Planetshakers Band will release Endless Praise, its latest live album and concert video, March 11 through Integrity Music.
Recorded during the church’s annual Awakening gathering in Melbourne, Australia, the 14-song project captures Planetshakers in its preferred environment: a large room, a full band and very little interest in easing quietly into the opening song.
The title track begins with electronic pulses before breaking into a fast, brightly colored declaration of praise. It reflects the musical direction running through much of the album, where modern worship songwriting meets dance production, pop melodies and the energy of a live concert.
Planetshakers co-pastor and worship leader Sam Evans said the band wants its music to remind churches that worship can include celebration, not only reflection.
“In a world that looks for happiness in all sorts of things, there is such great power in our praise,” Evans said. “We want to break through that with praise so that people experience complete freedom in Christ.”
That emphasis shapes songs including “Turn It Up,” “Dance” and “We Are Free,” which are built around movement and audience participation. The album also makes room for more restrained moments through “Abide With Me,” “Set Me Ablaze” and the closing song, “Leave Me Astounded.”
Joth Hunt produced the project and serves as one of the band’s primary worship leaders and songwriters. He said the songs were developed to support what Planetshakers Church had been teaching while still approaching familiar worship subjects from a fresh musical angle.
“Our songs have to be full of power and life,” Hunt said. “Scripture shows us that the kingdom of God is full of joy and life, so that shapes our approach to the music.”
Endless Praise is Planetshakers’ 26th live recording. The accompanying concert video documents the scale of the Awakening event, but the album’s larger test will be whether its songs can travel beyond that room and become useful to churches without the stage lights, cameras and several thousand additional vocalists.
Planetshakers will support the release with international touring throughout 2014, including events in the United States, India, Germany, Poland, South Korea and Malaysia.
Watch the official video for “Endless Praise” below.
Endless Praise Tracklist
- Endless Praise
- Turn It Up
- Dance
- No Other Name
- Made for Worship
- Kiss Towards
- Unto God
- Praise You Lord
- Oh Your Love
- Our God Reigns
- Set Me Ablaze
- Abide With Me
- We Are Free
- Leave Me Astounded