In a music landscape defined by high-profile, cross-genre collaborations and short attention spans, Phil Wickham bucks the trends of the day with “Song Of The Saints,” his new 16-track collection void of features — with the exception of a small cameo from the late Billy Graham — and a title cut that clocks in at just over six minutes.
While the first 10 years of Wickham’s career were a slow burn, the second decade has seen the seasoned worship leader rise to the forefront, emerging as one of the genre’s most gifted songwriters. “Song Of The Saints” stokes the fire Wickham ignited with 2021’s “Hymn Of Heaven” and 2023’s GRAMMY®-nominated “I Believe.”
Before the project even released, Wickham had two singles simultaneously climbing the charts. Album introduction “The King Is In The Room” logged the SoCal native a Top 5 hit. Meanwhile, “What An Awesome God,” a remake of Rich Mullins’ classic “Awesome God,” became a multi-week No. 1. The early chart-topper provided a standout moment during this year’s “Summer Worship Nights” tour with Brandon Lake. Across the outing, the two friends also debuted “So So Good,” the LP’s opening selection, which boasts of the unending goodness of God with an infectious chorus that was made for the arenas and stadiums where the pair premiered the explosive anthem throughout July and August.
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Further down the track list, Wickham once again zeroes in on the inherent kindness of our Heavenly Father on “God Is Good,” a bluesy, Gospel-inflected original that opens up new sonic territory for the K-LOVE Fan Award winner, whose voice sounds just as at home on the R&B-tinged offering as it does on his traditional pop.
He dives even deeper into previously uncharted sonic waters on “What If I Told You,” on which he helms a hip-hop cadence to deliver an unabashed presentation of the Gospel, complete with an invitation from one of history’s greatest evangelists, the late Billy Graham.
If his brief foray into hip-hop isn’t your preference, however, “Song Of The Saints” delivers ample quintessential Wickham. Following in the footsteps of signature offerings like “Hymn Of Heaven” and “I Believe,” the title cut serves as a doctrine of his personal theology, uniting believers under the unchanging tenants of the faith.
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Anchor track “Homesick For Heaven” — an obvious gem — is a masterclass in articulate lyricism. The building, wistful original finds the father of four longing for eternity and painting a stunning visual of the afterlife.
While the worshipful “Flowers” hints at Wickham’s poetic pen, it’s deep cut “Running To A Runaway” that is far and away the album’s shining pinnacle. Reminiscent of Wickham’s earliest work, the sprawling, passionate ballad reads like a poem of rescue and gratitude, with Wickham’s vocal and lyrical prowess at peak performance.
Wedged between new originals are also some timeless hymns. Wickham lends his voice to Bill and Gloria Gaither’s “Because He Lives,” sharing a recorded moment he’s long incorporated into his live show. Additionally, on “Wondrous Cross,” he reimagines “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross,” giving the well-known standard a new chorus in the same way Chris Tomlin elevated “Amazing Grace” with his “My Chains Are Gone” version.
“Song Of The Saints” concludes with “The Stand,” a familiar refrain originally carried around the world by UNITED. Wickham and Lake’s live performance of “The Stand” marked another unforgettable moment on “Summer Worship Nights,” and Wickham’s recording reminds listeners why the single quickly became a staple in church worship sets in the mid-2000s.
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Not only does Wickham serve up fresh anthems of praise on “Song Of The Saints,” but he also handpicks songs woven into the fabric of worship music that have marked him personally. In turn, his own unique renderings of these selections will now leave an impression on an entirely new generation.
Both vocally and sonically, Wickham intentionally stretches himself, treading unexpected ground and proving he isn’t afraid to evolve. At its core, “Song Of The Saints” stands on the shoulders of both those who have gone before him and the solid catalog he himself has built one consistent release at a time. “Song Of The Saints” offers a vernacular of praise to a generation hungry for truth; and Wickham cements his place as a trusted voice and a modern-day psalmist across all 16 tracks.
In celebration of “Song Of The Saints,” Wickham is scheduled to headline a sold-out album release concert at the K-LOVE Center in Franklin, Tennessee, the day the record drops. Serving as the first ticketed event at the new K-LOVE building, the show will be livestreamed on K-LOVE’s YouTube channel and will later be available on K-LOVE On Demand.
