Empires (Hillsong United album)

2015 studio album by Hillsong United

Empires

Studio album by

Hillsong United

Released| 26 May 2015 (2015-05-26)
Recorded| 2014
Genre|

* Contemporary worship music
* contemporary Christian music
* electropop
* new wave
* indie pop
* EDM

Length| 71:31
Label|

* Hillsong
* Sparrow
* Capitol CMG

Producer|

* Michael Guy Chislett
* Joel Houston

Hillsong United studio album chronology
| Zion
(2013)  | Empires
(2015)  | Wonder
(2017)

|
|

Hillsong United chronology
| The White Album
(2014)  | Empires
(2015)  | Of Dirt and Grace: Live from the Land
(2016)

|
|

Singles from  Empires

1. "Touch the Sky"
Released: 24 March 2015
2. "Say the Word"
Released: 1 February 2016

Empires is the fourth studio album by the Australian band Hillsong United, a contemporary worship music band from Hillsong Church. The album was released on 26 May 2015, under Hillsong Music, Sparrow Records and Capitol Christian Music Group.[1] Michael Guy Chislett served as the album's producer, with vocalist Joel Houston serving as creative director and co-producer.[2] "Touch the Sky" was released as the album's lead single in March 2015. The album won the Worship Album of the Year at the 47th Dove Awards.

## Background

[edit]

The cover of Empires was launched into space on 12 March 2015.[3] To further promote the album, the group performed single "Touch the Sky" on the Today Show on 2 April 2015.[4] The album is United's fourth studio album, and was released on 26 May 2015 by Hillsong Music and Sparrow Records. It was released in CD, digital download, and vinyl formats.

## Singles

[edit]

The lead single from the album was "Touch the Sky", which was released to digital retailers on 24 March 2015,[5] and to Christian radio on 11 April 2015.[6]

"Say the Word" was released as the second single from the album on 1 February 2016.[7]

### Promotional singles

[edit]

"Prince of Peace" was released to digital retailers on 21 April 2015 as a promotional single[8] followed by "Heart Like Heaven", released to the iTunes Store and as a lyric video on Hillsong United's YouTube channel on 18 May 2015.[9][10]

## Critical reception

[edit]

Professional ratingsReview scores

Source| Rating
CCM Magazine| [11]
Christian Music Review| 4.0/5[12]
CM Addict| [13]
Cross Rhythms| [14]
FDRMX| [15]
Jesus Freak Hideout| [16]
[17]
[18]
Louder Than the Music| [19]
New Release Tuesday| [20]
USA Today| [21]
Worship Leader| [22]

Giving the album three and a half stars at CCM Magazine, Caroline Lusk says, "Empires is a stunning display of universally relevant themes".[11] Brian Mansfield, rating the album two and a half stars out of four for USA Today, states, "Empires focuses on submission and service."[21] Rating the album four stars from New Release Tuesday, Marcus Hathcock describes feeling "awkward", after he finished listening to the album.[20] Awarding the album five stars from FDRMX, Jessica Morris writes, "Hillsong UNITED have done an extraordinary job in putting together and delivering an album that is both authentic and of the highest quality."[15]

Ryan Barbee, giving the album four and a half stars for Jesus Freak Hideout, says, "Empires, might continue to walk the love/hate line for some people".[16] Rating the album three and a half stars at Jesus Freak Hideout, Mark Rice writes, "Empires all the way through almost relegates it to the status of a lullaby album", as compared to their previous offering.[17] Scott Fryberer, awarding the album four stars from Jesus Freak Hideout, states, "United doesn't necessarily win points for the most creative lyricism, but they're leagues above where they used to be".[18] Indicating in a four and a half star review from Worship Leader, Jeremy Armstrong writes, "paradoxes of faith and God's greatness resound throughout."[22]

Awarding the album five stars at Louder Than the Music, Jono Davies says it's simply, "Superb."[19] Abby Baracskai, rating the album a 4.0 out of five for Christian Music Review, states, "the album was interesting to listen to musically because of all the minute details compiled together to create unique sounds, and lyric wise because of the important messages they illustrate."[12] Giving the album five stars from CM Addict, Michael Tackett writes, "Simply put…Empires is a masterpiece."[13] Tony Cummings, affixing a ten out of ten rating upon the album at Cross Rhythms, says, "United have produced a classic album with the potential to change tens of thousands of lives."[14]

## Commercial performance

[edit]

In the United States, the album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart in its first week with 50,000 units, 47,000 of which are pure album sales, making this Hillsong United's best ever sales week.[23] It also debuted at No. 1 on the Top Christian Albums chart and No. 2 on the Digital Albums.[24] The album has sold 122,000 copies in the United States as of June 2016.[25]

## Accolades

[edit]

This album was No. 12, on the Worship Leader's Top 20 Albums of 2015 list.[26]

The song, "Heart Like Heaven", was No. 6, on the Worship Leader's Top 20 Songs of 2015 list.[27]

## Track listing

[edit]

Standard edition[1][28]No.| Title| Writer(s)| Worship leader| Length

|
|
|
|

1.| "Here Now (Madness)"|

* Joel Houston
* Michael Guy Chislett

| Jad Gillies| 7:22
2.| "Say the Word"| Houston| Taya Smith| 4:24
3.| "Heart Like Heaven"|

* Matt Crocker
* Houston

| Jad Gillies| 6:29
4.| "Touch the Sky"|

* Houston
* Dylan Thomas
* Chislett

| Taya Smith| 4:22
5.| "Street Called Mercy"|

* Crocker
* Houston

* Jonathan Douglass
* Matt Crocker
* Taya Smith

| 4:21
6.| "When I Lost My Heart to You (Hallelujah)"| Houston| Joel Houston| 4:45
7.| "Even When It Hurts (Praise Song)"| Houston| Taya Smith| 6:18
8.| "Prince of Peace"|

* Houston
* Crocker
* Thomas

* Joel Houston
* Jad Gillies

| 5:56
9.| "Empires"|

* Houston
* Thomas
* Chris Davenport
* Ben Tennikoff

| Jad Gillies| 8:14
10.| "Rule"|

* Crocker
* Houston
* Tennikoff

| Matt Crocker| 4:12
11.| "Captain"|

* Benjamin Hastings
* Seth Simmons

| Taya Smith| 5:31
12.| "Closer Than You Know"|

* Houston
* Crocker
* Chislett

* Joel Houston
* Taya Smith

| 9:30
Total length:| 71:31

Target bonus track[29]No.| Title| Writer(s)| Worship Leader| Length

|
|
|
|

13.| "Sunburst"|

* Crocker
* Houston
* Scott Ligertwood
* Chislett

| Matt Crocker[citation needed]| 5:19
Total length:| 1:16:50

Notes

* Worship leaders for each song can be found at this link.[30]

## Personnel

[edit]

* Joel Houston \- lead vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards, bass, piano, moog bass
* Michael Guy Chislett \- electric guitar, percussion, programming
* Jad Gillies - lead vocals, guitar
* Matt Crocker - lead vocals, acoustic guitar
* Jonathon "JD" Douglass - lead vocals
* Taya Smith \- lead vocals
* Dylan Thomas - electric guitar
* Benjamin Tennikoff - keyboards, glockenspiel, piano, synthesizers, percussion
* Adam Crosariol - bass
* Simon Kobler - drums

Additional musicians

* Desmond Annabel - trombone, euphonium
* Marcus Beaumont - electric guitar
* Matt Tennikoff - bass
* Peter James - keyboards, piano
* Tim Whincop - trumpet

## Charts

[edit]

### Album

[edit]

Weekly charts
Chart (2015)  | Peak
position

|

Australian Albums (ARIA)[31] | 1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[32] | 124
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[33] | 164
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[34] | 12
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[35] | 19
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[36] | 7
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[37] | 7
UK Albums (OCC)[38] | 34
US Billboard 200[39] | 5
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[40] | 1

Year-end charts
Chart (2015)  | Position

|

Australian Albums (ARIA)[41] | 53

### Singles

[edit]

Year  | Single  | Peak chart positions

|
|

US Christian
[42] | Christian Airplay
[43] | Christian Digital Songs
[44] | Christian Streaming Songs
[45]
2015  | "Touch the Sky"  | 3  | 5  | 1  | 8
2016  | "Say the Word"  | 24  | 29  | –  | –

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "iTunes - Music - Empires by Hillsong United". iTunes. 26 May 2015.
2. ^ Empires album booklet
3. ^ Ong, Czarina (21 March 2015). "Hillsong United's album cover makes it into space, shares Joel Houston". Christianity Today. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
4. ^ Sarachik, Justin (2 April 2015). "Hillsong United Perform 'Touch the Sky' on 'Today Show'; Group Makes First National Television Appearance [WATCH HERE]". Retrieved 2 June 2015.
5. ^ "Amazon". Amazon (US). 30 April 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
6. ^ "Billboard". Billboard. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
7. ^ "Mediabase 24/7 Charts - Top Music Radio Song Chart Ratings - AllAccess.com". AllAccess. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
8. ^ "Amazon". Amazon. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
9. ^ "iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
10. ^ Heart Like Heaven Official Lyric Video -- Hillsong UNITED. YouTube. 18 May 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
11. ^ a b Lusk, Caroline (1 June 2015). "Hillsong United: Empires". CCM Magazine. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
12. ^ a b Baracskai, Abby (25 May 2015). "Hillsong UNITED 'Empires'". Christian Music Review. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
13. ^ a b Tackett, Michael (26 May 2015). "Hillsong UNITED "Empires" (Review)". CM Addict. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
14. ^ a b Cummings, Tony (16 March 2016). "Review: Empires - Hillsong United". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
15. ^ a b Morris, Jessica (12 May 2015). "Hillsong UNITED: 'Empires' Track-by-Track Album Review". FDRMX. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
16. ^ a b Barbee, Ryan (23 May 2014). "Hillsong UNITED, "Empires" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
17. ^ a b Rice, Mark (24 May 2014). "Hillsong UNITED, "Empires" Review - Second Staff Opinion". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
18. ^ a b Fryberger, Scott (23 May 2014). "Hillsong UNITED, "Empires" Review - JFH Staff's Additional 2 Cents". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
19. ^ a b Davies, Jono (7 May 2015). "Reviews - Hillsong United - Empires". Louder Than the Music. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
20. ^ a b Hathcock, Marcus (26 May 2015). "An Open Letter to UNITED". New Release Tuesday. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
21. ^ a b Mansfield, Brian (26 May 2015). "Album of the week: Hillsong United". USA Today. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
22. ^ a b Armstrong, Jeremy. "Hillsong United: Empires". Worship Leader. pp. 52–3. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
23. ^ Caulfield, Keith (3 June 2015). "A$AP Rocky Earns Second No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard.
24. ^ "Hillsong United's "Empires" Debuts #1 Top Christian Albums Chart". The Christian Beat. 3 June 2015.
25. ^ "Upcoming Releases". Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. Archived from the original on 2 July 2016.
26. ^ Staff. "2015 Top Albums". Worship Leader. pp. 58–9. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
27. ^ Staff. "2015 Top Songs". Worship Leader. pp. 62–3. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
28. ^ "Empires UNITED Album Credits". Zendesk.com. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
29. ^ "Hillsong United - Empires - Target Exclusive : Target". Target. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
30. ^ "Empires Album Credits - Hillsong Help". Hillsong. 26 November 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
31. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Hillsong United – Empires". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
32. ^ "Ultratop.be – Hillsong – United - Empires" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
33. ^ "Ultratop.be – Hillsong – United - Empires" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
34. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Hillsong – United - Empires" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
35. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2015. 22. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
36. ^ "Charts.nz – Hillsong – United - Empires". Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
37. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Hillsong – United - Empires". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
38. ^ "Hillsong United | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
39. ^ "Hillsong United Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
40. ^ "Hillsong United Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
41. ^ "ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 100 Albums 2015". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 12 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
42. ^ "Billboard". Billboard. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
43. ^ "Billboard". Billboard. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
44. ^ "Billboard". Billboard. 29 November 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
45. ^ "Billboard". Billboard. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2015.

* v
* t
* e

Hillsong Music

Hillsong Worship
(discography)|

| Albums|

* The Power of Your Love
* Stone's Been Rolled Away
* People Just Like Us
* Friends in High Places
* God Is in the House
* All Things Are Possible
* Touching Heaven Changing Earth
* By Your Side
* For This Cause
* You Are My World
* Blessed
* Hope
* For All You've Done
* God He Reigns
* Mighty to Save
* Saviour King
* This Is Our God
* Faith + Hope + Love
* A Beautiful Exchange
* God Is Able
* Cornerstone
* Glorious Ruins
* No Other Name
* Open Heaven / River Wild
* Let There Be Light
* There Is More
* Awake
* These Same Skies

|

Singles|

* "Shout to the Lord"
* "Mighty to Save"
* "It Is Well With My Soul"
* "Forever Reign"
* "What a Beautiful Name"
* "Who You Say I Am"
* "King of Kings"
* "Fresh Wind"
* "Hope of the Ages"

EPs|

* Cornerstone EP
* There is More: Studio Sessions EP

Hillsong United|

| Studio|

* All of the Above
* Aftermath
* Zion
* Empires
* Wonder

|

Live|

* Everyday
* Best Friend
* King of Majesty
* To the Ends of the Earth
* More Than Life
* Look to You
* United We Stand
* The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts as One
* Across the Earth: Tear Down the Walls
* Live in Miami
* Zion Acoustic Sessions
* Of Dirt and Grace: Live from the Land
* People

EPs|

* Oceans

Singles|

* "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"
* "Know You Will"
* "Sure Thing"
* "On Repeat"

Remix|

* The White Album

Hillsong Young & Free|

| Studio|

* Youth Revival Acoustic
* III
* III (Studio Sessions)
* III (Reimagined)

|

Live|

* We Are Young & Free
* Youth Revival
* [III (Live at Hillsong Conference)

EPs|

* This Is Living

Hillsong Chapel|

* Yahweh
* Forever Reign

Hillsong Kids|

* Crazy Noise

Worship series|

* Amazing Love
* Songs for Communion

Christmas|

* Christmas
* Celebrating Christmas
* Born Is the King
* We Have a Saviour
* The Peace Project

Compilation|

* Hills Praise
* Extravagant Worship: The Songs of Reuben Morgan
* The Platinum Collection Volume 1: Shout to the Lord
* Ultimate Worship
* Hillsong: Let Hope Rise - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Other albums|

* Shout to the Lord
* Shout to the Lord 2000
* UP: Unified Praise

Global albums|

* Shout God's Fame
* Hail to the King
* Unidos Permanecemos
* Con Todo
* Hillsong Global Project

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

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