''The Loft Sessions'' is the third album from

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-based worship collective

Bethel Music Bethel Music is an American music label and worship movement from Redding, California, originating out of Bethel Church (Redding, California), Bethel Church where they started making music in 2001. Bethel Music has grown from being a local church ...

. The album was released on January 24, 2012 by Kingsway Music.

Brian Johnson Brian Johnson (born 5 October 1947) is an English singer and songwriter. In 1980, after the death of Bon Scott, he became the third lead singer of the Australian rock band AC/DC. He and the rest of the band were inducted into the Rock and Rol ...

, Daniel James Mackenzie and Rick McDonald produced the album. Prior to the release of the album, Kingsway Music released "Come to Me" which featured the vocals of Jenn Johnson on December 13, 2011 as the lead single of the album.

Background

The album was recorded live over the course of several nights in a refurbished loft in the historic Sherven Square building. The Bethel Music collective gathered with friends and family for the duration of the recordings.

Singles

Kingsway Music released "Come to Me" which featured the vocals of Jenn Johnson in 2011 as the lead single of the album. The song reached number one on the U.S. iTunes Christian Chart.

Critical reception

Jessica Morris of Jesus Freak Hideout rated the album four stars out of a possible five, citing "the musicality and restraint Bethel displays in stripping back the smoke and mirrors is what makes ''The Loft Sessions'' a phenomenal release." and concluded that "each track of this striking album draws the listener deeper into the presence of God and leaves them wanting more of Bethel music, and of Jesus."

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

's Jon O'Brien, affixing a three star rating of the album, believes that Bethel's album was showcasing "a new, organic sound which veers more toward the contemporary nu-folk scene than their usual soft rock fare." The album managed to attain a four star rating average from New Release Today reviewers Kevin Davis and Kelly Sheads. New Release Today's Kevin Davis rated the album four-and-a-half stars, stating that "Every song on this album has quickly become a staple in my playlist of my favorite worship anthems. Every song is worshipful and catchy." Kelly Sheads rated the album three-and-a-half stars, saying "With an eclectic sound and a variety of musical styles, no song is the same, keeping the listener focused on the message within." Elliot Rose of

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rated the album seven out of ten squares, noting the lack of "passion and atmosphere of previous releases". In a review for Louder Than The Music, Jono Davies bestowed the album four-and-a-half stars, recommending "If you're looking for a bunch of songs to use in a time of reflectiveness with God, with a few upbeat happy and non cheesy acoustic songs thrown in, then look no further than ''The Loft Sessions''."

Track listing

Personnel

Adapter from AllMusic. * Brandon Aaronson — bass * Breezy Baldwin — design * Jason Bourneman — soundscape * Ryan Braun — post production assistant * Shannon Clark — set design * Miguel Cruz — camera operator * Cory Fournier — camera operator, gaffer * Steffany Frizzell — background vocals, featured artist, vocals * John-Paul Gentile — acoustic guitar * Kalley Heiligenthal — background vocals * John Hendrickson — drums * Luke Hendrickson — engineer, keyboards * Jordan Jackiew — mixing * Andrew Jackson — engineer *

— acoustic guitar, background vocals, featured artist, vocals * Jenn Johnson — featured artist, vocals * Leah Johnson — background vocals * Timothy Jon — cello * Chris Jones — camera operator * Christiann Koepke — make-up * Matt Lopez — accordion * Daniel James Mackenzie — accordion, acoustic guitar, banjo, bass, electric guitar, engineer, keyboards, producer * Rick McDonald — producer * Jason Miller — photography * Graham Moore — background vocals, percussion * Mike Myers — main personnel * Aaron Rich — camera operator, director, editing * Alexandria Rickett — make-up *

Jeremy Riddle Jeremy Michael Riddle (born October 18, 1977) is an American Christian musician, songwriter, and worship leader, best known for a long tenure as an ensemble leader with Bethel Music. Background Born in Mount Holly Township, New Jersey Jeremy ...

— featured artist, vocals * Martin Rosenhoff — cello * Jeff Schnweeweis — background vocals, engineer, production assistant * Walter Serafini — project coordinator * Drew Small — production assistant * Matt Stinton — featured artist, vocals * Joel Taylor — executive producer * Hunter G.K. Thompson — background vocals, featured artist, vocals * Rebekah Van Tinteren — violin *

Gabriel Wilson Gabriel Solomon Wilson (born October 7, 1974) is an American record producer, Christian musician, multi-instrumentalist. Over the course of his music career, Wilson has produced and written on many projects including John Mark McMillan's ''Mercu ...

Background

Singles

Critical reception

Track listing

Personnel

Charts

Album

Singles

References