Over the last number of years, lofi music has quietly grown in popularity thanks to its laid-back, ambient soundscapes and many bands/artists releasing lofi versions of their songs.

It's here that we meet Special Musick, a new project from Jars of Clay members Charlie Lowell and Matt Odmark. The duo have reimagined ten modern worship songs, ranging from more recent songs like Brooke Ligertwood and Brandon Lake's "Honey In the Rock," Cece Winans's "Believe For It," and Citizens' "Light of Your Grace," to some older "modern classics" like Matt Redman's "10,000 Reasons," and David Crowder Band/John Mark McMillan's "How He Loves."

As someone who has been involved in playing and leading worship music for most of my life, it's cool to hear a different take on these songs. While nothing is drastically different, Special Musick's guitar tones are excellent and their use of keys and synthesizers does a great job of filling in space with the more sparse instrumentation that is usually found in lofi.

In short, Special Musick LoFi Vol. 1 is an enjoyable listen, though more suitable for background noise during devotions, studying, or perhaps before/after a worship gathering.

- Review date: 5/18/23, written by John Mark Amos of Jesusfreakhideout.com