The lads of Rend Collective have enough collective (see what I did there?) energy as a band to power their own live shows; lights, speakers, videos and all. And this energy is not limited to the stage either. The band is almost in a constant state of creativity, and the traditional album release cycle is no match for the output that these fine fellows are capable of. According to the band’s social media page, the new EP, The Evergreen Season, is a collection of odds and ends created in the last year that needed somewhere to go. But far from a thrown-together collection, Evergreen feels cohesive and zesty at the same time. The Irishmen of Rend Collective have always been a rambunctious bunch, but this collection of songs may be their most high-spirited one yet.

“Runaway Heart” stomps and claps its way out of the gate with a pulsing beat and a great set of lyrical ideas based on the parables of the prodigal son and the lost sheep: “I chased that pot of gold / like a prodigal / And turned my back on home / But home never turned his back on me / I heard the siren call and squandered all / My treasure on fool's gold / There's a black hole inside of this black sheep / But You never turned Your back on me / God, You race to the runaway / The runaway, the runaway / God, You race to the runaway heart / Oh. Your grace takes my breath away / My breath away, my breath away / God, You race to the runaway heart.”

“Evergreen” continues this burst of energy with a fantastic lyrical metaphor from nature about the unchanging ways of the Lord (known in theological terms as His “immutability”): “Forever and ever, You're evergreen / You're evergreen in every season / I know I can trust You / Evergreen winter or springtime / Your heart is in full bloom / Evermore calm or storm / I can count on You / Forever and ever, You're evergreen.” With banjos and fiddles all around, the old-timey sound of these worship tunes is a balm to the soul in these days of AI anxiety and artificial music.

But it’s the epic sea shanty “Salt And Light” that might be the most old-timey musical moment here. Sounding like pirates of long ago, the band puts their collective hearts into this sing-song encouragement to the body of Christ to be what Jesus called us to be in this world; namely salt and light to those around us. The following “Wild Love”, inspired by the famous quote in C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe about Aslan (the Christ figure in the novel) being “good”, but not at all “safe.” With its careening, zig-zag rhythm and the unhinged vocals of lead singer Chris Llewellen, “Wild Love” might be the most riotous Rend Collective song of them all.

The bagpipes and vocals of Scottish singer-songwriter collaborator Cammy Barnes bring more epic vibes to the already full basket of songs, and it’s only a repeat of “Do It Alone” (this time with singer-songwriter Jervis Campell) that mars the terrific track order and energy level.

The Evergreen Season may be a collection of leftovers from a year’s worth of songwriting meals, but it’s still a tremendously spicy and satisfying experience.

- Review date: 9/15/26, written by Alex Caldwell of Jesusfreakhideout.com