Real-life joy and sorrow inspire Brenton Brown's next release

Modern worship songwriter/artist Brenton Brown releases his full-length album, Adoration, February 23 from Kingsway with distribution by EMI CMG.

The album was initially released in the UK under the title Because of Your Love. It has been repacked and expanded and will also release for the first time in the US. It features a brand new song, “A Thousand Stars”, a new version of “Adoration”, a remix of “Amazing God”, and re-recordings of Brenton’s classic congregational favorites “Holy” and “All Who Are Thirsty”.

A collaborative effort, Adoration showcases an impressive musical team surrounding Brenton’s own guitar work and vocals. Musicians on the album include drummers Aaron Sterling (Natasha Bedingfield, Brooke Frasier, Miley Cyrus) and Ben Showalter (Chris Rice, Tim Hughes, Shaun Groves); guitarists Dwayne Larring (Sonic Flood, Kelly Clarkson), Gary Burnette (Taylor Swift, Etta James, Mark Schultz) and Scotty Murray; bassists Akil Thompson (Mandisa, Natalie Grant, Nicole C. Mullen) and Tree63’s Daniel Ornellas; and noted vocalists Matt Maher, Paul Baloche, Sarah MacIntosh (Chasing Furies), Kathryn Scott and African Children’s Choir (on “A Thousand Stars”).

Well-known songwriters and long-time friends Paul Baloche, Matt Maher and others share co-writing credits on the album, as Brenton and Jude Brown, along with Jason Ingram (Bebo Norman, Aaron Shust, Jim Brickman) and Paul Moak (Mat Kearney, Shane & Shane, Derek Webb), share producing responsibilities.

The album was engineered and mixed by Joe Baldridge (Toby Mac, Tree63) with additional engineering by Paul Moak and Rusty Varenkamp (tobyMac, David Crowder Band, Mute Math).

While recording with some of the best musical talent to be found, for Brenton, making records is not about a career, but instead a response to what God has done and how his faith has grown. Adoration reflects the struggles of life and the glories of heaven, drawing the listener closer to the mysterious, all consuming heart of God.

The current radio single, “Adoration”, is an expression of hope as he and his wife, Jude, went through the painful loss of a stillborn baby girl, Gracie, and the terror of nine months of pregnancy before the eventual joy with the healthy birth of his daughter, Bella.

Speaking about this with incredible honesty, as well as a profound sense of God’s healing in place, Brenton describes the experience: “Our hearts were broken right at the start of what should have been a promising life. It was hard to imagine that there could ever be a happy ending. But we resolved to fall upon the Lord.”

“We can think that ‘most’ of what we need is found in Him,” continues Brenton. “Most, but somehow not quite all of it. Yet what brought us hope and encouragement is the fact that this life is not all there is to the story. The upward call of Christ draws us to the elements that continue.”

The lyrics of the song “Adoration” are anchored in the deeply personal trauma of birth and death, yet remain universal and inspiring for all:

We bow our hearts, we lift our hands,
we turn our eyes to you again
And we surrender to the truth
that all we need is found in You

Receive our adoration
Jesus Lamb of God
Receive our adoration,
How wonderful you are

For Brenton and Jude, the truth is simple: “We didn’t just receive comfort and strength, but the knowledge that our little girl Gracie is with Him, and that one day we will be reunited with her,” says Brenton.

"That’s where the words in the bridge come from: Every soul you've saved sings out / everything you've made resounds / all creation's standing now / lifting up your name / We're joining in the angel's song / we're gathered to your ancient throne / children in our Father's arms / shouting out your praise.”

Brenton Brown has written five CCLI’s Top 100 songs that are being sung by millions in churches all around the world, as well as played in concert venues and recorded on albums by an acclaimed group of artists, such as Chris Tomlin, Rebecca St. James, Lincoln Brewster and Flyleaf’s Lacey Mosely. His song “Everlasting God” was honoured by ASCAP as one of the most performed songs in the USA in 2007 across all genres, marking the first time that a worship song has been recognised with such an honour.

Raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Brenton attended Oxford University in England as a Rhodes scholar studying political, philosophical and theological coursework before discovering a new style of worship spearheaded by the Vineyard Church and eventually participating in the movement’s first recordings led by worship leader Brian Doerksen, Come Now Is The Time and Hungry.

Brenton also co-produced two Vineyard UK recordings, Surrender and Holy, and was worship pastor at the Oxford Vineyard, UK. Brenton now resides in Malibu, California, as his songs reverberate around the world. In addition the songs mentioned above, Brenton has written such modern classics as “Your Love is Amazing” and “Humble King”.

More information on Brenton can be found at www.BrentonBrown.com.