A New Hallelujah
Michael W. Smith · 2008
69 min · 15 tracks · pop rock
A blend of uplifting melodies and worshipful lyrics that resonate deeply within contemporary Christian music.
Top tracks — play these first
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Prepare Ye the Way Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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A New Hallelujah — The title track captures the spirit of communal worship, with an anthemic chorus that invites participation from listeners, making it a staple in church settings.
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Mighty to Save — This powerful rendition of a modern worship classic encapsulates hope and redemption, highlighting Smith's vocal prowess and emotional delivery.
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Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) — Smith's reimagined version of this timeless hymn combines traditional elements with contemporary sounds, offering fresh relevance while honoring its legacy.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong melodies and worshipful lyrics but follows familiar structures within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a spoken intro that transitions into a series of worship songs, maintaining a consistent mid-tempo throughout the first half.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, creating a rich, communal sound characteristic of contemporary worship music.
- The last three tracks slow down significantly, with 'I Surrender All' and 'Help Is on the Way' emphasizing reflective themes and softer instrumentation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- uplifting melodies for worship
- dynamic flow with reflective moments
- joyful participation in gatherings
- heartfelt expressions of faith
- cathartic release through singing
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone singles only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Released in a well-established phase, it reinforces Smith's influence in worship music.
- Career context
- When 'A New Hallelujah' was released in 2008, Michael W. Smith was already a well-established figure in the Christian music scene, known for his multi-decade career that included numerous chart-topping albums. This album followed his previous work, 'Stand', and marked a return to his worship roots, showcasing his ability to connect with both longtime fans and newer audiences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Amy Grant· Steven Curtis Chapman· Chris Tomlin
Tracklist
- 1 Prepare Intro 1:00
- 2 Prepare Ye the Way Start here 5:05
- 3 A New Hallelujah 5:47
- 4 When I Think of You 4:28
- 5 Mighty to Save 7:53
- 6 Shout Unto God 4:08
- 7 Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) 5:34
- 8 Deep in Love With You 6:32
- 9 Healing Rain / Let It Rain 3:20
- 10 Majesty 4:19
- 11 I Surrender All 3:51
- 12 Grace 4:21
- 13 MWS Sharing 1:44
- 14 Help Is on the Way 5:16
- 15 The River Is Rising 5:41
What to play next
Wonder
2010
Continues the uplifting themes with a fresh sound and engaging melodies.
Stand
2006
Sets the stage with powerful worshipful energy leading into A New Hallelujah.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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