I was still in when the book was released. It was a real turning point for me.
I happen to be a musician, studied Music Compostion and Theory in college (pre-Witness of course), played more than 10 instruments, composed music, and had 5 years of Voice training to become a singer. So I "know" music. When I got this new songbook, I could tell that the entire collection had to have been composed by one person or a very small group of persons working together. Also I could tell the music was very chant-like; it was not beautiful "art" that evoked feelings and emotions, but rather, it was empty and hypnotic chanting. Sort of like when military troops march, they have chants that keep them focused on their marching. One person shouts out a line of the chant, then the entire squadron repeats it. We did it in the Air Force. It was kind of fun, actually. We'd make up chants. Some were a little humorous. You might be familiar with this one:
We're in the Army now.
We're not behind the plow.
We never get rich, we never can quit.
We're in the Army now.
So this is how I perceive the new songs. Chants to constantly reindoctrine the rank and file witnesses.