| Split the Sky | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | November 11, 2016 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 56:52 |
| Label | |
| Producer |
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| Singles from Split the Sky | |
Split the Sky is the first solo studio album by Chris Quilala. The album was released on November 11, 2016, by Sparrow Records alongside Jesus Culture Music. [4] [5] Jeremy Edwardson and Daniel James Mackenzie worked together in the production of the album. [6]
In a press release by Jesus Culture Music on October 10, 2016, it was announced that the album would be released on November 11, 2016. [7] In the press release, the album was described as being "set apart" from Jesus Culture's preceding releases, and with reference to the musical style, it said that Quilala was "largely influenced by retro pop, futuristic soundscapes and driven by big synth melodies." [7] [8]
Quilala, after fifteen years of leading people into praise in service and on thirteen live worship projects as a Jesus Culture worship leader, [8] drew inspiration for the album after the death of his son in late 2014. [9] In a statement on CBN.com, Quilala says:
"My wife and I lost our son, and so we went through a journey of encountering God's goodness and His hope even in the midst of pain, ... So a lot of songs came from that. It just felt like the right time to make a solo album and put language and music behind what I've experienced, and just God's goodness and faithfulness through what I've felt and I'm sure will be the darkest season I've ever walked through." [9]
The music video of "Because of Your Love" was released on October 6, 2016 as the first single of the album. [1] [10] "Because of Your Love" was then made available for download on November 4, 2016. [11] "Won My Heart" and "After My Heart" were also released as singles prior to the album's release on October 21 and November 4, 2016 respectively. [3] [2]
As of November 23, 2016, 3,000 units of Split the Sky were sold. The album made its debut at No. 8 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart dated December 3, 2016. [12]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| CCM Magazine |   [13] |
| The Christian Beat | [14] |
| Cross Rhythms |   [15] |
| Louder Than The Music | [16] |
| Today's Christian Entertainment | [17] |
| Worship Leader |  [18] |
Matt Conner of CCM Magazine rated the album four stars out of a possible five, describing the album as being "steeped in the synth pop of his [Quilala's] generation, with bleeps, blips and synthetic swirls that surround familiar vertical refrains." and urged worship fans to "note the sonic curve Quilala throws on this one, since it's not as straightforward as a Jesus Culture release," then concludes that "it's well past time for a nuanced, layered release like this. Kudos to Quilala for delivering it." [13] The Christian Beat's Emily Caroline, affixing a three-point-nine star rating of the album, believes that Quilala's album is "a completely new experience to in contemporary Christian music." and that it's "synthesized framework and style have the ability to reach and appeal to a whole new group of listeners, while the lyrics share messages of praise and thanksgiving for the incredible things possible with God." [14] Chris Webb gave the album a near-perfect rating of nine out of ten squares in his review at Cross Rhythms, describing the album as "Swirling waves of synth-based soundscapes crash like breakers on the sea shore surrounding the vocalist almost as a picture of how Chris feels surrounded by the Holy Spirit," and concluded that "High production values, strong melodies and positive and thought-provoking lyrics all make for a top notch album." [15] The album managed to attain a perfect five star rating from a Louder Than the Music review by Carolyn Aldis stating that "listening to it gives you the sense of connecting with God on a whole new level… its worship to sing along to, to listen to on headphones and reflect and it also works as background songs that usher in the presence of God anywhere." [16] In a review for Today's Christian Entertainment, Kelly Meade bestowed upon the album three-point-two stars, reached the following conclusion: "While each track on Split the Sky is well produced with smooth vocals set to a melodic background, it does feel a bit repetitive. However, the overall theme of God's love for us and His faithfulness is clearly in the forefront." [17] Worship Leader's Amanda Furbeck gave the album a four and a half star rating, describing as follows: "Split the Sky is the sound of ancient-future faith, pushing the limits of modern worship style while pulling in retro sounds from eras past." [18]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Welcome Here" |
| 4:20 |
| 2. | "After My Heart" |
| 4:09 |
| 3. | "Because of Your Love" |
| 5:15 |
| 4. | "Won My Heart" |
| 3:43 |
| 5. | "Only One God" |
| 4:06 |
| 6. | "Encounter" |
| 5:35 |
| 7. | "Surrendered" (featuring Kari Jobe) |
| 4:08 |
| 8. | "The Length of the Cross" |
| 4:24 |
| 9. | "Reign" |
| 3:55 |
| 10. | "Heart's Cry" |
| 6:29 |
| 11. | "All to You" |
| 4:17 |
| 12. | "Heaven Came for Me" |
| 6:31 |
| Total length: | 56:52 | ||
Adapted from AllMusic. [6]
Production
| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Christian Albums (Billboard) [20] | 8 |
Jesus Culture is a Christian revivalist youth-oriented organization that was formed at the Bethel Church of Redding, California, in the United States. Jesus Culture Ministry hosts conferences and operates a record label, Jesus Culture Music. In 2013, Jesus Culture moved to plant a church in Sacramento. Meetings started on September 14, 2014.
Rend Collective is a Northern Irish Christian folk rock worship band originating from Bangor, Northern Ireland. The current lineup consists of Gareth Gilkeson, Chris Llewellyn, Ali Gilkeson, Patrick Thompson and Steve Mitchell. Their first studio album Organic Family Hymnal was released on 28 September 2010. Their second studio album Homemade Worship by Handmade People was released on 10 January 2012. Both records were released by Kingsway. Their first live album Campfire was released on 29 January 2013 with Integrity. Their fourth album, The Art of Celebration, was released on 17 March 2014. Their fifth album, Campfire Christmas, Vol. 1 was released in November 2014, and the sixth, As Family We Go, on 21 August 2015. Their second live album, Campfire II: Simplicity, was released at the beginning of October 2016. In 2017 they released the Build Your Kingdom Here compilation followed by Good News in early 2018.
Run is the sixth studio album from contemporary Christian music band Sanctus Real. It was released on February 5, 2013 via Sparrow Records. In addition, the album producers are Jason Ingram, Seth Mosley and Christopher Stevens. The album has already garnered acclaim from the reviewers and has already achieved success from the lead single "Promises" on the charts. Furthermore, the album charted on the Billboard 200 and Billboard Christian Albums charts at Nos. 112 and 6 respectively in the debut week of February 23, 2013.
Sovereign is an album by Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith released on May 13, 2014 through Capitol Records. The album debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 and at No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart.
Majestic is the second live album by Christian singer and songwriter Kari Jobe. It is her second release with Sparrow Records. The album was recorded at the Majestic Theatre in Dallas, Texas, was produced by Jeremy Edwardson and released on March 25, 2014. It has attained critical acclamation and commercial successes.
Love Ran Red is the tenth studio album from contemporary Christian musician and worship leader Chris Tomlin. Released on October 27, 2014 through sixstepsrecords the album was preceded by two singles, "Waterfall" and "Jesus Loves Me" and was produced by Ed Cash.
Empires is the fourth studio album from Australian contemporary worship music band Hillsong United, a worship band from Hillsong Church. The album was released on 26 May 2015, under Hillsong Music, Sparrow Records and Capitol Christian Music Group. Michael Guy Chislett served as the album's producer, with vocalist Joel Houston serving as creative director and co-producer. "Touch the Sky" was released as the album's lead single in March 2015. The album won the Worship Album of the Year at the 47th Dove Awards.
Real Love is the debut studio album by Derek Johnson. Jesus Culture Music alongside Sparrow Records released the album on April 7, 2015. Jeremy Edwardson produced the album.
This Is Jesus Culture is the first compilation album by American Christian worship band Jesus Culture. The album was released on April 7, 2015 by Jesus Culture Music alongside Sparrow Records. Jeremy Edwardson, Nathan Grubbs and Brian Johnson worked together on the production of the album.
Chris Quilala was born on November 22, 1982, in Redding, California. He is an American Christian musician and worship leader with the Jesus Culture band and formerly with the Bethel Music collective. He primarily plays Christian pop and contemporary worship music.
Never Lose Sight is the eleventh studio album from contemporary Christian music artist Chris Tomlin. It was released on October 21, 2016 through sixstepsrecords.
For the Sake of the World is the fourth album from American worship collective Bethel Music. The album, produced by Brian Johnson, Ian McIntosh and Jeffrey Kunde, was released on 1 October 2012 by the collective's imprint label, Bethel Music. The album was recorded live during the weekend services at Bethel Church in Redding, California.
The Garden is the fifth studio album by Kari Jobe. The album was released on February 3, 2017 by Sparrow Records alongside KAJE, LLC. Jeremy Edwardson worked on the production of the album.
Starlight is the ninth live album and thirteenth album overall by California-based worship collective Bethel Music. The album was released on April 7, 2017, by the group's imprint label, Bethel Music. Chris Greely and Ran Jackson worked on the production of the album.
Be Lifted High is the second live album by California-based worship collective Bethel Music. The album was released on February 15, 2011 by Kingsway Music alongside the group's imprint label, Bethel Music. Jeremy Edwardson worked on the production of the album. The album was recorded live at Bethel Church in Redding, California and includes a DVD containing interviews about worship with Bethel Church pastors Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton as well as Bethel Music artists such as Brian and Jenn Johnson, Jeremy Riddle and others.
Here Is Love is the first live album by California-based worship collective Bethel Music. The album was released on October 12, 2010 by Bethel Music alongside Integrity Music. Jeremy Edwardson worked on the production of the album.
We Believe is the second live album by American Christian worship duo Brian & Jenn Johnson. The album was released on September 26, 2006, by Bethel Music, alongside Found Records, EMI and Kingsway Music. Jeremy Edwardson, Brian Johnson and Steven Tracy worked together on the production of the album. The album was recorded live at Bethel Church in Redding, California.
On My Side is the third studio album by American Christian singer Kim Walker-Smith, it is also her fifth album overall. On April 21, 2017, the album was released via labels Jesus Culture Music alongside Sparrow Records. She worked with Jeremy Edwardson in the production of the album.
Love Has a Name is the tenth live album and twelfth album overall by American worship group Jesus Culture. The album was released on August 11, 2017 by the group's imprint label, Jesus Culture Music alongside Capitol Christian Music Group and Sparrow Records. Jeremy Edwardson produced the album.
Living With a Fire is the eleventh live album and thirteenth album overall by American worship group Jesus Culture. The album was released on August 31, 2018 by the group's imprint label, Jesus Culture Music alongside Capitol Christian Music Group and Sparrow Records.
Concurrently on Top Christian Albums, the first solo LP from Chris Quilala, Split the Sky, launches at No. 8 (3,000 copies sold).
