|PIC1|It’s rare to find someone with the poetry and penmanship of Stuart Townend. For proof, just remind yourself that ‘In Christ Alone’ remains the most popular song to sweeten the air of churches across the UK.

All over the world Christians draw inspiration and understanding from Stuart’s songs; which of us hasn’t sung ‘How Deep The Father’s Love’ and felt once more the warmth of God’s embrace?

All of which settles us down and gets our attention for the lines that follow: on May 22 Kingsway Music will release the latest solo album from the man himself, ‘Creation Sings’.

Whenever a lyricist of Stuart’s skill opens up a new project, you know the results are going to be inspirational. And they are. From the five brand new tracks on the album come two irresistible calls to faith and worship (‘Come People Of The Risen King’ and ‘The Light Of The World’, featuring Cathy Burton), a reflection on God’s compassion and our responsibilities (‘Compassion Hymn’) and a stunning meditation on Christ’s crucifixion.

Track 8 – ‘Gethsemane’ – is yet another high point for the man described as one of our greatest living hymn writers. With strings that flesh out the emotions and a pace that draws the listener’s focus in, the lyrics guide with the authority of centuries-old liturgy as well as the empathy of the clearest testimony. Personal and eternal, instructive and uplifting, powerful and present; this is vintage Stuart Townend.

The album also features a number of previously released songs – including ‘Beautiful Saviour’, ‘You Are My Anchor’ and ‘O Church Arise’ – re-recorded with co-producers Paul Burton & Mark Edwards. Flavours of Van Morrison in his ‘Into The Music’ phase flood the record with fiddles and whistles and an acoustic skip that breathes life out of the speakers. There are hints of Johnny Cash in there too, and those strings of ‘Gethsemane’ feel as though they could find a home on the soundtrack for Schindler’s List, such is their tone and power.

Also included is a DVD, containing footage of five of the songs being performed live in the studio, along with interviews, the story behind the songs and the making of these inspirational songs.

But more than the allusions and links, ‘Creation Sings’ is an album with a double purpose hinted at by the title. Not only does it describe and document the ways in which the world around us, throughout time, responds to God’s glory, it also stirs up the songs and prayers that lie within us. Part soloist, Stuart Townend has once again helped the church find its voice.