Zion (Hillsong United album)

Zion
Studio album by Hillsong United
Released 22 February 2013
Recorded 2012
Genre Contemporary worship music, contemporary Christian music
Length 70:14
Label Hillsong, Sparrow
Producer Michael Guy Chislett, Joel Houston (executive producer)
Hillsong United studio album chronology
Aftermath
(2011)		 Zion
(2013)		 Empires
(2015)
Hillsong United chronology
Live In Miami
(2012)		 Zion
(2013)		 Zion Acoustic Sessions
(2013)
Singles from Zion
  1. "Scandal of Grace"
    Released: 5 February 2013
  2. "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"
    Released: 10 September 2013

Zion is the third studio album by Australian contemporary worship music band Hillsong United, a worship band from Hillsong Church. It was released on 22 February 2013 for Australia, and was released by 26 February 2013 internationally, under Hillsong Music and Sparrow Records.[1] Production for the album began in March 2011 in Sydney, Australia. Michael Guy Chislett and band member Joel Houston oversaw production of the album, with the latter serving as executive producer.

Two singles were released to promote the album: "Scandal of Grace" on 5 February 2013, and "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" on 10 September 2013.

Background

Hillsong United gave an interview to CCM Magazine's Grace Cartwright Aspinwall about the album.[2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[3]
CCM Magazine[4]
Christian Broadcasting Network[5]
Christian Music Zine[6]
Cross Rhythms[7]
[8]
Indie Vision Music[9]
Jesus Freak Hideout[10]
[11]
Louder Than the Music[12]
New Release Today[13]
Worship Leader[14]

Zion garnered praise from the ratings and reviews of music critics. At Christian Broadcasting Network, Hannah Goodwyn rated the album four-and-a-half spins, writing that "The music, the lyrics, the movement, it all comes together in Zion."[5] Matt Conner of CCM Magazine rated the album four stars, stating that this is yet "Another strong United release."[4] Andrea Hunter of Worship Leader rated the album four-and-a-half stars, writing that listeners will "find songs across generations and traditions to honor God and transform hearts."[14] At Cross Rhythms, Tony Cummings rated the album a perfect ten squares, saying that the band "have released a peach of an album".[7] In addition, Cross Rhythms' Stephen Curry rated the album a perfect ten squares, indicating how the release contains "a variety of sounds and moments of creativity", and the band "should be applauded for their subtle but brave changes in musical direction."[8] Ryan Barbee of Jesus Freak Hideout rated the album four-and-a-half stars, stating that he takes his hat off due "to your art."[10] According to Scott Fryberger of Jesus Freak Hideout, who rated the album four stars, says that this is "the best album United has ever released".[11] Jonathan Andre of Indie Vision Music rated the album four stars, writing that the release "is full of lyrically rich themes and messages against the backdrop of electronic music that presents a unique way of creating worship music".[9] At New Release Today, Mary Burklin rated the album four-and-a-half stars, stating that "a richly textured release that manages to achieve an intimate, organic feel despite the band's massive international reach."[13] David Jeffries of AllMusic rated the album three-and-a-half stars, writing that the release is "just a touch overstuffed."[3] At Louder Than the Music, Jono Davies rated the album a perfect five stars, remarking how the release is "Epic, Brilliant and Original."[12] Emily Kjonaas of Christian Music Zine rated the album three-and-a-half stars, saying that "this is a great worship album that will help you keep your focus on Christ."[6]

Commercial performance

Zion is Hillsong United's most successful album to date, with 34,100 units being sold in its first week. It sold 25% more than Aftermath, allowing it to debut at number five on the US Billboard 200.[15] The album was also their seventh No.1 on the US Christian Albums chart.[16] The album has sold 169,000 copies in the US as of May 2015.[17]

The album debuted at No. 1 on the Australian Albums Chart[18] and has since been certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association for sales exceeding 35,000 copies.[19]

Track listing

Standard edition[1]
No.TitleWriter(s)Worship leaderLength
1."Relentless"  Matt Crocker, Joel HoustonMatt Crocker[20]5:09
2."Up in Arms"  Joel HoustonJoel Houston4:27
3."Scandal of Grace"  Crocker, Houston, Ben TennikoffMatt Crocker[7]4:05
4."Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"  Crocker, Houston, Salomon LigthelmTaya Smith[21]8:55
5."Stay and Wait"  HoustonJoel Houston5:12
6."Mercy Mercy"  Crocker, HoustonMatt Crocker4:41
7."Love Is War"  HoustonJad Gillies[20]7:15
8."Nothing Like Your Love"  Sam KnockJad Gillies[20]5:51
9."Zion" (Interlude)Michael Guy Chislett, Knock, TennikoffJad Gillies3:31
10."Heartbeats"  Chislett, Crocker, Houston, TennikoffMatt Crocker[20]3:53
11."A Million Suns"  Scott Ligertwood, Dean UssherCarli Marino, [22] Laura Toggs,[23] Taya Smith[21]5:05
12."Tapestry"  Chislett, Crocker, Houston, Ligertwood, TennikoffJonathan Douglass, Taya Smith6:42
13."King of Heaven"  Crocker, Ligthelm, Ryan TaubertMatt Crocker[20]5:28
Total length:1:10:14

Personnel

Hillsong United
Additional musicians
Production

Source: Allmusic[26] and Zion booklet.

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2013) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[18] 1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[27] 152
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[28] 29
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[29] 39
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[30] 8
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[31] 5
UK Albums (OCC)[32] 55
UK Christian and Gospel Albums (OCC)[33] 1
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[34] 10
US Billboard 200[35] 5
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[36] 1

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Australia (ARIA)[19] Gold 35,000^
United States (RIAA)[37] Gold 500,000double-dagger

^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

  1. 1 2 "iTunes Store (US) - Music - Hillsong UNITED - Zion". iTunes Store (US). 26 February 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  2. ↑ Aspinwall, Grace Cartwright (1 March 2013). "Here and Now: Hillsong United and the Kingdom of God at Hand". CCM Magazine. pp. 42–44. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  3. 1 2 Jeffries, David (26 February 2013). "Zion - Hillsong United : Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  4. 1 2 Conner, Matt (1 March 2013). "Hillsong United: Zion (Integrity)". CCM Magazine. p. 46. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  5. 1 2 Goodwyn, Hannah (26 February 2013). "Hillsong United, Zion: Review". Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  6. 1 2 Kjonaas, Emily (26 February 2013). "Hillsong United - Zion (Review)". Christian Music Zine. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 Cummings, Tony (15 March 2013). "Review: Zion Deluxe Edition - Hillsong United". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  8. 1 2 Curry, Stephen (28 May 2014). "Review: Zion - Hillsong United". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  9. 1 2 Andre, Jonathan (1 March 2013). "Hillsong UNITED - ZION". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  10. 1 2 Barbee, Ryan (24 February 2013). "Hillsong United, "Zion" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  11. 1 2 Fryberger, Scott (16 February 2013). "Hillsong United, "Zion" Review: Second Staff Opinion". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  12. 1 2 Davies, Jono (21 December 2012). "Hillsong United - Zion - Review". Louder Than the Music. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  13. 1 2 Burklin, Mary (26 February 2013). "Songs for the Kingdom". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  14. 1 2 Hunter, Andrea (26 February 2013). "Zion". Worship Leader. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  15. ↑ "Hillsong United's Album Claims Their Highest Ever Billboard Debut". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  16. ↑ "Hillsong Church album Zion cracks US Billboard chart top 5". news.com.au. March 8, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Upcoming Releases". Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on 15 May 2015.
  18. 1 2 "Australiancharts.com – Hillsong – United Zion". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  19. 1 2 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 Watson, Kathryn (June 3, 2015). "Hillsong UNITED Vocalists: Who Sings What on 'Empires' and 'Zion'". BreatheCast. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  21. 1 2 "Taya Smith - Hillsong Collected". Hillsong.com. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  22. ↑ "A Million Suns by Hillsong United". LyricsforJesus. Lyrics for Jesus. Retrieved 20 July 2016. Lead Vocals by Carly Marino
  23. ↑ "A Million Suns Song Story - Hillsong UNITED". YouTube. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2015. The other thing is that I got Laura to sing the vocal...
  24. 1 2 "iTunes Store (US) - Music - Hillsong UNITED - Zion (Deluxe Edition)". iTunes Store (US). 26 February 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  25. 1 2 Zion album liner notes
  26. ↑ "Zion - Credits". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  27. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Hillsong – United Zion" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  28. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Hillsong – United Zion". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  29. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Hillsong – United Zion" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  30. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Hillsong – United Zion". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  31. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Hillsong – United Zion". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  32. ↑ "Hillsong Worship | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  33. ↑ "Official Christian and Gospel Albums Chart". Official Charts Company.
  34. ↑ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  35. ↑ "Hillsong United – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Hillsong United. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  36. ↑ "Hillsong United – Chart history" Billboard Christian Albums for Hillsong United. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  37. ↑ "American album certifications – Hillsong United – Zion". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 16 June 2016. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
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