Elevation Worship has released in excess of 16 albums since the worship expression of Charlotte, North Carolina’s Elevation Church initially started serving up their music to a wider audience. Yet, the GRAMMY®-winning collective has never unveiled a collection of Christmas songs until now. This year’s “Echo The Angels” heralds the group’s first-ever holiday project.
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Elevation Worship has long been known as a hospitable intersection of songwriters, musicians and vocalists, who regularly partner with everyone from Maverick City Music and Brandon Lake to Kari Jobe and Pat Barrett, among many other fellow artists. Every project they release consistently feels communal and collaborative. “Echo The Angels” is no exception, but this time, the community and collaboration comes from within. Comprised of a curated selection of gentle reflections on the nativity story, the 10-track LP feels like a reverent holiday gathering. Even still, the outfit’s inaugural Christmas effort keeps their circle small, touching on every branch of the family tree.
While key Elevation voices like Chris Brown, Tiffany Hudson and Jonsal Barrientes are represented; the youth-infused Elevation Rhythm and even a more traditional Elevation Choir lend their respective gifts to the record.
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An easy, worshipful listen, “Echo The Angels” soundtracks the season with reimagined renditions of beloved Christmas classics, as well as a pair of new originals. “In Luke 2, a great company of the heavenly host appeared to some shepherds worshipping and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest,’” shares Brown of the album’s overarching theme. “Not only were they echoing what all the angels do 24/7 around the throne in heaven, but they were modeling to these shepherds in the field the only appropriate response to the presence of Jesus: worship, praise, adoration. And still today, you and I are called to echo the angels and sing, ‘Glory to God in the highest.’”
“Echo The Angels” begins with a brief instrumental introduction before launching into cornerstone track “Hark The Herald Angels Sing.” From there, Hudson puts her ethereal stamp on Amy Grant classic “Breath of Heaven.” The group seamlessly folds in an all-new original worship bridge, dubbed “All of a Sudden,” that simultaneously updates the standard while also reaffirming the timeless quality of the well-crafted song detailing Mary’s side of the story.
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Further down the tracklisting, Hudson also helps lead original mash-up “Worthy and Wonderful / Worthy of Worship” alongside songwriter Mitch Wong. The intimate, regal selection pays tribute to our Wonderful Counselor, worthy of the utmost honor and praise. Meanwhile, the album’s second original, “Here Comes Heaven,” is helmed by Jenna Barrientes; and Brown takes the lead on the collective’s tender rendition of recognized favorite “Welcome To Our World.”
On the whole, “Echo The Angels” boasts relatively low-key, mid-tempo tracks, with possibly one exception: “JOY!,” ELEVATION RHYTHM’s upbeat contribution that certainly lives up to its name. The bright pop song is as colorful and energetic as any of RHYTHM’s regular faire.
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Backed by progressive, creative sonic elements throughout, the thoughtful recording comes to a close with a soulful, Gospel-tinged version of well-known hymn “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee,” featuring Isaiah “Zeek” Templeton. His beautifully controlled vocal range hints at a star-in-the-making from right inside the Elevation camp — and perhaps that’s the understated narrative this seasonal effort tells: Elevation Worship’s immediate family is full of immensely talented individuals.
While trumpeting a bigger story, “Echo The Angels” is clearly an in-house production, giving each of Elevation’s musical expressions the opportunity to shine. Although their table is always one of welcome, this Christmas, their multihued present to the world is less about fanfare-filled collaborations and more about the significance of family coming together for a single project that illustrates what can happen when we all use our respective gifts for the glory of God. If they never do another collaboration (which is highly unlikely considering collaboration is simply written into their DNA), “Echo The Angels” proves there’s plenty of dexterity, heart and passion within their own house to continue to propel Elevation Worship into 2024 and beyond.
