Christian rock finds a fresh new voice in Reynosa, Mexico, where eight musicians came together earlier this year to form Él es Jesús. Their debut, Vol. 1 Side A or Vol. 1: A New Sound of Faith and Hope, released on September 12, carries the weight of years of careful writing and studio devotion, with the band set on three clear goals: to communicate the power of God through music, to invite listeners to follow Jesus, and to spread hope through faith-filled storytelling. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Planetshakers, Hillsong United, and Lincoln Brewster, the group brings rock, pop, and indie into worship songs that can immerse you in worship even deeper.
The opening track, “Acto de Pasión,” immediately sets the tone with pulsating piano lines that build like a steady and expectant heartbeat. The lead singer’s grainy, weathered voice anchors the sound, until the drums break in, lifting his delivery skyward. When he sings, “Ahora mi vida la entrego hoy / Por tu pacto de gran amor,” surrender becomes strength.
Later, “Es Más Grande Que Yo” turns inward with a gentler touch. A breathy male voice leans close, while the music swells into optimism with hard-hitting beats and uplifting melodies. When the female singer enters, her tender tone adds a counterpoint, as if two perspectives fuse into one prayer, suggesting the enormity of faith that transcends the self.
By the time we reach “Estoy Para Ti,” the album’s emotional center, the music leans on winding electric guitar riffs, thumping rhythms, and an impassioned, devoted vocal. The bridge, where a female voice rises delicately over gritty guitars, captures the paradox of worship, soft vulnerability framed by unshakable strength.
Listen to the debut record, Vol. 1 Side A, to witness a distinctive sort of Christian rock that weds emotion with reverent power, on Spotify.
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Review by: Naomi Joan