Without Words: Genesis (stylized GENESIS) is the fourth remix album by Bethel Music, and their eighteenth full-length overall. It is also the third installment of the Without Words series. It was released on November 15, 2019 through its own imprint label, Bethel Music. Seth Mosley and Lael collaborated on the production of the album.[1]
| Without Words: Genesis | ||||
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| Remix album by | ||||
| Released | November 15, 2019 | |||
| Recorded | 2019 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 67:35 | |||
| Label | Bethel Music | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Bethel Music remix album chronology | ||||
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| Bethel Music chronology | ||||
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Without Words: Genesis was positively received by critics and also attained commercial success, having debuted on the US Christian Albums at No. 6.
Background
editOn November 4, 2019, Bethel Music announced that they will be releasing Without Words: Genesis on November 15.[2] The album is the third installment of the Without Words series, being preceded by Without Words (2013) and Without Words: Synesthesia (2015). The album is an instrumental collection which features the remixed versions of twelve renowned worship songs and seven original interludes.[3] The remixed songs included hits from the Bethel Music community such as "Reckless Love", "Stand in Your Love" and "Raise a Hallelujah" as well as popular songs by other contemporary worship artists such as Hillsong Worship's "What a Beautiful Name" and Elevation Worship's "Do It Again".
Joel Taylor, the CEO of Bethel Music, spoke of how the album's soundscape is interwoven with the story of Creation, saying:
We wanted to tell the story of where it all began: when God the Father created the universe and everything in it, and when He created mankind in His image for His pleasure. Returning to the intimacy of God and man alone in a garden where Adam worshipped Him for the first time, our hope is that Without Words: Genesis creates an intimate space for resting in God’s presence and fills the heart of the listener with awe and wonder of our magnificent Creator. — Joel Taylor[4]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| 365 Days of Inspiring Media | 4.5/5[5] |
| The Christian Beat |   [6] |
| Louder Than the Music |  [7] |
Jonathan Andre shared in his 365 Days of Inspiring Media review that Without Words: Genesis is an album which "hopefully peels back the layers of our own hearts and challenges ourselves into what we perceive worship music and what God wants us to see it as."[5] Reviewing for The Christian Beat, Sarah Baylor stated that the album "gives the worshipper the freedom to worship in different ways," and concluded that it "features skillfully composed songs all while keeping the main theme of each and purposefully drawing the listener into worship."[6] Jono Davies at Louder Than the Music opined that "Yes, the album in the main is reflective, but it also somehow at times has so much more going on. Not only does it have exciting sounds and moments, it also has creative, uplifting sounds that are enjoyable from the off, the album also has so much more to give than just being background music."[7] Sight Magazine's Marcus Cheong gave a favourable review of the album, calling Without Words: Genesis "a confident expression of both praise and artistry."[8]
Accolades
edit| Year | Organization | Award | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | GMA Dove Awards | Instrumental Album of the Year | Nominated | [9] |
| Publication | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 365 Days of Inspiring Media | Top 50 Albums of 2019 | 30
|
Commercial performance
editIn the United States, Without Words: Genesis launched at No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Christian Albums chart dated November 30, 2019.[11]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Light" (Interlude) | 2:04 | |
| 2. | "What a Beautiful Name" |
| 4:56 |
| 3. | "Goodness of God" |
| 4:29 |
| 4. | "Atmospheres" (Interlude) | 2:12 | |
| 5. | "Ain't No Grave" |
| 3:55 |
| 6. | "Living Hope" |
| 4:22 |
| 7. | "Earth & Sea" (Interlude) | 4:11 | |
| 8. | "Stand in Your Love" |
| 4:11 |
| 9. | "Tremble" |
| 3:21 |
| 10. | "Galaxies" (Interlude) | 1:41 | |
| 11. | "No Longer Slaves" |
| 5:02 |
| 12. | "Lion and the Lamb" |
| 4:22 |
| 13. | "Life" (Interlude) | 1:50 | |
| 14. | "This Is a Move" |
| 4:59 |
| 15. | "Raise a Hallelujah" |
| 4:10 |
| 16. | "Mankind" (Interlude) | 1:42 | |
| 17. | "Do It Again" |
| 5:38 |
| 18. | "Reckless Love" |
| 5:18 |
| 19. | "Rest" (Interlude) | 1:29 | |
| Total length: | 67:35 | ||
Charts
editRelease history
edit| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | November 15, 2019 | Bethel Music | [12][15] |
References
edit- ^ Simpson, Courtney (November 5, 2019). "Bethel Music's Latest Instrumental Compilation Bows November 15". JesusWired. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ "Bethel Music's "Without Words: Genesis" Releases Nov. 15 : News : Hallels". Hallels. November 4, 2019. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ Clarks, Jessie (November 5, 2019). "Bethel Music's 'Without Words: Genesis' Reimagines Worship Favorites". The Christian Beat. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ "Louder Than The Music - Bethel Music's 'Without Words: Genesis' Reimagines Worship Favorites For Reflective Moments". Louder Than the Music. November 5, 2019. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ a b Andre, Jonathan (November 27, 2019). "Bethel Music – Without Words: Genesis | 365 Days of Inspiring Media". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ a b Baylor, Sarah (November 16, 2019). "Bethel Music's 'Without Words: Genesis' Is Beautifully Re-Invented Worship Music". The Christian Beat. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ a b Davies, Jono. "Louder Than The Music - Bethel Music - Without Words: Genesis". Louder Than the Music. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ Cheong, Marcus (November 22, 2019). "Sight Magazine - MUSIC: BETHEL GOES 'WITHOUT WORDS' - PURELY INSTRUMENTAL, COMPLETELY IMMERSIVE". Sight Magazine. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ "2020 Nominees | The 51st Annual GMA Dove Awards". GMA Dove Awards. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
- ^ Andre, Jonathan (April 12, 2020). "BEST OF 2019- PART 11: TOP 50 ALBUMS OF 2019 | 365 Days of Inspiring Media". 365 Days of Inspiring Media. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- ^ "Christian Albums: Top Praise Music Chart | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. November 26, 2019. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ a b "Without Words: Genesis by Bethel Music on Amazon Music - Amazon.com". Amazon.com. November 15, 2019. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ "Bethel Music Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ "Top Christian Albums – Billboard". Billboard. Year-End Chart. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "Without Words: Genesis by Bethel Music on Apple Music". Apple Music. United States. Apple Inc. November 15, 2019. Retrieved February 29, 2020.