Vertical Worship
Planetarium EP
(Essential Worship/Provident)
What do you do when you record songs against the massive backdrop of the Chicago Planetarium, surrounded by images of swirling galaxies and open plains? In Vertical Worship’s case, you go small, and that’s where the magic of Planetarium begins. The Chicago-based worship band has taken a handful of songs from their latest record, Bright Faith Bold Future, and scaled them back to the essentials: piano and synth, cello, drum pads and electric guitar in a style reminiscent of Hillsong United’s acoustic albums.
Lyrically, these are church songs for turbulent times. “Yes I Will” is a gentle anthem of surrender, while the energetic “Open the Gates” calls for God’s power to surface in our world. Finally, “Shelter” offers tender assurance: “In the shadow of your wings / I am safe.” You won’t find new songs here, but the short tracklist and intimate approach allows them to shine, making a lovely EP for any time you need peace and perspective.
–Jen Rose Yokel
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