Longtime friends, John Arndt and David Gungor, joined together to work on a project of crafting songs around the liturgical calendar for the congregation where David was leading worship. It was through this collaboration that the worship duo, The Brilliance, was born. Their new release, Brother, blends classical and popular styles together to create a sound that is both familiar and unique, allowing for their music to be utilized in many different settings. David shares, "Some of the greatest classical works ever composed were for the Church. We want to make art that, in a sense, is commissioned by my church and is music for the church; but that tells a bigger story."
Brother does just that, with songs that include themes of unity, forgiveness, and peace. The title track, "Brother" focuses on looking past the things that divide us, instead viewing our neighbors for who they are and loving them. It states, "Forgiveness is the garment of our courage, the power to make the peace we long to know. Open up our eyes to see the wounds that bind all of humankind. May our shutter hearts greet the dawn of life with charity and love." The confessional, "Yahweh" begins softly and reverently, singing, "Yahweh, here are Your children crying out for peace. Father, pour out Your Spirit, prepare our hearts for You." Continuing to add layers as it progresses, it expresses our desperate need for Him, imploring, "Hosanna, come save us Hosanna, come save us," before opening up dramatically. "Prayers of the People" is congregational and melodic, with the simple lyrics, "You hear us calling, You hear us calling Abba Father. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy." It is composed in a way that allows space and freedom in between the refrains of the song, facilitating worship that specifically incorporates prayer.
The Brilliance hopes that their music will be thought-provoking and appeal to people regardless of their age, ethnicity, or denominations. David explains, "For me, the reason I follow the teaching of Jesus Christ is because it actually brings life and truth, and it transcends certain boundaries. We love art, and we love the idea of making art within the Christian narrative… We want to push boundaries artistically to inspire the imagination."
Brother - The Brilliance
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