Smith performed from a piano in the center of a "throng of worshippers," aiming to capture the raw energy and "spirit in the room". Dual Release: Surrounded
Released just one week prior on February 16, 2018, this was a studio pop album. Awaken: The Surrounded Experience: Michael W Smith Surrounded Album Zip
The inspiration for Surrounded came from Smith’s desire to create a "countercultural response" to social and political division. He was particularly moved by the biblical passage Amos 5:23-24 , which suggests that God desires justice alongside songs of worship. By recording "in the round," Smith intended to shift the focus away from himself and toward a unified collective voice. Critical Reception Smith performed from a piano in the center