Zion, the new album from Hillsong United

Anticipation is building for the release of the next Hillsong United project on 26 February.

Zion will be the 12th full-length album and third studio recording from the band, and follows on from their bestselling 2011 release, Aftermath.

United are promising a fresh sound that is noticeably different from past projects while retaining that United feel that has captivated fans around the world.

"In the aftermath of Aftermath, we all took a little break and in that time caught a fresh vision for what it is that we do, why we do it, and what it means to be a part of the church," reveals United's Joel Houston.

This time it is all about passionate, uncluttered and intimate worship.

"The realisation that God is doing His thing, and He has already done it." That's the point of the album for Houston.

"He is establishing His Church, and it's through us. The album was birthed out of our cry, 'God I want to be a part of what it is you're doing. If that means write a song, we'll write the best songs we can," he says.

"If it means serving the poor and those who are hurting, then we're going to do it better than we've ever done it before.'"

Zion features 13 tracks, starting with the opening track "Relentless". The title track "Zion" is instrumental, while "Heartbeat" is a prayer.

The deluxe version includes bonus songs, remixed versions and a video, "Welcome to Zion".

"Everything we do as United, from writing and recording these songs, to playing them in front of people and all the production, is an expression of a really extraordinary God doing what only He can do through really ordinary people who love Him and want to serve Him," Houston explains.

"I hope these songs, in some way, are an encouragement for people everywhere."