Reaching beyond the trends of the moment, Desperation Band connect with timeless spiritual themes on their ninth album, Banner. Of course, this veteran worship group have always stayed close to core biblical themes in their music. This time, though, band leader Jon Egan (who also serves as worship pastor at New Life Church in Colorado Springs) taps into the passion and drama of the Old and New Testaments in even more explicit ways, both lyrically and musically. Banner’s title track sets the keynote with its prophetic language and galvanizing, arena-sized arrangement. The album’s redemptive message—aimed particularly at youth both in and out of the church—is carried further in such songs as slowly unfolding “Make a Way,” the engagingly rhythmic “Closer to Your Heart,” and the sweetly plaintive “Multiply.” Ballads like “No One Else” and “Fall into You” strike a gently prayerful tone, while the celebratory closing track, “Fun,” beckons believers to dance with joy. Worship leader Kari Jobe joins the group for the soaring “On the Throne.”