Review Summary: As the deer panteth for the water...
Throughout the years, Gungor has implemented numerous styles of music to accompany their worshipful songwriting and composition. From the emotionally raw folk of
Ghosts Upon The Earth to the lush ambient synths of
One Wild Life, the husband-wife duo have amassed immense expertise in a variety of genres. With their newest release,
Praise is a compact effort that displays the strength of Gungor’s discography alongside some of their most spiritually influenced lyrics in their career.
Praise is like a crescendo of praise, swiftly flowing from emphatic praise to somber, peaceful meditation and reflection. “Here I Am” boasts a heavily electronic beat filled with pulsating synths and reverberated guitar harmonies accentuated by subtle acoustics. With soulful melodies and choir-like vocal chaining, the track establishes itself as a statement of being in the presence of God, ready to worship. “Here We Are” leans more into the electronic and synthetic nature of Gungor’s style, relying on lush ambiance that ebbs and flows with brilliance. The opening lyrical imagery reminiscent of
Praise’s cover sets the transition to the reflective and meditative of the EP, displayed through the tracks comforting atmosphere and progression. “Delerious?” hearkens back to the duo’s early days, stripping away the electronics and opting for a raw, acoustically led progression. The beautiful contrast of the two’s vocal melodies alongside the rising orchestration and layered string plucking crafts a graciously somber moment to close out
Praise.
Although the entirety of the project relies on the lyrical phrases from Christian hymns and worship/praise songs, Gungor’s ability to create diverse and engaging compositions provides an authentic and unique experience. Despite its runtime,
Praise’s compact design grants a short but sweet dive into the power of worship. Whether through lavish atmosphere or endearing acoustics, Gungor emphasizes only one thing:
Praise.
