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Without Words: Synesthesia
Remix album by
Bethel Music
ReleasedJuly 31, 2015 (2015-07-31)
Recorded2015
Genre
Length69:05
LabelBethel Music
Producer
  • Chris Greely
  • Bobby Strand
Bethel Music remix album chronology
Without Words
(2013) 		Without Words: Synesthesia
(2015) 		After All These Years (Instrumental)
(2017)
Bethel Music chronology
We Will Not Be Shaken (Live)
(2015) 		Without Words: Synesthesia
(2015) 		Have It All
(2016)

Without Words: Synesthesia is the second remix album by Bethel Music, the second release in their Without Words series, and their eleventh album, overall. The album was released on July 31, 2015 via the collective's imprint label, Bethel Music.[1] Bobby Strand and Chris Greely produced the album.

Background

Keeping with the nature of the previous Without Words album, Synesthesia recreates previous songs released by Bethel Music, as well as songs released by other artists, into instrumental tracks. Prior to the release of the album, "vignette"-type videos were released onto YouTube with previews of "You Make Me Brave," "For the Cross," and "It Is Well." Synesthesia, however, took its own clear direction with the new electronica-infused variations, compared to the first Without Words album.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
CCM Magazine[2]
The Christian Beat4.6/5[3]
NewReleaseToday[4]

Awarding the album four stars from CCM Magazine, Kevin Sparkman states, "The instrumentation, orchestration, and overall arranging on Synesthesia prove the level of depth and talent behind this organization."[2] Mark Ryan, giving the album four and a half stars for NewReleaseToday, writes, "The album calms the soul and brings you to a perfect place of quietness so that you can hear the only words that truly matter".[4] Lauren McLean, rating the album a 4.6 out of five at The Christian Beat, writes, "Without Words: Synesthesia...sure is an eye opener."[3]

Initial critical responses to the album have been positive. NewReleaseToday stated that the album "is at times reminiscent of the more organic Without Words...this sophomore project takes a distinctly new direction, incorporating electronic elements and ethereal vocal layering." AllAboutWorship.com suggests that the "fantastic arrangements" be used "for pre-service music, transitional tunes and ministry music" and lauds "the musicality and creativity of Bethel Music." HollywoodJesus.com notes that "with unique instruments filling in for the vocals...you can almost concentrate and ‘feel' the music even more."[5]

Awards and accolades

On August 11, 2016, the Gospel Music Association was announced that Without Words: Synesthesia would be nominated for a GMA Dove Award in the Instrumental Album of the Year category at the 47th Annual GMA Dove Awards.[6]

On October 11, 2016, Without Words: Synesthesia won the GMA Dove Award for Instrumental Album of the Year with producers Chris Greely and Bobby Strand being the recipients.[7]

Commercial performance

Without Words: Synesthesia debuted on the Billboard Christian Albums chart at No. 2 with 5,000 units of the album being sold,[8] whilst being Bethel Music's eighth appearance on the chart.[8] The album also registered on Billboard's Digital Albums chart at number 19,[9] and at No. 112 on the all-encompassing Billboard 200 chart for the best-selling albums in the United States.[10]

Track listing

Without Words: Synethesia[1]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Chroma (Intro)"Bobby Strand1:30
2."It Is Well"Kristene DiMarco5:13
3."This Is Amazing Grace"
3:50
4."For the Cross"
4:47
5."Isabelline (Interlude)"Strand1:19
6."Oceans"
5:44
7."Eminence (Interlude)"Strand1:38
8."Seas of Crimson"
4:25
9."Jesus We Love You"
  • Paul McClure
  • Hannah McClure
  • Kalley Heiligenthal
5:55
10."Atramentous (Interlude)"Strand1:34
11."You Make Me Brave"Amanda Cook4:40
12."Luminosity (Interlude)"
  • Strand
  • Michael Spear
4:08
13."Closer"Cook4:37
14."Ultramarine (Interlude)"
  • Strand
  • Chris Greely
1:44
15."Ever Be"
  • Strand
  • Wilson
  • Heiligenthal
  • Greely
4:36
16."Viridian (Interlude)"
  • Greely
  • Eric Lemiere
  • Josiah Sherman
1:49
17."Heaven's Song"Riddle4:55
18."In Over My Head"
  • Johnson
  • John-Paul Gentile
5:07
19."Synesthesia (Outro)"Strand1:34

Charts

Chart (2015) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[11] 60
US Billboard 200[12] 112
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[13] 2
US Digital Albums (Billboard)[14] 10

References

  1. ^ a b "Without Words: Synesthesia by Bethel Music on Apple Music". Apple Music). United States. Apple Inc. July 31, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Sparkman, Kevin (August 1, 2015). "Bethel Music: Without Words: Synesthesia". CCM Magazine. p. 31. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  3. ^ a b McLean, Lauren (July 17, 2015). "Bethel Music' "Without Words: Synesthesia" : An Eye Opener". The Christian Beat. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  4. ^ a b Ryan, Mark (July 29, 2015). "Ethereal Eternity". New Release Today. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  5. ^ "Without Words: Synesthesia". New Release Today. New Release Today. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  6. ^ Longs, Herb (August 13, 2016). "Bethel Music Receives Unprecedented 10 Dove Award Nominations". The Christian Beat. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  7. ^ "2016 Winners | The 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards". GMA Dove Awards. October 11, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  8. ^ a b Asker, Jim (August 12, 2015). "Chris Tomlin Ties Hot Christian Songs Chart Record With Latest Top 10 | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved January 15, 2018. Meanwhile, three acts debut in the Top Christian Albums top 10. Bethel Music tallies its eighth top 10 in as many appearances with Without Words: Synesthesia (No. 2, 5,000 units); Josh Wilson arrives at a career-high No. 4 with That Was Then, This is Now (4,000), passing the No. 5 peak of his last entry, 2013's Carry Me; and Kristene DiMarco makes her first visit with Mighty at No. 7 (4,000).
  9. ^ "Digital Albums Chart | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. August 22, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  10. ^ "Top 200 Albums | Billboard". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. August 22, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  11. ^ Ryan, Gavin (August 8, 2015). "Meghan Trainor 'Title' Is No 1". Noise11. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  12. ^ "Bethel Music Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  13. ^ "Bethel Music Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  14. ^ "Bethel Music Chart History (Digital Albums)".[dead link‍] Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
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