Empires by Hillsong United

Empires is the fourth studio album by Hillsong United, released in 2015. The band carries the wider Hillsong sound into something more spacious and textured, guitars and synths building slow, open landscapes. The theme is mercy that stands when the empires we raise fall away, a quiet faith against fragile human power, and that contrast drew me in.

Why listen?

The sound is broad and patient, songs given room to grow and breathe. The production is rich and layered, atmosphere as much as melody. The lyrics hold to mercy, trust, and faith held through pain. There is a long arc across the record, several tracks stretching past six minutes without losing their hold. It is music to sit inside rather than rush through.

Favourite song: Even When It Hurts (Praise Song)

An honest song that chooses to praise in the middle of grief, not after it. It does not pretend the pain away.

Even when the fight seems lost, I'll praise You
Even when it hurts like hell, I'll praise You
Even when it makes no sense to sing
Louder then I'll sing Your praise
I will only sing Your praise

The way the song holds worship and sorrow together is what stays with me. It reminds me of pressing on along a hard stretch of trail in poor weather, choosing to keep walking because the path still leads somewhere good. The album holds that steady resolve, a road walked through rough ground, and I have returned to it often.

Key takeaway

Empires is spacious, honest worship with real depth. A gentle recommendation for long, reflective listening.

Tracklist

• Here Now (Madness)
• Say the Word
• Heart Like Heaven
• Touch the Sky
• Street Called Mercy
• When I Lost My Heart to You (Hallelujah)
• Even When It Hurts (Praise Song)
• Prince of Peace
• Empires
• Rule
• Captain
• Closer Than You Know

Details

Listen on

• Apple Music
• Amazon
• Spotify

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