The music of Pastor Victoria Orenze is grounded in the promise of the gospel as a transformative force. Since rising to prominence in 2017 with a feature on Nathaniel Bassey’s “Alagbada Ina,” Orenze has proven adept at working timeless messages from the Bible and its teachings into her arena-ready revivalist anthems. On her fourth album, Prayer, she explores heavenly supplication as a salve for difficult situations in public and private life.
The album, recorded live in Manchester in October 2024, opens with “We Raise Your Altar,” a fervent call for holiness from Africa to North America that sets the tone for what is to come. “We are people of the word,” she roars, leading her audience in worship on “Fire Fall,” a declarative ownership of their divine heritage. There is a call for celebrations on the kinetic “Sound of Rejoicing” that segues into a time for “Congratulations.” Those rip-roaring anthems sit side by side with more reflective numbers like “As We Pray” and “My Faith Looks up to Thee,” closing out Prayer with a profound call for Holy Ghost–inspired transformation.
