That same spirit led them together to enter into a 40-day fast prior to the recording of their latest album, A Deeper Level, releasing August 28^th. Israel and the New Breed members agreed together to severely restrict themselves in the areas of media, diet, and free time for a period of 40 days, believing that a healthier, sacrificial lifestyle would allow them to better focus their energies on seeking the Lord, on going to ‘a deeper level.’ The fast speaks volumes about their goals and priorities. “Anybody in New Breed will tell you,” says , “that 90% of what we do is not music. About 10% of what we do has to do with the stage, but 90% of it is relationship, unity, consecration.” He adds, “It’s actually living out what we’re singing about on the stage. Our emphasis has never been about how good of a singer you are, but about the chemistry you bring by way of your heart.”

This thick streak of sincerity runs through both the new album and the accompanying book of the same title. The 8 chapter book calls readers into a lifestyle of worship, and immediately and quite noticeably distinctive is its humble, honest tone. writes not as if he’s speaking down to you from above, but rather as if he’s walking by your side, helping and encouraging you. He is quite candid when discussing worship music, and the industry behind it. “Worship has become an industry now. We’ve done exactly what Dr. Judson Cornwall warned us about 20 years ago when he said ‘don’t worship the worship or praise the praise.’ It’s a dangerous place, and so our work is to come back and get as close to the foundations of our faith as we can,” says , “and build again from there.”

With that objective in mind, “A Deeper Level” looks into the power of consecration, going past the trappings of church life and digging into the spiritual realities, moving past our egos, and offering our worship to the Lord through a godly character. As himself says, the process is not for the faint of heart. Throughout the book, the New Breed members contribute short commentaries, often taken from their own devotional journey, on the fine points of the worship lifestyle. They are always presented in the same straightforward manner, and they provide compelling insights into the life of a worshipper. When I asked about the correlating experience of the album, shared that the 40 days of fasting had a profound effect on each member, and as a band they each found their own sensitivity to Scripture heightened. “When you’ve been in a place of extreme focusing, when you’ve pulled away from the distractions of life, lyrics begin to take on a life of their own. We found we were so much more capable of hearing the heart of God and communicating the compassion of God because of our own experiences in His Word.”

That sensitivity and compassion runs like an arterial vein through the album, strikingly evident in songs like “You Are Not Forgotten,” written by Houghton and his wife Meleasa over 10 years ago and recorded with Jonny Lang for the new project. “That song communicates to the heart of everyone,” he relates. “Forgotten kids, soccer moms, fathers in corporate … it ministers to everyone of us who feels like nobody notices what they’re doing here. It comes from the perspective of the heart of God that says, ‘not only do I notice, but I want you to know that I’m keenly aware, and your reward will be great.’”

Israel Houghton calls this the New Breed way, and perhaps this heart has been formed in him by way of his own experiences as a child born to a young, forgotten single teenage mother. He explains with great passion, “I had nothing to do with being born in the I had nothing to do with being born with certain musical proclivities. I could have just as easily been born the little boy I sponsor in . I could have been one of those numbers that blow right by you when people talk about abortions. I see the privilege of why I’m here.” This recognition, this grateful heart, drives the mission of New Breed, in both their music ministry and in the new book. “The New Breed way is we’re not going after one demographic. We’re after the entire body.”

Look out, church. and New Breed are comin’ after you, to take you to “A Deeper Level.” Throw up your hands in surrender.