“When Wind Meets Fire” might be Elevation Worship’s 17th release, but the songs are as fresh as the inspiration sparked by the album’s title. Directly on the heels of their biggest hit to date — “Praise” — the award-winning collective serves up 14 originals recorded live across two different worship nights at their home base — Charlotte, N.C.’s Elevation Church, led by pastor Steven Furtick. The result is 90 minutes of music that reflects revival happening in real time.
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Furtick and the group’s Chris Brown helm songwriting credits alongside the usual suspects, including Brandon Lake, Chandler Moore and Pat Barrett, who were all instrumental in crafting 2023’s eight-track collection, “CAN YOU IMAGINE?” However, there’s also some fresh voices that make their way onto “When Wind Meets Fire.” Elevation Rhythm’s Joshua Holiday is credited as both a writer and producer on numerous tracks. Additionally, Benjamin William Hastings, Jenn Johnson, Aodhan King and Abbie Gamboa are among the other writers who contribute their deft lyricism to the LP.
While frequent collaborators like Moore and Joe L Barnes both appear as featured vocalists, “When Wind Meet Fire” marks the first time Leeland Mooring has officially worked with Elevation Worship. In addition to lending his distinct emotive vocals to standout track “What A Miracle,” which he co-wrote, Mooring also helped pen the theatrical title-cut and “Always on Time,” a song that speaks to God’s perfect timing.
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Furtick makes his first cameo on lead track “New Thing Coming.” The bright, bouncy pop selection boasts Tiffany Hudson on lead but also captures a spontaneous moment from the respected pastor, songwriter and visionary. Originally written as a New Year’s declaration for their church, the expectant “New Thing Coming” anticipates all God is yet to do in the days ahead.
Hudson once again steps out front for anchor ballad “Sure Been Good,” dwelling on God’s continual provision of blessing and grace. Then, arena-ready anthems like “Faithful Then / Faithful Now” and “Another One” showcase one of the group’s biggest strengths — the ability to churn out massive hooks that call out both the faithfulness of God in the past and His promise-keeping propensity to work in the future. Meanwhile, the faith-filled “Another Stone” affirms that even the impossible is no match for the sovereignty and power of Christ.
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Elsewhere, “God Is Not Against Me” — co-written by Lake, who first recorded it for his “Coat of Many Colors” album — gives way to a congregational-friendly offering. While Lake’s initial version is artsy and bluesy, Elevation’s rendering transforms the original song into an easy, straightforward Sunday morning moment.
It’s no easy feat to follow up an album as successful as “CAN YOU IMAGINE?” — a project that produced two consecutive No. 1s (“Trust In God” and “Praise”) and an immediate fan favorite found in “More Than Able” — but Elevation Worship delivers, not by heading back into the studio, but by staying true to their roots. Instead of creating a big, bold commercial record, the collective hit “record” on two evenings of live, organic worship at their church, reaffirming they’re at their best when they’re not trying to write a global anthem.
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The 14 new songs on “When Wind Meets Fire” were written for their church, road-tested at their church and recorded at their church. The accolades may be pouring in affirming their unlikely standing as one of the most esteemed acts in Christian music; however, Elevation Worship’s ever-evolving lineup is content doing what they’ve always done: writing songs for the local church.
In a culture where listeners consume music one single at a time, “When Wind Meets Fire” serves up an hour-and-a-half of music with six out of 14 selections clocking in at over seven minutes respectively. Furthermore, a live recording is often viewed as something of an ancillary endeavor, yet Elevation Worship has made an entire career out of more live projects than studio efforts. The group is, without argument, something of an anomaly. However, their songs continue to consistently give language to those willing to invest in a genuine relationship with Jesus.
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At its core, Elevation’s top-shelf songwriting remains paramount, as does their willingness to broaden their ever-widening circle of collaborators. Although “When Wind Meets Fire” doesn’t necessarily illustrate anything groundbreaking for the group, it does continue to fan the flame of their momentum and maintains their status as one of Christian music’s premier worship outfits.
Following this summer’s “Praise Party!” jaunt, the group will bring “When Wind Meets Fire” to audiences on the West Coast when they resume their historic “Elevation Nights” tour this fall with both Furtick and ELEVATION RHYTHM in tow.
