Hillsong Young & Free — History and Songs

History and Sound

Hillsong Young & Free emerged from Hillsong’s youth ministry.

From «We Are Young & Free» onward, the team combined worship lyrics with synthesizers and dance rhythms. In «Alive» and «Wake», the electronic elements are just as prominent as the vocal hooks. For the title track of the EP «This Is Living», the group invited rapper Lecrae. These recordings convey the atmosphere of youth gatherings and show how one church developed several musical directions.

Albums and Recordings

On “Youth Revival,” electronic parts continue to shape the character of the songs, but calmer moments appear alongside the energetic “Real Love.” There is also an acoustic version of the project, where the melodies and harmonies are more prominent. Comparing the two arrangements helps show what makes a song recognizable after the tempo and instrumentation change. To explore the later period, try “Best Friends,” where the group’s familiar pop rhythm supports lyrics about peer pressure and choosing the right values.

“Youth Revival Acoustic” on the Hillsong website