People (Live)

On the 14th live Hillsong UNITED recording, the internationally celebrated Australian worship band wisely opts not to mess with a good thing: If you’ve ever heard a Hillsong album before, you know you can expect big, roaring anthems of praise and devotion, along with the kinds of choruses made to sweep huge congregations in euphoria. But that’s not to say People lacks distinction. As its title suggests, the group intended this set, recorded in Sydney in 2018, to convey a message about human beings—how we’re needy, frail, and prone to messing up, yet still fiercely loved by God. To that end, the gentle ebb and flow of “Whole Heart (Hold Me Now)” reminds that Christ takes our shortcomings and makes us complete again; “Here’s to the One” rides an electronic pulse and arena rock guitars to adore the only One who can return our marred humanity to its beautiful state.