NEW MUSIC
ZACH WILLIAMS
SONG FOCUS: “Rescue Story”
This idea is so great theologically because
restored by His love.
many think that we need to somehow restore
The title track kicks the album off with high- ourselves to reach heaven when in fact Jesus
energy EDM mixed effortlessly with a slight has already done the work for us and stands
gospel bend proclaiming God’s faithfulness and like the father of the prodigal, waiting for us to
goodness over sin and death. “Where the Spirit return, then runs out to meet us in the midst of
Of the Lord Is” is an authoritative anthem of our brokenness and pain.
the power of God and would serve as a great,
“end-of-service” sending song. Great songs are usually written out of an
Poetic writing and visual imagery are in vast into the joys and sorrows of life and creatively
array on songs like “The Artist” which speaks
of God’s creation (us) as purposeful, beautiful
and vastly loved while “Death of Death” takes
us from the foot of the cross to Easter victory
with a fresh and artistic look at the gift of life we
author’s personal perspective when they tap
turn those experiences into songs that connect
with a listeners heart.
Grammy-Award winner Zach Williams has
proven himself to be one of those writers. His
received because of Christ’s sacrifice. My favorite song on the album is also the most and the wildly successful, “Old Church Choir”.
Esteves lends her expressive alto mixed with
piano backing in the calming yet powerful, “I
Won’t Move.” Here we are reminded that in a
fast-paced world, we need to often stop and
classic with such chart-toppers as the title track
His latest release Rescue Story follows along
the same vein with its Southern Rock-Gospel
vibe and raw-life lyrical approach. So let’s take
a closer look at the title track for Williams’ new
just listen for the voice of Jesus in our lives. album.
I was pleasantly surprised by this hidden gem Thematically, being rescued out of darkness
of a release from the folks at Life.Church. The
writing is solid and filled with scripture and there
are some really sweet spots both melodically
and despair is a familiar theme for Zach Williams
to write about based on his own experience
with drugs and alcohol and how God found
and thematically throughout the album. Personally, I have already pegged three songs This is where verse 1 of “Rescue Story” begins
a perfect worship album, but I would definitely
suggest if you are a worship leader or band
member, you should go get this one.
chorus is simple melodically while pointing us
Williams creatively uses the idea of God writing
a rescue story and that we are the reason for
that story. Verse 2 tells that God was preparing
for us and our redemption long before we
were formed which points us to a loving and
purposeful God and how the grace of Jesus
was much more powerful than any shame we
could carry.
The bridge simply speaks of God’s unending
and that His story ultimately becomes our story
of redemption to share with others.
The arrangement is perfectly dirty and matches
the theme of the song with slide guitars,
Hammond organ and the occasional Gospel
as Williams describes how he “cries out from
the pit of his despair”. The next line reminds us
that God is with us in the shadows and comes
to meet us where we are.
without the work of Jesus on our behalf. The
faithfulness and how He never gives up on us
Him amidst his addiction.
for immediate use in my congregation. It is not
perfectly to point out that we would be nowhere
to the saving power of the cross.
debut album, Chain Breaker was an instant
stripped back as worship leader, Cassidy
The short pre-chorus sets up the chorus
choir backing Williams gritty vocal. Even though
it resembles “Chain Breaker” in style and basic
lyrical substance, “Rescue Story” still has
enough raw vulnerability to connect with every
listener who has found themselves lost and far
from God.
Gerod Bass
Worship leader in Tacoma, WA. Mentor with Worship
Catalyst. Singer, songwriter, guitarist with a passion
for impacting lives for the sake of the Gospel.
www.oslc.com
November 2019
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