LEELAND Hopes "City of God" Will Be a New Window into the Glory of God

LEELAND, comprising of Leeland Moring and Casey Moore, releases their new album "City of God" via Integrity Music. The 11 new songs are centered around the thematic of Psalm 46 through thoughtful and innovative songwriting. Recorded in a live rehearsal room with no audience but special guest artists including TAYA, Charity Gayle, Rita Springer, Vanessa Hill, and Lauren Strahm (Fleurie), an expansive soundscape is captured on each of the new songs 

"This album started with Old Testament stories and a piano in my living room," frontman Leeland Mooring says. "[Through stories], God began to show me, whether it was Moses in Egypt, Noah and the ark, or Daniel in Babylon, that God always had a redemptive plan in the midst of great darkness." 

The album's title refers to the Church, the people of God that make up his coming Kingdom and dwelling place in society here and now, pointing to the hope of the heavenly Jerusalem. "Though culture may look like a modern Babylon crying, 'Let us make for ourselves a tower and a name in the heavens,' we cry as Daniel, 'Lord, let your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!'" Mooring adds. 

Casey Moore reflects, "When I think about this album, I think about the journey we've been on as a band the last 20 years, the people we've met along the way, the places we've been, and how we've seen God show up every step of the way. We have changed, but he never has. Normally when you set out to make an album as a band or a songwriter, other than the practicalities, you start writing and chasing the songs in your heart or finding a sound to shape and form it all together wrapped up in what you think God is telling you or whispering. Well, when the time was right we jumped back in and did that, but this time, I feel like the album wrote me instead of the other way around. And continues to write and reveal itself to me. I'm still learning it and still trying to get ahold on it, though really it's the one who has a hold on me and in the most beauty way.

"This album is a bit rebellious and unconventional in ways, not anything groundbreaking or something that hasn't been done already, but something we haven't done for sure, and I've never felt so free and inspired and encouraged before in my whole life than when I was making this album with this band. But one thing for sure, is without a leader, none of this could have happened."

They hope these new songs will inspire the people of God back to the treasures of Scriptures and the mysteries of God's ways. "We pray this album helps open a new window into the glory of God; that we would get a vision of Jesus and hear him say 'fear not, stand up and let me show you the things that are to come,'" Mooring concludes. 

Tags : leeland leeland mooring casey moore City of God Integrity Music