When the VOUS Worship team set out to create the Dying to Be Different (Stripped) album, they weren’t just re-recording songs; they were rediscovering them. The goal was simple: take the heart of each track and present it in its purest, most unfiltered form. 

Creating Within Constraints 

The biggest challenge wasn’t creative – it was time. With only a four-week runway to complete the entire process, every moment counted. The team has to move fast, from selecting songs and scheduling rehearsals to arranging music and scouting the perfect venue to record. 

But constraint often fuels creativity. “We had to make decisions in real time,” Pastor Luke Barry shared. “There wasn’t room to second-guess. Every rehearsal felt alive with collaboration and trust.” 

Choosing the Sound

Coming off the previous project, D2BD, VOUS Worship already had a deep connection to the songs. They knew which ones carried a unique resonance and could be re-imagined in a new way. The vision was clear – a truly live record. 

Except for a few subtle synths and acoustic guitar touches added in post-production, every sound you hear on the Dying to Be Different (Stripped) album was captured live in the room: drums, bass, guitars, keys, and vocals. The result is raw and real – a snapshot of worship as it happened, not polished after the fact. 

Simplicity and Intention

The heart behind the Dying to Be Different (Stripped) album was to present these songs in their simplest form – to return to the essence of why they were written in the first place. “We approached this project almost like we were creating demos,” Barry explained, “versions that could help teach the melodies and capture the heartbeat of the song.” 

By simplifying chord progressions and instrument parts, the team found clarity. What remained was powerful: worship that feels accessible, unpretentious, and deeply genuine. 

Heart & Vision

For VOUS Worship, music is more than a sound – it’s service. The team’s prayer for Dying to Be Different (Stripped) reflects every project they’ve ever undertaken: that listeners would encounter God, be encouraged in their faith, and that churches would be equipped with songs declaring the goodness of God and the truth of the Gospel. 

“Our hope is that hearing these songs in a new way will help other churches and worship leaders see what’s possible in any context,” Barry shared. “Sometimes less really is more.”

If the team had to sum up the project in one word? Simple. But simple doesn’t mean easy – it means intentional.

Collaboration in Motion

The recording process was far from glamorous. The team tracked the album in an old, long-unused building that came with its share of challenges. Yet the environment added to the beauty of it all. “It wasn’t the most comfortable setup,” Barry admitted. “But we felt unified the entire time.” 

That sense of unity began in rehearsals. As they experimented with stripped-back arrangements, ideas were forming on the spot – new sounds, spontaneous chord changes, fresh harmonies. Many of those unplanned moments became part of the final recordings. 

Even the choice of venue was a divine surprise. A team member suggested it late in the process, and it immediately elevated the vision. “It was exactly what we didn’t know we needed,” Barry said.

The Power of Team

With limited time and a simplified format, every member had to stay closely in tune – both musically and spiritually. The project leaned heavily on collaboration, quick creativity, and a shared sense of purpose. 

“So much of what made this album special came from the unique gifts of our team,” Barry reflected. “It’s one thing to plan every note, but something entirely different to capture the energy of people creating together in the moment.”

Broader Impact

In an era where worship production often trends toward elaborate, Dying to Be Different (Stripped) offers something refreshingly grounded. “We love all expressions of worship,” Barry explained. “But this was a chance to show that a song can connect powerfully even in its most minimal form.” 

For other churches considering a similar project, the VOUS Worship Team’s encouragement is simple: Trust the vision God has given you. Push through the process. Work together as a team.

The result? A sound that’s not just heard – it’s felt. A reminder that sometimes, when you strip everything else away, what remains is the purity of worship. 

For resources and ways you can bring these songs into your house, follow the link below.

Chord & Lyric Charts: https://www.praisecharts.com/profiles/9550/vous-worship-sheet-music?mc_cid=4c96a80753&mc_eid=UNIQID