EMU Music introduce their latest album, Advent, with this blurb:
“What if God was one of us,” sang Joan Osbourne in 1995. The truth is that he is, for ‘one of us’ is precisely what the eternal Son of God became just over 2,000 years ago, and he remains ‘fully human’ – without, of course, ceasing to be ‘fully God’. The Bible is crystal clear about this: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”, writes the apostle John. “And we have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The songs on this album are each in their own way a celebration of the reality, purpose and implications of the incarnation. It is our hope and prayer that as you sing these songs together, they will bring glory to our great King Jesus and blessing to his people.
The album contains ten tracks, all new.
Seven of the tracks make references to the incarnation in their first stanza, and then by degrees refer to Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and the current implications/future hope of his followers.
Three others seem to more fully focus on the complementary theme of advent, the second coming of the Lord Jesus.
Lyrically, a lot of thought, craft and effort is evident. (There are a couple of instances of differences between the lyrics as recorded and in the liner notes, btw)
Musically, the variety of styles reflects the five (or six) different composers listed.
This far down the track, if you’re familiar with the EMU collective you’ll have your own favourites, and I really don’t think any of them are heading in very different directions from previous efforts.
I tend to gravitate toward the more melodic and acoustic tracks such as Trevor Hodges’ See The Man (while wondering about how the One day a Saviour will return line really fits in verses 1 & 2); Philip Percival & Simone Richardson’s Did You Know and My Heart Delights; and Mike Begbie & Rob Smith’s Immanuel – God Has Come. For those who like jangly, stadium-style guitar chord intros there’s plenty for you too. And there’s one Nicky Chiswell track, One Of Us, which she, sadly, doesn’t sing.
Introducing new songs in the Christmas season is tough work, but the above mentioned scope of the lyrics means they can be used pretty much any time of year, particularly at Easter.
Producing an album of original music aimed squarely at the Advent/Christmas season is a brave move by EMU. These won’t replace your favourite seasonal songs, but as a helpful supplement their appropriate use will help congregations think about their lives as disciples of Jesus without the over-familiarity or sentimentality which can be so prevalent at this time of year.
mgpcpastor's blog 