I’ll be honest, I wasn’t familiar with Rend Collective prior to this outside of name and album covers. As I immersed myself in their latest record, As Family We Go, I discovered quite a beautiful journey.
For those who, like me, might be new to the Rend Collective family, this band hails from Northern Ireland with a folk-rock feel and faith-based message. As Family We Go opens with an upbeat, almost pop-punk style tune called “Celebrate”. This seemed quite fitting to follow their previous album The Art of Celebration. The song has some surf pop vibes to it and really captures the essence that worship is a celebration.
Out of that song, we move into more familiar Rend Collective territory into a folky, mountaintop feel in “Free As a Bird.” The acoustic guitar and percussion driven song is reminiscent of Mumford & Sons all whilst declaringYour lion heart is alive in me….
After a triumphant declaration of freedom, celebration, and victory, the album moves into a somber moment with “One and Only.” This stripped back ballad is so moving. There is something so powerful in the simple instrumentation accompanying Gareth Gilkeson’s pure and honest vocals singing Jesus, one and only, great and holy, we are yours. How our hearts race at your glory. What a beautiful sentiment that really sets the tone for the rest of the album.
“Your Royal Blood” introduces a soul-driven twist to the a familiar hymn with subtle bluesy guitar riffs and a gospel feeling chorus. Moving from passionate, heartfelt soul into winsome ukulele foot stompers such as “Coming Home” starts to bring the album full circle with poetic lyrics such as Like a wave to the shoreline, I’m coming crashing, home to you. The vocals of Gareth and Ali recall a sweetly harmonious duo such as The Civil Wars or Johnnyswim and you can’t help but tap your foot along to this upbeat number.
The album finishes with a solid rock number that is heavily guitar driven with big vocals proclaiming You make all things bright and beautiful in a track called The Artist. Such a fitting way to describe God and point the entire project back to Jesus.
I was so pleasantly surprised in listening to this album. It was such a well thought out journey to go from celebration and praise, to humble reverence and adoration, to pure awe and admiration of our Creator. The Rend Collective has certainly found a new fan.
By Jenna Frank