Recorded during the 2017 Hillsong Worship &Creative Conference at Hillsong Church in Sydney,Australia,[2] the album has seventeen songs (four of them being acoustic covers) including "Who You Say I Am","Remembrance","New Wine","Touch of Heaven" and two live renditions of previously released songs:Hillsong United's hit single "So Will I (100 Billion X)" from Wonder and "Seasons" from Hillsong Worship's The Peace Project (2017).[3]
In early January 2018,Hillsong Worship announced that they would be joining Hillsong Church senior pastor Brian Houston on a tour in the United States dubbed There Is More starting on 5 April,stopping in thirteen cities whilst promoting Houston's book titled There Is More which was slated for a 20 March release.[5] On 3 February 2018,Hillsong Worship announced that they would release a live worship album,also carrying the same name,on 6 April,commencing the digital pre-order period.[6] On 2 March 2018,"Who You Say I Am" and a live rendition of Hillsong United's "So Will I (100 Billion X)" availed as promotional singles during the digital pre-order.[7] The album was released on 6 April,wherein the pre-order period ended.[8]
"On the other side of Jacob's divine encounter was a new name,a new blessing,a new identity and a new way of walking (literally). Will we be a worshipping people who are not content to sleep through the night (spiritually speaking) and wake in the morning unchanged? Like Jacob,will we enter into the wrestle with God,dare to know Him more intimately and be changed in the process? This is the premise for Hillsong Worship's 26th live praise and worship album. The title,"THERE IS MORE",truly is a statement-of-belief more than a record title."
Ligertwood went on to say that "There is more at stake than we dare realize –souls,communities,families,nations on the other side of our wrestle through the night seasons. Our personal freedom is for corporate revival. There is more of God,and more to God and His love than we can possible conceive of."[9][6][8]
Artwork
The album cover of There Is More has artwork that with designs akin to those found in heraldry. There are thirteen symbols on the album cover,according to the Hillsong Worship Zendesk page,[10] and their meanings are as follows:
The lion and the man:This denotes Jacob wrestling with God. In Genesis 32,Jacob wrestles with God through the night,and at dawn,his hip is wrenched from its socket and he is given a new name - Israel. The takeaway message is that encountering the Lord will lead to change. In worship,"if we are willing and determined to "not let Him go" as Jacob was,we too will encounter the Holy One and discover our true and place in the plan of God."[10]
The scroll:This is symbolic of prophecies. The birth,life,death and resurrection of Jesus is the fulfilment of over 350 prophecies documented in the Old Testament,written centuries prior to his birth. "He is the Christ,the Messiah,the Saviour of the world." Scriptural basis - Luke 4:17-21 (NIV).[10]
The bible:The bible is "God's love letter to humanity. His lamp to our feet and light to our path,His surgeon's scalpel and His equipping grace." Scriptural basis - Hebrews 4:12-13 (MSG),2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV).[10]
The sunflowers:The plant follows the sun in the sky,with its face towards the light. In like manner,the concept in a spiritual context is that of one being "ever turned towards God,facing Him and following to receive and reflect His light." Scriptural basis - Psalm 34:5 (NIV).[10]
The heart,the crown of thorns and the cross:God's love (denoted by the heart) for humanity and his commitment to its redemption is evidenced by the obedient suffering of Christ (the crown of thorns),and death (on the cross). The cross made a way for "all to be reconciled to God and to one day enter Zion,the Heavenly city." Scriptural basis - Hebrews 12:2,Revelation 14:1.[10]
The stairway:It is recorded in Genesis 28:12 that Jacob,in a dream,saw a stairway which was resting on the earth and going up to heaven,where the Lord stands and speaks a promise to him. Four chapters later,Jacob wrestled with God. "What a gracious God that speaks from His throne and chooses to "come down" to Jacob in Genesis 32."[10]
Mustard seeds:Mustard seeds were used as descriptor of one's size of faith by Jesus in response to his disciples,who were unsuccessful at exorcising a boy possessed by a demon in Matthew 17. Matthew 17:20 (NIV) says "He replied,“Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you,if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,you can say to this mountain,‘Move from here to there,’and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”[10]
Water:It is symbolising baptism. In the Great Commission,Jesus commanded that the disciples be baptised.[10] Scriptural basis - Matthew 28:18-19.
The peacock:This was a symbol of immortality to ancient Greeks as it was believed that its flesh did not decay after death. The early church used this belief in that culture to communicating the redemptive,resurrecting power of Christ. The idea is that present-day,cultural imagery can be used to assist people in understand the Gospel story. Scriptural basis - 1 Timothy 1:17.[10]
Cup of wine:Wine symbolises the blood of Jesus when partaking Holy Communion in remembrance of the Lord. Scriptural basis - 1 Corinthians 11:26.[10]
The dove:Symbolic for the Holy Spirit,who descended and settled on Jesus as a dove after Jesus was baptised. Scriptural basis - Matthew 3:16 (NLT).[10]
Olive tree:Psalm 52:8 (NIV) says "But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God;I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever."[10]
The rose:This alludes to the "rose of Sharon," a phrase that first appeared in 1611 in the King James translation of the bible. The phrase has been used to describe Jesus in church culture for centuries. "It's a fitting depiction of our glorious Saviour - beautiful in every way,whilst taking the stain of sin and sting of death away."[10]
In a CCM Magazine review,Matt Conner rated the album four-and-a-half stars,saying that "There Is More is an apt title for Hillsong Worship’s latest,a nod to their ever-churning mill of inspirational new songs as well as the album’s prevailing theme of abundant life.[11] Tony Cummings of Cross Rhythms bestowed the album a nine-out-of-ten square rating,declaring that "This is,I understand,Hillsong Worship's 26th non-seasonal live album. It is also one of their very best."[12] In Aaron Lewendon's review for Eden.co.uk,he asserts:"Filled with powerful songs and moving lyrics,There Is More reinforces Hillsong Worship’s status as providers of worship music that speaks to the Church today."[14] Giving the album a four-and-a-half star rating in a Hallels review,Timothy Yap says "They [Hillsong Worship] manifest theological depth in their lyrics;the songs are well-tested for congregational singing (even for small churches) and most importantly they are memorable."[13] In a favourable review by Kevin Davis of NewReleaseToday,he says that "There Is More is loaded with several stirring new worship songs that set me in the proper mindset to praise God for His love. I really enjoy the exciting musical vibe of this album,loaded with stellar vocals,catchy melodies and solid lyrics reflecting unashamed faith in Jesus."[15] Gerod Bass of Worship Musician Magazine was full of praises for the album,concluding that "Hillsong just keeps doing what they have been doing for 2 decades:bringing singable,rich worship music to connect people with God’s heart in worship. There is nothing ground-breaking or different about the arrangements or instrumentation here,but the writing and melodies are solid throughout. I mean,it’s Hillsong. ‘Nuff said."[16]
In Australia,There Is More debuted on the ARIA Albums Chart at No. 2.[25]
In the United States,There Is More sold 17,000 equivalent album units in its opening week,thus debuting at No. 2 on Billboard's Christian Albums chart (dated 21 April).[26]There Is More is Hillsong Worship's twelfth album to appear in the Top 10 sector of the Christian Albums chart.[26] The album was also the eighth best-selling digital album in the same week,[27] whilst appearing on the all-inclusive Billboard 200 chart at No. 26.[28]
On 13 July 2018, Hillsong Worship released an extended play with six studio-recorded renditions of songs from the album, titled There Is More: Studio Sessions, via Hillsong Music Australia and Capitol Christian Music Group in digital format.[34][35]
On 19 October 2018, Hillsong Worship released an instrumental album titled There Is More: Instrumental, via Hillsong Music Australia and Capitol Christian Music Group in digital format.[38][39][40]
Grant Konemann — record engineer, percussion, programming
Ben Tan — record engineer, electric guitar, synthesizers, programming
Michael Zuvella — engineer
Omar Sierra — engineer
Nate Baldersten — engineer
Brandon Gillies — engineer
Cory Halfast — engineer
Phillip Metcalfe — engineer
Alex Sloane — engineer
Tyler Shields — engineer (EastWest)
Phil Threlfall — engineer (Strings)
Daniel Hernandez — engineer (Strings)
Daniel McMurray — drums, percussion
Matt Tennikoff — bass
Nigel Hendroff — electric guitar, acoustic guitar
Jarryd Scully — electric guitar
Autumn Starra — piano, synthesizers
Nathan Hughes — piano
Ben Tennikoff — piano, synthesizers, programming
Peter James — synthesizers
Jack McGrath — synthesizers, programming
David Andrew — synthesizers
Brooke Ligertwood — acoustic guitar
Jad Gillies — acoustic guitar
Reuben Morgan — acoustic guitar
Jared Haschek — string arrangements
Corrie Haskins — violin
Gerard Alvares — violin
Lynette Rayner — violin
Lily Higson-Spence — violin
Maddie Jevons — violin
Lisa Reynolds — violin
Zoe Friesberg — violin
Peter Clark — violin
Hannah Pfaff — viola
Ceridwen Davies — viola
Matt Laing — viola
Christian Read — viola
Michaeli Witney — cello
Karoline Kuti — cello
Blair Harris — cello
Alex Arai-Swale — double bass
Pre-production was handled at EastWest Studios, Hollywood, US. Post-production was handled at: Baxter House Studios (Sydney, Australia), The Base Recording Studios (South Melbourne, Australia; strings only) and Gold Dust Studios (Sydney, Australia).
A Spanish-language studio recorded version of the album was released on 16 August 2019 along with a single, "Hermoso Nombre" ("What a Beautiful Name").[65]
↑ "Golden gives Kylie fifth #1 album | ARIA Charts". Australian Recording Industry Association. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018. #2: Hillsong Worship 'There Is More' – Hillsong Worship take out a third top three debut with There Is More. The live album is the follow-up to The Peace Project (#18 Oct. '17). The group have also previously charted with Let There Be Light (#2 Oct. '16) and Open Heaven/River Wild (#1 Oct. '15).
1 2 Asker, Jim (19 April 2018). "Hillsong Worship's 'There Is More' Debuts at No. 2 on Top Christian Albums Chart | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved 2 July 2018. There Is More, the new live album from Hillsong Worship, arrives at No. 2 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums chart (dated April 21), earning 17,000 equivalent album units (11,000 in traditional album sales) in its first week, according to Nielsen Music.
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