Growing up, the melodies of contemporary Christian music were the heartbeat of my home. Those songs of faith weren’t just sounds; they were woven into my earliest memories – moments of joy, shared prayers, whispered hopes during times of uncertainty. Life moved on, and as it did, so did my musical tastes.
Harsher guitars and driving drums replaced the gentle hymns of my childhood. Christian metal bands like Skillet offered a different kind of energy, yet a familiar core of faith still resonated. Then, something unexpectedly beautiful happened when I encountered Gresha Schuilling’s album, ‘whispering HOPE’. Revisiting the genre I’d left behind; it was like coming home. It ignited a sense of warmth and wonder that took me by surprise, reminding me that sometimes what we outgrow still has a place within us.
Gresha’s story echoes the journey music can take us on. Born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, her journey began with a childhood love for the keyboard – a passion that often spills over into a bit of Elvis, I hear. That passion blossomed into a full-fledged musical career. A career that shines brightly on this album, but so does her life outside the studio. Gresha is a wife to Sudhindra Yadhati and the proud mother of their son, Dylan Tristan Schuilling Yadhati.
Her 2022 album, ‘whispering HOPE’, released under the independent label whispering HOPE Records, is an undeniable testament to her talent. Soft rock meets gentle pop, all tied together with a mastery that drew me in from the start. This was even more exciting knowing that the album featured Pio Anandappa, an artist whose work I’ve knew about for years. From those first notes, the album spoke to me, rekindling a love for a genre I never realized I missed so deeply. And honestly, I have so much to say about why. Plus, we also have the amazing work of Shimron Fernando.
So now, lets take a look at the first track! “I Bring You a Sound of Worship” is a song that opens the album with a gentle and ethereal touch. The song is a declaration of worship and praise to God, the King of Kings, who is worthy of all glory and honor. The song is soft in terms of the mood, but not lacking in passion and joy.
The song starts with an acoustic strum that creates a soothing and serene atmosphere. The vocals are traded between two singers, who harmonize beautifully and express their devotion to God. The song then picks up the tempo and the instrumentation, adding more energy and excitement to the melody. The guitar work is especially impressive, adding some flair and finesse to the sound. The song reaches its big hit in the chorus, where the vocals lift up God’s name in all the earth, and proclaim him as the King of Kings. The song ends with a stunning display of harmonies, as the singers repeat the chorus and the bridge, creating a powerful and moving sound of worship. Which I feel was very well done.
“I Bring You a Sound of Worship” is a song that sets the tone for the album, and invites you join in the celebration of God’s greatness and goodness. It is a song that showcases the talent and skill of the singers and the musicians, as well as their heart and faith. It is a song that honors God and feels like it blesses the listeners.
“Your Love” is a song that celebrates the grace and mercy God, who chooses and crowns his people with love and compassion. The song is uplifting and joyful, expressing gratitude and awe for the everlasting and pure love that forgives the sinful nature in humans. The song also affirms the presence and promise of God, who is before, behind, and beside his people, and who fills them with joy.
The song begins with a gentle and soothing introduction of strings and keys, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere. The percussion adds a snapping sound that adds rhythm and interest to the melody. The vocals are harmonious and clear, conveying the message of the song with sincerity and passion.
The cymbals create a sparkling splash that brightens the melody and accentuates the chorus. The guitar adds some filler notes that enrich the sound and create a smooth transition to the next verse. And I must say, I really enjoy the nice guitar work here.
The song builds up in intensity and volume as it reaches the ending verse, where the singers repeat the chorus and add a new bridge that proclaims the presence and promise. The percussion creates a thunderous blast that shakes the ground and clashes into an epic moment of praise and worship.
“Your Love” is a beautiful and powerful song that captures the essence of worship and your heart. I would say that this is a song that inspires and uplifts and invites you to join in the celebration.
“Weight of My Cross” is a song that expresses gratitude and awe for the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for humanity. The song is joyful and hopeful, celebrating the mercy and grace of God, who bore the weight of our sins and gave us new life. I feel like this track is also in a way, a reminder of the spiritual significance of the cross, and the transformation that it brings to those who believe in Jesus’ name.
The song starts with a gentle and touching introduction of piano and acoustic guitar, creating a soft atmosphere. The vocals are simple and sincere, singing about the price that Jesus paid to beautify our lives. The song then builds up in intensity and emotion, as the percussion comes in strong and adds more power and impact to the sound around the 1:40 mark. The vocals also become more passionate and expressive, singing about the spiritual reality of what Jesus did on the cross of Calvary, and how he is merciful to us. The electric guitar adds some flair and excitement to the sound, creating a contrast and a balance with the gentle instruments.
” Weight of My Cross” is a song that captures the essence of the gospel and the heart of worship. It is a song that inspires and encourages you for a time to reflect on the amazing love of God. And also, I love the melody on this track.
“Always a Father” is a song that praises God for his faithful and loving character, and his sovereign and powerful rule. The song is energetic and lively, expressing joy and admiration for God, who is always a father, a friend, a comfort, a healer, and a strength to his people. The song is also a declaration of devotion and worship to God, who is more than words can say.
The song starts with a crisp and clear introduction of instruments, creating a catchy and upbeat melody. The vocals are enthusiastic and confident, singing about the attributes and qualities of God.
There’s a moment towards the end of the track where the rhythm shifts, creating a space of heightened intensity that will have you clapping and moving along to the beat. The song also features some impressive electric guitar work that adds some excitement and flair to the sound. I absolutely love the instrumentation work, and this is probably one of my first personal favorite tracks on the record.
“When I Knew That I was a Sinner” is a track about of how God’s love transformed the life of a sinner who used to dwell in the darkness. It’s like a testimony song, designed to resonate with others who may have found themselves on a similar path and experienced the transformative power of faith. It’s a song not just about being saved, but about the enduring love and mercy offered by the divine. Which I think it great with its double meaning.
Now this one here has a distinct feel, with its almost progressive rock like elements and a dynamic focus on the interplay between other instruments and percussion. The song’s structure showcases both intensity and space for you to really get lost in and take some time to think, underscoring the emotional highs and lows it seeks to portray. Maybe you have found yourself in that very darkness as well, and have come out of it.
“I Trust” has a bright, infectious energy. From the very start, the song’s percussive focus evokes a sense of joyous celebration and determination. Its driving rhythm makes you want to move, perhaps even march in time to the positive spirit it conveys. More so since it almost feels like there is a snare drum in the mix! But, the song declares trust and confidence in God, who has a never-failing name and a name above all names. The song is fun and lively.
This unwavering energy reflects the song’s core theme – placing absolute trust in a divine power. There’s a certainty in the song’s message, a powerful belief in a loving presence that’s a constant source of support. The track emphasizes finding strength and resilience in the face of hardship, suggesting that nothing, no metaphorical storm or fire, can break this spiritual faith.
Now, I have got to say this is another one of my favorites on the album, because it puts me in a good mood and fills me with a lot of joy. It resonates with me really well, because I can relate to the story. I just love how catchy it is.
“You Took My Sin and Shame” has a solemn, reflective beauty. It opens with a gentle acoustic foundation, hinting at vulnerability and introspection, and steadily builds in intensity throughout. The use of multiple harmonizing vocals adds a sense of shared testimony, a collective outpouring of profound emotion. This song speaks to the heart of many worship themes, with lyrics focused on transformation, sacrifice, and the profound impact of faith.
At its core, the song centers on a journey from spiritual darkness to redemption. It expresses a deep awareness of human frailty and imperfection, coupled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the transformative love of God. The lyrics express the belief that through Christ’s sacrifice, individuals can be freed from past burdens and given a new spiritual identity.
The music mirrors this journey. The song’s progression, its gathering strength, reflects an increasing sense of empowerment and spiritual release. The repeated declaration “glory to your name” becomes a powerful mantra, an exclamation of triumph over past struggles.
A sense of reverence and awe permeates “You Took My Sin and Shame.” It’s a song rooted in the acknowledgment of God’s power and the life-altering impact that faith can have. The themes of forgiveness, redemption, and transformation are classic in worship music, highlighting both the vulnerability of the human spirit and the immense love a believer finds in God.
This song’s emotional journey is well-suited for moments of personal worship and contemplation. Its emphasis on God’s saving grace, the surrender of burdens, and the joy of spiritual renewal could resonate deeply with listeners seeking comfort or celebrating their own experiences of transformation.
“whispering Hope” is a serious and powerful song that expresses the hope and comfort that God gives to those who are grieving and suffering. The song is also a personal testimony of how God’s voice changed her as she had lost her father and had to attend his funeral via Zoom due to the COVID lockdown.
The song starts with a spoken word message of the woman’s story, creating a solemn and emotional atmosphere. The song then transitions to a soft and angelic sound, with a gentle and soothing melody. The vocals are simple and sincere, singing about the hope that God whispers to her heart.
“whispering Hope” becomes not just a song about persevering through difficult times, but it’s also a real life testimonial of finding spiritual strength and guidance in the aftermath of hardship. This song’s power likely lies in its ability to connect with those listening who facing their own struggles. This track in particular was an incredibly beautiful way to end the record. And it’s just going to leave you feeling so many emotions afterwards.
You know, there’s something truly special about an album that does more than just entertain. It sparks something within you – a curiosity, a sense of longing, a rekindled passion. ‘whispering HOPE’ is precisely that kind of album for me. As I said, contemporary Christian music was the soundtrack to a significant part of my life. While I never completely abandoned the genre, it’s been a while since I’ve fully immersed myself in it. Gresha Schuilling’s music changed that. Her artistry, the emotion within her songs – it reminded me why I connected with this style of music in the first place.
That’s the mark of a truly impactful artist: they don’t just leave you wanting to listen to their discography on repeat (though I certainly plan to!); they reignite a love for the entire genre. Now, I find myself eager to dive into both the new and the classic voices of contemporary Christian music, searching for those hidden gems I might have missed. To me, this album wasn’t just a beautiful collection of songs, it was an invitation to rediscover an entire world of meaningful, uplifting music. And frankly, I couldn’t be more grateful for the journey it inspired. A big thank you for this album.
