Independent
Release Date: July 1st 2014
Reviewed by: Jonathan Andre
Broken State– For Your Glory (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- For Your Glory
- I Love Your Name
- Mighty
- Pour Your Anointing
British bands are few and far between in the current landscape of the CCM/worship music industry. And it is often sad to realise that within the fractures and confines lies a plethora of CCM artists- and most of them are American. Artists like TobyMac, Francesca Battistelli, Natalie Grant, Chris Tomlin, MercyMe, Tenth Avenue North, Crowder, Newsboys (even though Peter Furler founded the band, ¾ are now from America), Michael W. Smith, Meredith Andrews, Britt Nicole and Mandisa dominate. While I know each one of these artists are great at what they do, it’s saddening to see that many international artists, despite the success they have, hardly seem to be noticed- particularly by the CCM industry currently based in Nashville, Tennessee. Nevertheless, there are some great artists to be found outside the U S of A- Paul Colman, Peter Furler, Nathan Tasker, Alabaster Box, Matt Redman, Delirious? (though disbanded, they still have a big influence over modern worship today), for KING AND COUNTRY, Bluetree and Rend Collective. Add to this list of great artists that aren’t American- Broken State; and you have a formidable line up of artists that are just as good as their American counterparts.
Formed in Reading, U.K.; Broken State have released their 4 track EP, titled For Your Glory, and while many listeners may find themselves to be apprehensive in listening to a new band (I know I was before hearing this), one listen to the title track and all its electronic worship goodness and you can see the similarities, between this new outfit and other seasoned veterans, like Matt Redman, Delirious? (now disbanded), Martin Smith and LZ7. Having previously played with Guvna B, LZ7 and Soulfire Revolution in the past, this 3 piece band is certain to be a beacon of something unique, different and energetic in a worship industry that is in desperate need of a makeover if it wants to engage more of the younger generation.
First song “For Your Glory” begins with a powerful synth introduction as electronics and worship collide and bring forth a moment of emotion, praise and adoration as lead singer Rob Eisner declares out to God to ‘…take my hands, take my feet, lift me Lord to wherever You want me, take my life, take all I am, use me Jesus, use me for Your glory…’ A song that will make both EDM and worship enthusiasts proud, British worship has been given a great representative in Broken State, and “For Your Glory” is a great start to an EP that’s enjoyable, albeit short.
Rounding out the 4 song EP are songs “I Love Your Name”, “Pour Your Anointing” and “Mighty”, each showcasing a different musical genre as worship continues to remain first, front, foremost and centre on the hearts of these 3 men of God. Standing at just under 4 minutes, “Mighty” delivers a powerful and enthusiastic anthem that ought to be encouraged and sung in churches around the world; as the band give us hope in our belief that Christ is mighty- mightier than we can even fathom, imagine, understand or even try to. With electronic synths and a powerful cry of how ‘…our God is mighty, our God is holy, our God is mighty, and God will never end…’ that will make both the prolific DJ’s and the worship enthusiasts proud in how EDM and worship collided so successfully; “Mighty” flows into the longest song on the album, “Pour Your Anointing”, the most subdued song on the EP.
Full of light electronics, acoustic guitars, and a theme of us longing for God to pour out His anointing, favour, hope, encouragement and presence upon us; “Pour Your Anointing” is a great way to end the EP. With “I Love Your Name” rounding out the 4 tracks, a CCM/electronic melody to encourage us all with a song to sing whenever we are discouraged or feeling spiritually dry; the band are able to enthusiastically declare out how ‘…my soul cries out, how I love Your name, You have won my heart, You’ve freed me from my shame…’ With this song being utilised as a melody for us to cry out unified to God, knowing that in the enormity of what He has done, all we can do is call out in reverence and praise; Broken State have once again shown us what raw, emotive, enjoyable, and poignant British worship can look like!
Broken State– a band from Reading U.K., will now be known (at least by myself) as a band that has the potential to rise up and be a great big band of the future, both in the U.K. and around the world. Like bands before them (Delirious?) and currently (LZ7, Rend Collective, Bluetree); British worship bands have been few and far between when it comes to the sheer volume of CCM bands in America- but what Britain does produce is quality (in these aforementioned British bands above). Broken State is no different. While it may take some time for Britain to house the amount of CCM bands as America does, it is well on its way with Broken State, one of the most unique worship bands to release a debut album this year since Bellarive in 2012. Well done guys for such a poignant and inspiring EP!
3 songs to listen to: For Your Glory, I Love Your Name, Pour Your Anointing
Score: 4/5
RIYL: Matt Redman, LZ7, Delirious?, Bluetree, Rend Collective