|PIC1|sixstepsrecords and Passion worship leader/artist, Charlie Hall will release his fourth studio album, The Bright Sadness, on August 19. The record conveys life amidst sorrow and brokenness, reminding listeners that the aching in this world is not detached from the bright, resurrecting hope in God.

A collection of songs that reflect his current journey, The Bright Sadness, according to Hall, "comes from me understanding my ordinary human condition and my deep love for Jesus and the life He brings".

"It is the accepting of my brokenness and that in the world around me while never losing sight of Christ's closeness, His free fellowship, His redemption and compassion, His brightness."

Produced by band member Kendall Combes along with David Hodges (Evanescence), who also produced Hall's Flying Into Daybreak (2006), The Bright Sadness delivers the band's signature modern worship sound paired with earnest, often very personal, lyrics on songs like "My Brightness" which readily confesses: "Well I've been hit from every corner/ I've been thrown from side to side/ And I'm cracked up on the inside so I come to you for life".

Similarly, "Knit My Heart" expresses Hall's most heartfelt desire to be one with God: "Knit my heart to you/ I'll dream what you dream and see what you see/ Knit my heart to you, I will move in you and you move in me."

Hall explains, "The human experience can be really beautiful or really messy, sometimes at the same time. I try to take those experiences and put them into prayers or statements of faith in terms that don't deny the experience, but views them through the constant reality of Jesus."

Also on the album are a number of songs that Hall and his band debuted at the Passion Regional Events and the current Passion World Tour gatherings, including "Chainbreaker", "Mystery", "Walk the World" and "You Are God". These and others fulfil his intent to "use music to connect people to God, to give them prayers to sing, and words to use in adoration".

"Pushing the boundaries of what worship music is and can be, The Bright Sadness beautifully reflects the life-giver these songs applaud," comments Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords founder and director. "As the title vividly portrays, Charlie continues to write from that fragile space most of us have come to know as life in a broken world.

"Yet, in the reality of it all, Charlie always stretches us to lift our gaze and cling to the confidence that God's love is shaping our steps and holding our hearts."

Says EMI CMG Label Group President Peter York, "Charlie Hall's refreshingly honest and compelling songs of worship have deeply connected once again with The Bright Sadness. We at EMI CMG are blessed to partner in Charlie's journey as he speaks to a generation with an inspiring transparency that is so rare in our industry."

The debut single from The Bright Sadness, "My Brightness", will go for adds at all Christian radio formats on July 25, 2008.


Charlie Hall on the web: www.charliehall.com or www.268generation.com.