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Worship music nerds of the world, unite!
It’s a day of music sharing.
Here are a number of albums that I’ve been loving:
  | Bethel Music: Loft Sessions I've been anticipating this album for a long time and it doesn't disappoint. Bethel releases music that is relentlessly fresh and prophetic. Make sure you pick this up. |
  | The Brilliance When I heard that Michael Gungor's brother was making worship music that was a little bit different, I was intrigued. This album combines a gentle, simple, orchestral feel that is simply beautiful. I look forward to more from these guys. |
  | One Sonic Society: Forever Reign I know I talk about OSS a lot, but I just love the synergy in this music. Great songs, great energy. |
  | Rend Collective Experiment: Homemade Worship By Handmade People Probably my favorite worship album in a long while. You can't help but smile, sing, and shout when you listen to this. Very innovative and fun. |
  | Gungor: Ghosts Upon The Earth Due to all the publicity that Gungor already receives, I wasn't going to post this. But it's a really great album. From start to finish it's an amazing musical journey. |
  | Jeremy Riddle: Furious Jeremy Riddle blows me away with his songwriting and vocals. While a lot of these songs are on recent Bethel albums (which are better, btw) I still enjoyed this. |
  | All Sons & Daughters: Reason To Sing All Sons & Daughters are a refreshing sound among other worship music. There's a sense of lament and desperation that arises from their music. Love it. |
  | Elevation Worship: For The Honor You knew I would post this. Love Elevation. Love this album. |
  | David Vallier & Amber Brooks: Sovereign I first heard these guys on the Morningstar EP "Crash This Place" and was immediately drawn in. This is an intense live album, be warned. But awesome. |
  | Rita Springer: The Playlist Album When Rita sings, you feel closer to God. This is a beautiful album that really allows her strengths to shine. |
What is some current music you’ve been inspired by? Let us know in the comments!
Fresh? Inspiring creativity? Hmm…
Don’t get me wrong, I love most of these, but Bethel, One Sonic Society, Jeremy Riddle (one of my favorite worship leaders ever), & Elevation are all pretty… well… normal. Stylistically, each can easily be compared to dozens of other secular and Christian artists – and other worship artists. Again, I like them, but what stood out to you as “fresh” or unique/creative, particularly with Elevation. I’ve tried to get into them for a while now – I’ve listened to some of their CDs 20+ times, & they just strike me as Hillsong United/Hillsong London lite, but without songs I can really sink my teeth into (or use). Your task: convince me otherwise?
Is there something on their latest that is far above the rest that I should give a chance?
In those artist’s place, I’d add John Mark McMillan, Aaron Keyes, Jonathan David Helser, Joe Day, Sojourn, Classic City Collective, Daniel Bashta, & Brian Wurzell to your list. Those guys are not only serving the local church, & corporate, but bringing in styles/instrumentation/genres unique to the worship or even Christian platform, and they pretty consistently blow my mind… really open me up to trying new things and experimenting. Familiar with any of those?
blessings, bro!
Hey Shannon! I’ve listened to most of the artists you mentioned and love them too. I just haven’t listened to them as recently. As far as Elevation goes, they inspire me as a worship ministry more than they do with their music, if that makes sense. I love how they’ve built their team and fulfill their pastor’s vision. I suppose that wasn’t explicit in how I presented it. I’m also not saying it’s the most innovative music out there, but something that does inspire me.
I look forward to checking out a couple artists you mentioned!
And HOW in the WORLD could I have forgotten United Pursuit?!?!?! Wow.
Great List David…
I’ve just recently gotten into Gungor…
Recently like last week recently!
I know!!!! where’ve i been right?!!!! lol…
good stuff…
Ahhh… gotcha, bro. By the way, someone else I think you’d really like is my buddy David Walker… check out “Songs of Sons & Lovers”
I’ll throw my vote towards Daniel Bashta. I love the “rawness” that he brings, the vulnerability that he brings in that you can tell, even in his recordings, that what he sings is authentic and is a reflection of his heart. My $.02
I really enjoyed Daniel’s album as well. So intense!
I always look forward to these posts from you, David. Lots for me to check out. I’ve also enjoyed The Hymns EP by Benjamin Dunn.
Oohh…haven’t heard that yet
Haven’t heard of any of except Gungor, (who I like) but I’m going to check out Bethel Music. Sounds great. So… let me add some that you all probably never heard of:
-Shana Wilson: The Nations Are Waiting
-William McDowell: As We Worship, his second one just dropped, entitled “Arise”
-Christ For the Nations
-Freddy Rodriguez-Champions
-Trent Cory
City on Fire LIVE (particularly a song called Song of the Free.
Some great new ones to check out. Thanks Glenda!
A recent highlight for me is the Alive EP by the Brothers McClurg (formerly Relevant Worship). Good stuff!
Haven’t heard this. Thanks for the recommendation!
Bro, how did you get a copy of The Loft Sessions already? It’s not out until next week!
They’re also working on the next Bethel Live which they are going to record the next two weekends. I might try and get up there for one of them.
Also been loving the David Vallier/Amber Brooks album!
The Holy Spirit dropped it in my inbox
David,
I love these posts! I am really diggin “The Brilliance” This is something interesting and new and I love the orchestral sound of it. Lately I have been listening to a song called No Rest by Dry the River. While I could not find anything saying it is a Christian Song. The lyrics are quite moving. I have also really been getting into For the Honor. Some of my favorites from that album are We Rejoice and The Church.
“The Church” is my favorite Elevation song.
Jason Upton is one of my favorites right now!
+1 to Daniel Bashta’s album. Ridiculous.
John Mark McMillan’s Economy is really good. There’s something raw about his songs that feels very refreshing.
And I can’t leave out Crowder’s new album. I love how they seem to bring something new to the table with every album. Too bad it’s their last.
A good friend of mine, Matt Jackson, has a worship EP that’s really unique and cool. He uses horns and strings and creates this modern worship/Motown/folk fusion. Really cool. Listen at http://iammattjackson.com/ and be sure and check out the song “The Healer.”
Thanks Jamie. Sounds awesome. I look forward to checking it out!
An album that still on my lips is “music inspired by The Story” by various artists. It might be of last year but every line of that album has really affected my thought pattern. However, this is a great list you’ve put together.
LOVING Leeland right now.
“Love is On the Move” – pretty sweet
“The Great Awakening” – just getting into this album…so good!
The only album I really got into from them is their first. Sound of Melodies, Tears of the Saints – amazing songs!
Hi David,
That is a solid list of Christian albums! I can understand where Shannon’s “fresh” comment is coming from though, with most of those albums bearing a classic ‘Nashville’ sound and production values (IMHO).
I am biased, but another album that is receiving broad positive feedbasck, is our own “Living Devotion”. St Paul’s (spchMusic) recorded a LIVE acoustic album last year and I would welcome the thoughts and comments of you and your readers:
http://www.spch.org.au/livingdevotion
Be blessed
I also meant to add these albums, worthy of consideration:
David Crowder Band – Give Us Rest (epic, concept album)
10,000 Reasons – Matt Redman
Fantastic albums! 10,000 Reasons is one of all time favs.