Music to release this 15-track album. All the songs are self-penned and each holds spadesfull of musical interest thanks to the excellent production by Jeremy Edwardson. However, with closer investigation it becomes apparent that nearly all the songs here have previously appeared on earlier albums 'Here On Earth' and 'Kingdom Come' and this album serves to showcase some of their best. Bryan and Katie say, "Our desire is for people to have fresh encounters with God through worship. We write songs as an invitation for the Holy Spirit to stir our hearts and minds and to draw us closer to Him." And this is exactly what their songs do! "Shores" is a masterclass in anthemic songwriting, containing a majestic soundscape punctuated by pulsating tom drums in the chorus. "Holy Spirit" has certainly taken off in recent years and is increasingly being sung in churches around the world as more and more people discover and connect with it. The yearning expressed in the lyrics is palpable and the keyboard pads give it an ethereal feel, you just can't help joining in: "Holy Spirit, You are welcome here, come flood this space and fill the atmosphere". Another big-hitter is "When You Walk Into The Room". It is a song of invitation to the Holy Spirit that has thought-provoking lyrics and a seamless ebb and flow. If the Torwalts are new to you this collection is an excellent place to start.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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