Elevation Worship

Only King Forever

From humble beginnings to a world-renowned worship band, Elevation Worship brings us their newest live offering, Only King Forever. A 13-track album full of heartfelt lyrics, laced with the now signature indie rock guitars and packaged with the relevant message, the Charlotte-based group proclaims the name of Jesus with refreshing excitement for a contemporary worship outfit.

The myriad of vocalists yield some very ear-catching numbers, but certain tracks lack the vocal command needed to really take the song(s) to the next level. The album’s first and title track is an example. It has all the earmarks of a great opening song: relentless beats, swirling guitars and a chorus sure to get stuck in your head. But the absence of aural diction and bravado hinder one from being fully immersed in the experience. Although every song on the album is worth a listen, a select few do stick out from the rest – this one like a sore thumb.

Four tracks in, however, “Grace So Glorious” is a profound and honest refrain that will seize the hearts of anyone listening. It compels the soul to worship. The genuine nature of this ballad and some of the others allow for deep spiritual connection throughout the song. Vocally, the track features Chris Brown delivering an inspired rendition of the new song, penned with the help of the church’s pastor Steven Furtick, who co-writes much of the band’s music.

Overall, the album has a good formula for corporate worship with top-notch musicianship. The tracks are long (most over five minutes) which can make them cumbersome at times, and as I mentioned, some lack the vocal power needed to really soar melodically. If the group looks to truly be set apart in the worship music scene, another priority will be reducing the use of a recipe for their song structure.