Darlene Zschech “Testament (EP2)” Album Review

Prime Cuts: Yes Again, My Jesus I Love Thee, Emmanuel

Overall Grade: 4.5/5

2024 marks the 30th anniversary of Zschech/Hillsong's hit "Shout to the Lord." The song's influence cannot be undermined. "Shout" puts a suburban Aussie church on the international map of worship music and opens the doors for women to front worship teams. As a result of Zschech's influence and nurture, today, we have worship leaders like Hannah Hobbs, Miriam Webster, and Brooke Ligertwood. In celebration of "Shout's" three decades of impact, Zschech and Integrity Music have decided to release new recordings of 25 of Zschech's most popular worship offerings and 5 new songs. A month or so ago, five of these songs were released; now, five more have come out of the chute.

This new set opens with a pop-oriented version of Zschech's 2014's "In Jesus' Name." Featuring the HopeUC Nashville Choir, "In Jesus' Name" was written amid Zschech's bout with breast cancer. This anthemic declaration of Jesus' healing power comes across powerfully as Zschech declares with utmost conviction: God is fighting for us/God is on our side/He has overcome/Yes, He has overcome. "Emmanuel" is one of Zschech's lesser-known gems from her 2017's "Here I Am, Send Me." Though "Emmanuel" is gorgeous with Zschech's tender and passionate execution, the song suffers from having too many bridges. A slight edit to the song will make it more palatable.

"Yes Again," a co-write between Zschech and Mitch Wong, is one of two new songs. A classic-in-the-making, "You Again" is a "fresh surrender" song to Jesus. Offering a list of unconditional surrenders (Yes on the mountain/Yes in the desert/Yes in this moment/Yes and forever/Whatever it looks like), the song is an illustration of the words of the Apostle Paul, when he testifies, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me" (Gal. 2:20). "Spirit of the Living God," this time a collaborative effort with Dustin Smith, resonates too much with Vertical Worship's song of the same titular. The song's line about "giving room" for the Holy Spirit to move is disappointing. If the Spirit is Lord of our lives, he owns every space, and he is not to be confined to spaces we allow him to move.

The EP includes the hymn "My Jesus I Love Thee," which first appeared on Zschech's 2014 "Revealing Jesus" album. While many hymns tend to be descriptive, Zschech has magnificently augmented a chorus to this seasoned tune, making the song even more personal and applicable. Worship leaders who want something old yet contemporary will do well to include this rendition of "My Jesus I Love Thee" in their song list. Again, this new EP is packed with many powerful worship moments, affirming why Zschech is one of the pioneering figures in the genre.

 

 

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