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Hillsong Young and Free ; How their music empowers the youth today

How the youth can change the world

There is an old saying I remember that came from our National Hero, Jose Rizal, which says; "The youth is the future of our country." And I do firmly believe so. In these times, the era of millennials, the youth has brought about great change to our world. Anything that ignites our passion from within drives us to do something about it; becoming activists, speaking out our mind, and creating movements that encourages everyone to open their eyes to what is happening within the world we live in today.

Empowerment through Music

In these days of my youth, I have had first-hand experiences on such powerful movements, that even I, myself, became a member of one. For me, the most passionate movement I've seen so far is none other than the youth serving the High and Almighty: the Christian youth. It's basically like having fun, teenage style, only centralized more on Jesus and doing what he wants us to do. 

One of the ways we express our worship for God is through music. Okay, okay, I know what you're probably thinking; old organ music with slow tempos and bellowing voices that well, we claim as 'boring' (oh don't you deny it, you thought this at least once in your life). I do to, you know. 

Well, like I fore-mentioned, the Christian Youth's way of worshiping has an added mix to it. Yes, of course we still have slow songs, but did I mention CEDM? It's basically Electronic Dance Music, only Christian style (that's why there's a C there obviously). And you don't need to worry about the behavior, it's just our way of channeling that inner passion surging through our soul, and what better way for the youth to do so than using that energy to dance and party for the Lord?

One certain band instantly took my interest in this topic. Sure they're only 3 years in their career, but praise God for their tremendous progress! With 3 tours and 2 albums, they bring CEDM to the next level; with electronic sounds that en-captures the bursting passion within a young soul, lyrics one can absolutely relate to, and aesthetics that the youth loves. 

I am talking about the band no other than: 

Hillsong Young and Free

(Photo taken at June 4, 2016, at the Araneta Colosseum during Hillsong Y&F's 'Youth Revival' Tour)

(Yes, I'm somewhere in the crowd over there.)

Hillsong Young and Free is an Australian Christian youth band dedicated to be the voice of this generation's young followers of Christ. Formed at 2012 in Sydney, Australia, this band spends the entirety of their time living up to their name, which is in fact their 'mission and message' according to their online description. Through their project, they wish to seek out the lost youth and bring good news of unending joy found in Jesus.

The band composes of 16 members, with Aodhan King, Alexander Pappas, Laura Toggs, and Melodie Wagner as the common lead vocals. For the instruments and EDM, here comes in Tyler Douglass, Renee Sieff, Ben Tan, Brendan Tan, Alexander Epa losefa, Tom Furby, Karina Wykes, Jack McGrath, Tracy Pratt, Rhandy Libao, JD Leyble, and Christian-Cowbell. Taya Smith was once a previous member of the band, but later transferred to another band by Hillsong; Hillsong United.

Now, let's talk about their music. Their music is more inclined to the 'contemporary worship music' genre, meaning, the beat, rhythm, and lyrics are closely alike to the usual pop songs heard nowadays. It is, of course, made in a form more applicable and relatable for the youth. The main focal point of every song composed by this band is one thing and one thing only; Jesus Christ.

I am a firsthand witness to how amazing their music is. Not just because I have an excuse to party, but because it portrays a part of the youth's long desire to fill in that 'gap' in our souls, which was always meant for Jesus to fit in. When I was at their concert last year, I was awestruck at how they combined graphic designs and music, along with 4 short clips (or 'acts), to portray the beauty of God, and how it is embodied and carried out through us, giving all young spectators a reminder of their mission as the future of God's ministry.

The album emphasized throughout the concert was their second album; Youth Revival. Trust me, this album (or really, any album of Hillsong Y&F's) will get to channel the vibrant, young soul basically anyone has. 

Some of their famous songs are hand-picked and loved most by the youth, which you might want to check out as well. You don't need to search it all up there in Google, don't worry. Listed below are a few of their well-known songs, and short interpretations provided by yours truly, according to my own experience which I hope is the same that you'll have.

ALBUM: WE ARE YOUNG AND FREE (2013)

• "Alive"- written by Aodhan King and Alexander Pappas; lead by Alexander Pappas

Woah! It's beat alone lives up to it's name. With upbeat beats , fast tempos, and encouraging lyrics, this song voices out the uprising and revival of a lost soul now redeemed and freed by Jesus, making us feel so, 'Alive'!

• "Wake"-written by Joel Davies, Hannah Hobbs, Alexander Pappas; lead by Taya Smith

If this song doesn't serve as a 'Wake' up call to you, I don't know what is. Don't you feel something inside of you waking up? Indeed, this song represents the feeling of having Jesus 'wake' one's sleeping heart from ignorance, evoking us to draw near to the never-ending love of God.

• "Sinking Deep"- written by Joel Davies and Aodhan King; lead by Aaodhan King

Things just got a little more sentimental here, (sniff). 'Sinking Deep' as the titles says, it tells of the unending grace of God, like waves rolling off to the shore, 'grace upon grace, upon grace' (John 1:16). With a more softer tone and a beautiful piano solo, it portrays how we are drowned in such amazing mercy, shown greatly through Jesus' sacrifice.

ALBUM: YOUTH REVIVAL (2016)

• "Where You Are" - written by Michael Fatkin, Benjamin Hastings, Aodhan King, and Alexander Pappas; lead by Aodhan King

Ever had that feeling that you never wanted to leave God's side? Because wherever he may be, unending joy follows. This song kick-started the band's new album, raising over 4 million views as of December! Plus, the vaporwave-like aesthetics utilized in this video appeals to the eyes of everyone, and not just the youth. No wonder it got us dancing our way through life; knowing that God is with us no matter what, no matter when, and no matter where.

• "Real Love" - written by Fatkin, Hannah Hobbs, and Pappas; lead by Pappas

Ah yes, the quest to find 'real love'. Starring a normal young man looking for love at the wrong places, this song perfectly embodies the search of love every youth has done. Unbeknownst to us, perfect, authentic love that can fill that empty hole in our hearts is just a heart's prayer away. Remember, God is love, shown through Jesus, and like the fortune cookie in that video says, "Real love is closer than you know." (Ahem, God)

• "This is Livin'"- written by Davies and King; lead by Aaodhan King ft. Lecrae

"THIS IS LIVIN NOW!", as King proudly sings. Depicted with clips of the youth being, well, young and free, this song gets you jumping and alive in celebration of a life thanks to Jesus. A message of a renewed, more vibrant and meaningful life resounds through this song: "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

• "Passion"- written by King, Bede Benjamin-Korporaal, Ben Tan, and Laura Toggs; lead by Aodhan King and Karina Wykes

Yes yes, it is again, sentimental. Personally, out of all the other songs aforementioned, this is my favorite. As the title says, it relays the ultimate act of "passion" Jesus had done for our sake. Amidst the fear and dread, the pain and torture, he still thought of us. 

This song touches the very heart of our soul, reminding all those who accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, that this very love won us from sin's grasp. This song is a song of our adoration and thanksgiving to Jesus. 

At the ending bridge of the song, where the slow crescendo of the beat perfectly carries the 'feel' to the bridge's lyrics, it sums up the overall feeling of having finally found that one thing ALL of us has been desperately looking for, the one that bridged the gap between man and God:

"I found you..."

Despite all this, it's just really all about JESUS.

Filter all of the music, the lyrics, the production, everything, Hillsong Young and Free is simply carrying out the main message seen in everything they did; Jesus. Yes, part of it was intended for fun and excitement, Young and Free's very heart is the heart of Jesus' ministry; to spread the good news of salvation to all, not just us youth. 

Through all the hectic and wild events happening in our generation today, Young and Free aims to keep the youth anchored to Jesus. And by the grace of God, thousands of lost young souls have been called back to their Creator, and revived those whose souls have been redeemed but seemed to grow astray. 

Young and Free continues to move and empower the youth today as I speak. Even though we may be young, we have a burning passion for Him that can never be extinguished by anybody. It wouldn't be much of an empowering movement without Jesus. All their work, all their efforts, all because of Him and all for Him. This is the voice of Young and Free. This is our voice.

"Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity."

- 1 Timothy 4 : 12