MARCUS CHEONG listens to Bethel Music’s latest…
Bethel Music
Peace, Vol. II
In a Word: Soothing
“It is a timely release, as the tumultuous events of the past two years have seen a rise in stress levels and anxiety across the globe. Peace, Vol II fulfills the promise in its title and is sure to bring a sense calm wherever it is played.”
Since their first album, Here is Love, in 2010, Bethel Music has produced some of the most influential worship music that can now be heard in churches all around the world. Their latest album Peace, Vol II is a collection of mellow, soothing tracks designed to create an atmosphere that is ethereal, relaxing and healing.
Unlike their live albums, that capture the feeling of a rousing, anthemic megachurch worship session, this studio recorded album has been intentionally produced to induce a far more subdued soundscape. They have gone so far to utilise “bilateral sound,” which is the rhythmic oscillation of audio signals from the left and right speakers, together with frequencies that have been “scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety”. These mellow sounds combined with worship lyrics based on the Word of God create an experience that is deeply meditative.
Familiar songs such as Way Maker, It is Well, Battle Belongs have an almost pastorale sound with rushing water, mountain breezes, birds chirping and other natural sounds woven into the instrumentation. Peace, Vol II features an ensemble of Bethel Music artists as well as special guests Phil Wickham, Lauren Daigle, We The Kingdom, and Pat Barrett. They all embrace to ethos of the album and perform with intimacy and tenderness.
It is a timely release, as the tumultuous events of the past two years have seen a rise in stress levels and anxiety across the globe. Peace, Vol II fulfills the promise in its title and is sure to bring a sense calm wherever it is played.
