Today (May 3), Grammy-nominated multi-instrumentalist Crowder releases “Even in Exile” from his upcoming project. The EXILE is due later this month (May 31) via sixstepsrecords/Capitol Christian Music Group. Incredibly perceptive and timely, the twelve tracks make up the second album in a three-part trilogy that started with ‘Milk & Honey’ (March 2022).
The Texas native headlined Winter Jam this year, and he is set to cap the bill at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in August. He also will be touring with MercyMe as part of the “Together Again… Again Tour” this Fall, and Crowder will headline the “Air1 Tour” in November.
Crowder Releases “Even In Exile” From Upcoming Project
Prepare to embark on a journey with ICF Worship’s latest EP, accurately titled “Undeserving“. This collection of heartfelt songs is made for the season we find ourselves in – a time when the desire to proclaim the power of Jesus and experience more of His presence burns within us.
Each track serves as a reminder of authenticity and faith, resonating with the longing of our hearts to worship unreservedly and declare Jesus as our Rock and the Keeper of our promises. From the vibrant energy of “You Got Me – Live” to the powerful declaration of “Power In Your Name,” each song encapsulates a fervent desire to encounter God in a deeper way.
As you listen, you’ll find yourself swept up in melodies that reflect the goodness of God and the transforming nature of His presence. “Undeserving (Ready For You)” serves as a poignant reminder of our unworthiness, yet our readiness to receive all that God has for us, while “One Thing” anchors us in the unparalleled pursuit of worshipping God above all else.
This EP isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s a journey of faith. So whether you’re singing along in church or letting these melodies fill your home, let Undeserving be the soundtrack to your worship experience. For in His name and presence, all things change.
V1 Worship drops their new song “Your House” (DREAM Worship) today on all streaming service providers. Following the release of their last EP, The Domino Revival, this hopeful dynamic and powerful song was produced by Aaron Kraniak and written by Stephanie Haas.
“Every September we dive into a series called ‘I Love My Church’ where we learn about the function and importance of gathering as the body of Christ. We wrote this song to amplify what God speaks to our church through our pastors during that season, as we worship as one house with many rooms.” – Stephanie Haas, V1 Church
If there is one thing the Gospel music industry can count on from Marvin Sapp, it’s consistency. With seven consecutive #1 albums released between 2007 and 2022 (15 albums released in total) Sapp is preparing to record his next magnum opus.
On May 31st, Marvin Sapp will record his 16th album live at Valley Kingdom Ministries.
“Chicago has always been a great market for me. It’s been a while since I’ve been there, so when I decided to record this album live, I thought it was the perfect time to return,” says Sapp.
Marvin Sapp is known for delivering rich live recording experiences that translate into musical masterpieces. His platinum-selling album Thirsty was recorded live, in addition to Here I Am (2010), You Shall Live (2015), and Chosen Vessel (2020).
“Live recordings are a unique experience because you get to feed off of the energy in the building,” says Sapp. “Sometimes a song will take on a life of its own because of how it shifts the atmosphere and how people respond to it. Recording live is very special and I’m excited about what will happen on May 31st.”
Expected to be released early fall, this album will be the follow up to Substance, which yielded two #1 singles.
Pam Ross’s debut album, “When Therapy Fails,” is a stirring journey through the landscapes of rock, Americana, and country, weaving together a tapestry of raw emotion and musical prowess. Released after an impressive series of singles that stormed the international iTunes charts, this album solidifies Ross as a significant new voice in the genre.
The album kicks off with “Fire In the Hole,” a rousing track that sets a high energy tone with its gritty guitar riffs and Ross’s dynamic vocal delivery. It’s a song that promises an album not just of musical exploration but of deep emotional resonance. Following this, “My Kinda Ride” and “No One Around” continue to build on the album’s thematic core of personal struggle and self-discovery, with the former track showcasing Ross’s ability to blend upbeat rhythms with somber lyrical content.
One of the album’s highlights, “Falling off the Merry Go Round,” encapsulates the essence of the album’s title. Here, Ross delves into more introspective territory, reflecting on cycles of hope and disillusionment, supported by a melodic, lingering guitar that complements her soulful voice perfectly.
It was a song written in response to the Nashville school shootings of last year. “Two Shots of Tequila” shifts the mood, offering a more lighthearted take on dealing with life’s lows through its catchy chorus and vibrant instrumentation.
“You Don’t Know My Name” and “Cornflakes and Beer” stand out for their storytelling prowess, painting vivid pictures of life’s often overlooked moments. The former is particularly compelling, weaving a narrative of anonymity and longing within the bustling world, while the latter uses humor and an unconventional pairing of everyday items to touch on themes of unconventional comfort.
“Better Than a Good Thing,” the album’s chart-topping single, is an anthem of triumphant love and resilience. It’s easy to see why this song resonated with so many, with its infectious chorus and the genuine warmth in Ross’s voice, making it a staple track that will likely be remembered as one of her signature songs.
The album closes with “In Your Smile,” a tender, heartfelt ballad that beautifully showcases Ross’s ability to convey deep emotional truths, wrapping up the album on a note of hopeful melancholy.
Overall, “When Therapy Fails” is a robust debut that offers a blend of energetic tracks and reflective ballads, all tied together by Ross’s powerful vocal delivery and sharp songwriting. This album not only captures the essence of Pam Ross’s unique musical style but also makes a strong statement about her potential longevity in the music industry.
For fans of heartfelt narratives and rich, genre-blending music, “When Therapy Fails” is a must-listen. For a cult classic album recommendation, dive into “Southeastern” by Jason Isbell. This album is a profound exploration of personal demons and redemption, crafted with stunning lyrical honesty and beautiful musicianship, much like the themes in Pam Ross’s work.
Red Street Records’ chart-topping CCM group Consumed By Fire dropped a brand new version of their most recent album First Things First, which includes heartfelt stories and messages from the band members leading into each track.
With a family lineage devoted to ministry, Consumed By Fire, comprised of brothers Josh, Jordan and Caleb Ward, felt called to share their heart and inspiration behind the project that has taken the Christian music space by storm, earning them their first GMA Dove Award and K-Love Fan Awards nomination.
With hits like #2-charted “First Things First,” a climbing top ten single “Walk With Jesus,” and a headlining tour, the First Things First Commentary Album gives listeners a deeper dive into the original thirteen-track album.
Consumed By Fire Releases ‘First Things First Commentary Album’
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Band member Jordan Ward shares, “The idea behind this project was for the three of us to sit down together and open up about the deeper meanings behind these songs that were birthed from one of the most defining chapters in our family’s lives…
There’s quite a few ministry moments that happened naturally throughout this commentary album as we sat together and recounted the truths and scriptures that pulled us through our darkest moments.”
The Ward brothers hope that this project connects with listeners in a whole new way, bringing fresh life to every song. Fans across the country have been able to experience the undeniable passion behind the ministry and musical gifting of Consumed By Fire thanks to their nearly free First Things First Unplugged Tour.
19x Stellar Award Winner, Pastor Mike Jr., (affectionately known as PMJ) releases the highly anticipated new EP, I GOT AWAY.
Dubbed “The New King of Urban Inspiration,” the brand-new EP, features six tracks showcasing PMJ’s eclectic signature sounds. Featuring the powerful collaboration ‘He Got Me‘ with Big Boi from OutKast and the soul-stirring ballad ‘I’m The Problem’, this collection is a testament to resilience and overcoming adversity.
“Get ready to be inspired by the raw emotion and unyielding spirit woven into every note and lyric,” shares Pastor Mike Jr.
Pastor Mike Jr. Drops ‘I GOT AWAY’
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Pastor Mike Jr. has scored five consecutive number-one singles (“Impossible,” “B!G,” “I Got It,” and “Amazing”) on Billboard’s National Gospel Airplay chart. His breakout single “B!G” was recognized as Billboard’s #1 Gospel Airplay Song of 2020.
He serves as the Senior Pastor of Rock City Church in Birmingham, AL. Additionally, Pastor Mike Jr., will be co-headlining the I GOT AWAY Tour, in partnership with McDonalds Inspiration Gospel Concert Tour. The tour will feature gospel music giants: Deitrick Haddon, Pastor Mike Jr., Bri Babineaux and Anthony Brown Jr.
StowTown Records has announced the release of a brand-new recording from popular, multi-award winning quintet, Legacy Five. The recording, appropriately titled 25, hits retail outlets today and celebrates the group’s 25-year legacy of sharing the message of the Gospel in song. “I can’t believe Legacy Five is in our 25th year,” group co-founder, Scott Fowler shares. “This recording is a labor of love, and we hope audiences will enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed making it.”
This “labor of love” is a heartfelt acknowledgement of the blessings God has bestowed upon the group for the past two and a half decades. After the retirement of the popular Cathedral Quartet, the internationally known group Fowler traveled with for nearly a decade, he and fellow Cathedrals’ member and longtime friend, the late Roger Bennett, formed Legacy Five.
Since that formation, God has brought them through numerous challenges and mountain-top experiences, His goodness and mercy sustaining them and allowing the group to enjoy much success. They have risen to the pinnacle of the Southern Gospel music genre.
Produced by multi-Grammy and Dove Award winner, Wayne Haun, 25 features nine classic L5 songs, re-recorded by the group’s current personnel, as well as four new songs which are sure to become L5 hits. This 13-song effort is filled with hope, encouragement and speaks of the steadfast grace and goodness of God.
The recording follows up the group’s Something New recording, which received the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Award nomination for Southern Gospel Album of the Year, and features songs from such prolific writers as Belinda Smith, Joel Lindsey, Sue C. Smith, Gina Boe and Legacy Five group member Lee Black. The first-class male harmony is complemented by a full symphony orchestra with arrangements from the world’s finest orchestrators, including Haun, Brian Eads and Joel Mott.
The debut single from the project, “You Have Always Been My Shepherd,” was released to radio in February and is being embraced by audiences nationwide. Co-written by producer Wayne Haun, industry veteran Dave Clark and renowned CCM hit-maker Don Koch just weeks before Koch’s death, it is a compelling and heartfelt message of the Great Shepherd’s guidance each day and into eternity.
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Longtime fans of Legacy Five will enjoy the group’s remake of “I Stand Redeemed,” one of their most popular songs ever released. This fan-favorite has been reimagined and arranged for the current L5 line-up, comprised of Fowler, Jake Losen, Matt Fouch, Lee Black and pianist Tim Parton.
StowTown Records President and CEO Landon Beene is delighted to release this new recording, commemorating the 25-year anniversary of the group, on the StowTown label. “Legacy Five has been a household name in Southern Gospel Music for more than two decades,” Beene states. “This project is the perfect balance of the fresh, new sound of L5, mixed in with those monumental moments that L5 fans have loved for 25 years. We are so honored to be a part of this great release!”
Award-winning songwriter Ellie Holcombhas released a special new project, All of My Days, which is a Psalms-based album. This beautiful collection of curated scripture has carried her personally through difficult times.
What began as snippets of scripture penned to melodies on her social media channels, Holcomb expands on her “Memory Mondays” for her latest musical endeavor with seven beautiful and thoughtfully penned songs based on her favorite Psalms. Holcomb once again partnered with her dad and award-winning producer Brown Bannister as well as her keys player and friend Jac Thompson.
“Over the years, I’ve found this raw authenticity and spaciousness that I’ve clung to in the Psalms time and time again, which has made me always want to make a Psalms record,” shares Ellie Holcomb. “I’ve always been drawn to David and his honesty. I couldn’t believe this ‘man after God’s own heart’ made some of the decisions that he did.
He was a total disaster in so many ways, and yet, he came full of doubt, mess, praise, and repentance into the presence of God. I think it was the permission to be HUMAN, to struggle, to doubt, to need reminders of what is true, and to find a resounding, yes it is okay to be human, time and time again in the Psalms.”
Coinciding with this project is the April 16th release of her devotional, Fighting Words: Expanded Limited Edition which features ten bonus devotionals, new interior flourishes, and an extra art piece inside. Seven Psalms included in the expanded edition will have a song to accompany it from All of My Days.
All Of My Days – Ellie Holcomb
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Celebrating her album release, Holcomb will appear again on the historic stage of the Grand Ole Opry tonight performing from All of My Days. Check out Opry.com for tickets or ways to watch her performance tonight or tune into the Opry radio channel WSM.
REVERE’s new album “Unscripted: Live from Stockholm” emerged from a night of worship in one of Stockholm’s oldest churches, Clara Church. In June of 2023, on National Sweden Day, the album was recorded in the cathedral with minimal instruments and 500 people praising the Lord together in different languages from around the world.
The authenticity and Holy Spirit-led experience translated through “Unscripted” invites listeners to play a part in zealous worship. Mark Alan Schoolmeesters says his favorite song on the album is “The Lord Our God” because everyone immediately joined Alfred Nygen in singing the first line of the song as if they already knew it.
Schoolmeesters expresses his desire for the album to always point to the Lord when he states, “I hope that these songs bring people back to seeing the beauty of Jesus.”
