Capitol CMG
Release Date: February 16th 2024
Reviewed by: Jonathan Andre
TAYA – Gonna Be Good – Single (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Gonna Be Good
Love them or hate them, think that they are the most inspired and important worship band/movement, or even think that they are committing heresy, whatever your opinion on what I believe is the most talked about worship movement of our time; no one can deny the significance of Hillsong (Worship, UNITED and Young & Free), be it for the positive or even for the negative. There are a million and one different assumptions of this Australian group from Down Under, but by and large, we cannot deny Hillsong’s music has impacted people and the world, ever since…well ever since the songs of the 1990s ‘Shout to the Lord’, ‘Eagle’s Wings’, ‘All Things are Possible’, ‘I Give You My Heart’, ‘My Redeemer Lives’ and ‘The Power of Your Love’, am I right? It’s been years and years since the debut of a little ol’ humble church in the Hills district of Sydney, NSW, but all these years later, a lot of people would have a lot of opinions. And the news and what the media has portrayed about Hillsong (in all its facets) doesn’t really help it all either. Now all we’re left with, as listeners of worship music, is what we know from the news, which is this- that Hillsong NY ex-pastor Carl Lentz placed the name of Hillsong into disrepute because of all of his shenanigans and his infidelity, while currently, Brian Houston is on trial for concealing child sex offences of which was alleged against his father Frank Houston. Brian still maintains his innocence, but now feels as though stepping aside is the better course of action. There’re still folks out there who still say that Hillsong the movement, focus too much on the prosperity doctrine, while many around the world boycott the music and sermons of Hillsong full-stop, to avoid such a ‘problematic’ ministry.
All that is to say, is this- that when Hillsong UNITED singer-songwriter TAYA unveiled her self-titled debut project in May 2022 (2 years ago), I was hesitant to say the least…will I place personal feelings about Hillsong aside, and leap in and listen to TAYA’s solo project without any assumptions or bias? Will I take the art for what it is, even if Hillsong, for all intents and purposes, is doing more ‘harm’ than ‘good’ these days, according to a lot of people around the world? Can I still listen to the music of Hillsong (and TAYA’s full-length album), even though Hillsong’s teaching has been deemed by some to be dubious, harmful, and downright heretical? Those are the million dollar questions, right? The way I try to see it is this- that even though Hillsong has a whole lot ‘wrong’ with it at the moment, I still believe the Lord can still work through something ‘problematic’. I’ve never listened to Hillsong’s sermons, nor have I actually purchased a Hillsong album in some time.
And yet, I still hear Hillsong’s music via Spotify, because as much as people wouldn’t really admit it, I still believe the Lord can speak through their music…and He does. Songs like ‘Oceans’, ‘Say the Word’, ‘Touch the Sky’, ‘Not Today’, ‘This is Living’, ‘Wonder’, ‘Shadow Step’, ‘So Will I’, ‘Another In the Fire’, ‘Good Grace’, ‘Whole Heart (Hold Me Now)’, ‘Even When It Hurts’ and ‘Scandal of Grace’ are just some of the many songs Hillsong (UNITED at least) has delivered to us listeners, in the years that have gone by. And yes, their preaching, from what I know here and there, leaves much to be desired. But their music is top notch. And the Lord is working through their music if nothing else. And so, when TAYA unveiled her solo album 2 years ago, I was really intrigued and excited to dive deep into one of the most recognisable voices in all of Hillsong music history. I reviewed the album (which can be seen here), and all in all, I stated that I personally enjoyed the album, especially the songs like ‘For All My Life’, ‘Glory Hallelujah’ and ‘Carry Me Home’. I expected a few more upbeat songs on TAYA’s album, with similar paces like that on ‘Shadow Step’, ‘Say the Word’ and ‘Not Today’, but for what it’s worth, and what the album is (a reflective album in light of everything about Hillsong), it’s a job well done. Now in 2024, TAYA has unveiled another song (from a potential sophomore album coming TBA, or just a standalone single, is anyone’s guess), this time it’s a piano-pop upbeat banger called ‘Gonna Be Good’. Accompanied by a bright-coloured music video that visualises the colours and brightness that we feel when we know that life is ‘gonna be good’ with the Lord by our side leading the way in our lives; TAYA creates a joyous moment of declaration and praise, and a song that’s destined to be in your head for the remainder of the year. Well done TAYA for this BOP of a song. Looking forward to the next album, whenever that may be.
Score: 4.5/5
RIYL: Chris Tomlin, Passion, Bethel Music, David Leonard, Leeland