Brave New World (Amanda Cook album)

Background

Cook explained the album with Bethel Music saying, "The process of writing gave me permission to explore and to breathe in a way I didn't know I needed. I was given a gift - to find out what I actually believe about God, to ask big questions, wrestle with what I had been told are answers, and find peace within the mystery. These are my imaginations and confessions put to melodies and music. Brave New World represents a voyage of discovering that God has been on our side all along, that we can live a whole life, full of heart, with a capacity to process pain, wrestle with truth, and find ourselves steady at the end of our pilgrimage. There is an endless possibility for God to create a world within us, a world transformed through the bravery of perfect love. My prayer through this record is that you would experience the reality that you, in fact, house a Brave New World; you are a Brave New World. May you be filled with hope in the One whose mercy is timeless, and whose love for mankind is as boundless as the sea."

Critical reception

Matt Conner, rating the album four stars from CCM Magazine, describes, "The ethereal feel of Brave New World helps Bethel Music's Amanda Cook carve out an impressive and instant niche on her debut solo recording." Indicating in a four star review by Worship Leader, Gary Durbin says, "With this full-length album, you'll experience a very meditative and deep worship journey. I have had this on repeat, and it has been a beautiful soundtrack for personal worship." Joshua Andre, allotting the album four and a half stars by 365 Days of Inspiring Media, responds, "A brilliant album for a well-respected singer songwriter and worship leader!"

Awarding the album four and a half stars at New Release Today, Caitlin Lassiter states, "Amanda Cook has created a beautiful atmosphere of genuine worship and praise with Brave New World." Madeleine Dittmer, giving the album four and a half stars for The Christian Beat, writes, "Brave New World will have you worshiping along with the gracefully written songs from the first listen." Signaling in a four star review from Jesus Freak Hideout, Lucas Munachen responds, "For those looking for songs that are a little more personal than the flashy lights of the stage, taking a voyage to Amanda Cook's new world is definitely worth the while."