Best Friend by Hillsong United

Best Friend is the second live album by Hillsong United, recorded in Sydney in 2000, and I found it long after the fact. It catches the young Australian worship band early, before the polish of later years, full of raw energy and plain devotion. The theme is friendship with God, the nearness of a faith that feels personal rather than distant. That warmth, and the youthful fire behind it, is what drew me in.

Why listen?

The sound is live youth worship, guitars loud and drums urgent under unguarded voices. The production is simple by later standards, which only makes it feel more honest. The lyrics are direct and heartfelt, the words of people meaning every line. There is a real sweep across the record, from loud declaration to quiet surrender. It is a snapshot of a band still finding its feet, and all the better for it.

Favourite song: My Best Friend

The opening title track sets the tone, bright and eager, the sound of young faith in full voice. It is simple and a little rough, and that is exactly its charm.

Jesus You are my best friend
And You will always be
And nothing will ever change that
Nothing will ever change that

The song bursts out of the gate like the first stretch of a hike taken at a run, all energy and no doubt. It carries a closeness to God that feels easy and unforced, the kind you remember from earlier days. The track turns a plain idea, friendship, into something the whole room can shout.

Key takeaway

Best Friend is an early, unvarnished worship record full of youthful fire. Worth hearing for anyone curious where the Hillsong United sound began.

Tracklist

• My Best Friend
• Stronger Than
• Saving Grace
• Forever
• God of All Creation
• I Live for You
• Jesus Generation
• I Will Sing
• Jesus, Lover of My Soul
• The Reason I Live

Details

Listen on

• Apple Music
• Amazon
• Spotify

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