NEW WORSHIP FRIDAY: Leslie Jordan, Citizens & REVERE Unscripted
Grammy-nominated artist and worship leader Leslie Jordan releases a live-in-the-studio edition of her latest EP 'All That I Need To Know'. Titled the 'Fox Den Sessions', the 6-track project strips back songs that Leslie helped write and were previously recorded by other artists. Featuring a stunning array of instruments, from the cello, piano, stripped-back drums, acoustic guitar and banjo, 'All That I Need To Know (Fox Den Sessions)' shines with Leslie Jordan's generous heart and gentleness. After almost ten years of being a part of All Sons & Daughters, she has been thriving in the writer’s seat since 2017 championing others to carry the songs they’ve written together. But, as she explains, "occasionally there are songs that stick to me as well [...] this is a collection of those songs."
Citizens introduce a new single after their successful summer EP 'A Thousand Shores'. The new song, called 'When We Pray', was written by Citizens frontman Zach Bolen alongside Canadian singer-songwriter Ben Cantelon. 'When We Pray' emerged from a conversation between the musicians, expressing their thoughts around the phrase "in Jesus name". With simple honesty, Zach says that his "first instinct was to push against the idea of writing a song with that phrase mostly just because of how often it has been used as a cliche, or even worse, as some sort of magical saying." The new single seeks to bring something new to the conversation around the significance of praying in the name of Jesus. Citizens dare to embrace the tension, encouraging listeners that it’s often in that place that our faith becomes tangible: "At times it’s a tattered and frustrated faith and at other times it’s a garden at springtime. I can’t explain why that is, but I’ve found along the way that God has answered many of my “in Jesus name” prayers, just not always in the way that I was expecting," Zach adds. 'When We Pray' speaks of selfless faith and untapped hope on a spacious sound bed of melodic bass, atmospheric synths and a subtle rhythmic guitar line; and the song is marked with Citizens' signature alternative edge. "Let’s consider what it would look like to spend more time together as a church praying in the name of Jesus for the good of those who don’t dress like us, talk like us, look like us, believe like us, agree with us," Zach concludes. With 'When We Pray', Citizens hope to remind listeners that even in the waiting and the tension, we are still surrounded by the presence and comfort of Jesus.
'Vem Quebra As Barreiras/Come And Tear Down The Walls' is a prayer unto God that has been resonating with both the REVERE message and the international community of worship leaders. American-born Brazilian singer Julia Vitória heard the song from REVERE’s live album and started singing it as a prayer, growing to truly love and believe in the song. When the chance to lead 'Vem Quebra As Barreiras/Come And Tear Down The Walls' during the REVERE Unscripted night of worship came up, the powerhouse vocalist interpreted it in both Portuguese and English. There are so many barriers that we construct in our lives; between ourselves and others who don’t look like us or share the same perspective, but ultimately, barriers between us and God. 'Vem Quebra As Barreiras/Come And Tear Down The Walls' is a humble call to God-inspired change. The new single is built around the vocals, with a grand piano and cello as a stripped-back sound bed. The new REVERE release is a breath-taking presentation of an open-handed worship experience.