Yes, We Believe Album Review

Paul Baloche: Yes We Believe (Live) Album Review

It’s been several years since I’ve sat down and listened to an entire album from start to finish. I didn’t go into this album expecting to write a review—I simply wanted to hear the heart behind it and see the picture Paul painted.

I’ve followed Paul for as long as I’ve been leading worship. I led his songs as a 16-year-old kid in my youth group. I went to his worship trainings. I rolled my eyes in my 20s (Lord forgive me), and now at 40, I’ve realized something: Paul is a unicorn.

When you look across the landscape of worship leaders who started when he did and what they are doing now, Paul is in a class of his own. Paul did not ask me to write this, and no one asked me to review this. These are simply my raw thoughts. Paul has continually resourced the local church year after year with heartfelt songs that feel intentionally written for local worship leaders. I know lots of worship artists are writing songs with churches in mind, but this album feels very different. It checked several boxes for me while I was listening.

First, it’s Biblical

It sounds wild to say, but having an entire album of songs with direct Scripture references is not the norm. Paul and the various writers who worked on this album were intentional with what they said and how they said it. I believe that, depending on your church’s needs, you can find something from every song on this album and lead it with confidence.

Second, it has a balanced diet

What’s a balanced diet? All worship albums—and specifically worship sets for church services—need a healthy balance of the five types of songs: songs of high praise, songs of reflection toward the cross, songs of repentance and correction, songs of felt needs and comfort, and songs of awe and wonder. This album has everything. As I listened from top to bottom and back again, I saw several aspects of God’s nature. I was reminded of things He has done, things He is going to do, and things He did that I never saw. Paul was very intentional with these songs, and I feel it when I listen.

Third, it’s church first, artist second.
Paul posted a video when the album came out where he specifically mentioned thinking about the keys of these songs. His whole team spent time rehearsing and trying them in multiple keys to make sure people could actually sing them.

All too often, the key of a song is chosen with the artist in mind, but Paul was deliberate in thinking about the congregations who would be singing these songs.

Fourth, it’s not overproduced.
In a world where MultiTracks and Loop Community are widely used in churches, Paul and the producers leaned into great parts first instead of stacking layers. You can listen to this album and actually pick out individual parts. Each musician did a stellar job, and the mix is beautiful.

Now let’s talk about the songs…

Magnify (Just For A Moment)
Written by Paul Baloche, Benji Cowart, and Jess Cates

I’d put this in my weekend rotation right now. Opener songs that don’t feel like youth camp are hard to come by these days. Like I said earlier, the intentionality in the writing is a constant thread. “Just for a moment, can we fix our eyes on Jesus” opens the song and reminds the entire room why we gather and sing as a church. Each line that follows stays in that same vein. The verses remind me of what Paul talks about in Colossians regarding songs of encouragement. I can imagine these lines being spoken to one another—encouraging each of us to remember our calling to follow Jesus. The chorus lifts into a beautiful proclamation of high praise, celebrating who God is: “Magnify, magnify, the Holy One, glorify. Lift Him up, the Lord Most High, Jesus.”

Yes, We Believe
Written by Paul Baloche, Mitch Wong, Benji Cowart

Proclamations of what we believe are a category of song I’d love to hear more of. The verses ask the questions, and the chorus answers them. As you listen, you become more encouraged with each line. The bridge puts a final bow on the statement: “In the Father, and the Son, and the Spirit. In the power, in the name of Jesus… yes, yes we believe!”

O Freedom
Written by Paul Baloche, Leslie Jordan, and Sarah Quaglia

Why do I not have more worship/country hybrid music in my life? That’s what I want to know. My hat is off to Ben Gowell and Brady Neely for the killer guitar parts. Whoever is doing the chicken pickin’—I love it. And the solo is chef’s kiss. This song feels classic and fresh at the same time, and you cannot listen to it without a giant grin on your face.

Stand In Awe
Written by Paul Baloche, Chris Davenport, Jess Cates, Kristian Stanfill, Travis Doucette

When I think about songs centered on the cross, the usual approach is referencing the act of Christ dying for our sins. This song does something unique—it approaches it from the standpoint of what the cross provides: healing, wholeness, and freedom. The verses celebrate these truths, and the chorus simply thanks Jesus: “For all You’ve done and all You are, thank You, Jesus.” The bridge ties it all together in one triumphant statement.

Behold Him
Written by Mitch Wong & Paul Baloche

This song sits in a fascinating place—it’s both high praise and awe and wonder. What I love most is how the verses inform the chorus. What is my response to a God who existed before light, who wrote the pages of time, who made every living thing? My response is to behold Him. Marya Ade can absolutely sing the paint off the walls. Also, anytime I find a great duet worship song, it’s immediately added to the queue. Our church uses multiple worship leaders, and duets are like gold.

Crowned In Victory
Written by Paul Baloche & Brenton Brown

Yes, that Brenton Brown. Straight from the book of Revelation, this song works as a standalone or as a tag onto countless others. The chorus is absolutely stuck in my head—I’ve caught myself singing it multiple times this week without even thinking.

As The Deer
Written by Martin J. Nystrom

This moment is short but so beautiful. The first time I heard “Crowned in Victory” flow into this, I bawled like a baby. I was driving, and it hit me like a 2x4. Paul, thank you for this moment. It’s so tender and authentic.

Reliant
Written by Paul Baloche, Mark Alan Schoolmeesters, Jonathan Gamble

“Where else can I go? What else can I turn to?”
This pre-chorus hits me so hard—and then it launches into the chorus. I can’t decide if this is my favorite song. It’s such a powerful way to write a prayer about hard times. We can focus on the difficulty, or we can remind ourselves that the Lord is our provider. A huge percentage of churchgoers’ theology comes from worship songs. This is the kind of chorus I want stuck in their heads. Jessie Harris—I need to speak with you. I was not prepared for your voice. Like a stick of butter on the sidewalk in my Texas hometown in August. Never. Stop. Singing.

To Him
Written by Paul Baloche, Mark Alan Schoolmeesters, Andrew Holt

This is my favorite. Decision made. I’ve listened to it at least twenty times, and I cannot get enough. I’ve sent it to every worship leader I know. This is the perfect song to end a set. You can loop it, build it, sit in it—it just works. I feel the Lord’s presence every time I listen. When you get to the bridge, find something sturdy to hold onto.
“All glory belongs to Him” wrecks me every time.

To Him Who Sits On The Throne
Written by Debbye Graafsma

You’re not ready. No matter what you tell me—you’re not. I grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, and my mom played this song constantly. I’m honestly tearing up thinking about how meaningful this moment is in the album. Marya Ade leads it beautifully, and you can hear the room respond.

Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)
Written by Paul Baloche and Brenton Brown

This song is my youth. I cut my teeth on this as a young worship leader. I love the fresh update Paul and his team gave it. And thank you for keeping the guitar solo—I remember struggling through that as a young player.

I can tend to be hyperbolic, but I’m trying to be objective here—I love this album. I listen to a ton of worship music, and this was a breath of fresh air. There are a lot of people involved in a project like this, and they deserve to be mentioned:

Drums: Daniel “DLo” Lopez (absurd)
Bass: Michael Rossback (pocket)
Keys: Luis Felipe Vargas & Mark Alan Schoolmeesters (delicious)
Guitars: Brady Neely & Ben Gowell (magnificent)
Organ: Ari Heinekanen (perfect)
Vocalists: Matthew Harris, Jessie Harris, & Marya Ade (otherworldly)

This album was produced by Sean Keys and Paul Baloche. The arrangements are thoughtful, and Paul—your voice sounds incredible on every track.