Rend Collective has been playing their rambunctious brand of Celtic worship on the global scene for close to twenty years now, and it's safe to say that there seems to be no let up in sight as the band continues to tour hard and produce their raucous music at a steady clip. With a distinct, rowdy sound and a true heart for leading the church in worship, the band has the feel of medieval wandering minstrels going from town to town to sing about the Lord.

The quickly made (judging from the group's own social media posts) FOLK! (Pt. 1) is both a wild batch of worship tunes and a surprisingly peaceful and soul affirming balm for these anxious times. Kicking off the EP with the tranquil and autumnal "Abide In Me" is a bold choice, as it slowly hums to life with a gentle steel guitar and banjo motif that swirls like falling leaves. Similar in tone and theme to Third Day's classic "I've Always Loved You," "Abide In Me" is quietly one of the best songs the band has ever written, and never feels hurried or rushed in its gentle invitation to find peace in Christ: "Come build a home here inside my love / Come shelter in the shadow of my wings / Be still and know that I am God / Be still and know you are enough /Abide in me / Abide in me / Don't you wanna know what carefree feels like / Just how good it can be / Don't you wanna know what your life would be like / With some peace and levity / Abide in me." "Abide" is a terrific mix of music and message and feels vital in a time of national contention. It's one to listen to in a troubled moment of your soul.

But an obstreperous bunch like Rend Collective cannot stay quiet for long, and the following, wild "What I Was Made For" quickly livens up the pace with an urgently strummed acoustic guitar (in the mold of fellow British Iles brethren Mumford & Sons) and stomping drums. "What I was Made For" is a dancing jig of a worship tune that soars high in the sing-song chorus: "This is what I was made for / To turn each breath into gratefulness / You designed my heart for loving You / As the deer pants for water / My soul aches for authentic praise / You designed my heart for loving You / For loving You / For loving You." But it's "Holy Trouble" that is the heart of the album. With terrific lyrics about standing out in the world for all the right reasons, "Holy Trouble" is a rambunctious call to be a troublemaker in all the right ways: "Holy Spirit, holy rebel / Rattle cages, kick over the tables / Start a riot of revival / Come on holy renegade / Start some holy trouble / Give us a bold new vision / Of radical compassion / We're living in Your freedom / We're stamping out oppression." It's tremendously refreshing to hear revolution lyrics married to phrases like "radical compassion."

The final tracks, "Silver And Gold" and "Reap That Joy," close the thematic pulse of the album with great sing along Irish melodies that bring the "Part One" of this album to a satisfying close. With Part Two on the horizon, Rend Collective continues its wonderful legacy of introspective writing and a worship party atmosphere. That's a neat combination that ought to be celebrated far and wide, preferably with an old banjo in tow.

- Review date: 11/3/24, written by Alex Caldwell of Jesusfreakhideout.com