…what limits? Exuding the brave confidence it takes to defy all impossibility, Christian-Rock Artist Jodi Essex’s upcoming six-track EP, “Fearless,” is a call to build the Kingdom with the strength of a warrior. Having survived cancer at 25, Essex’s courageous perspective on life is powered by an innate sense of mission and belief all people have immeasurable worth. In the face of turbulence and adversity, especially when it comes to sharing the Gospel, “Fearless” is about learning to fear less, conquering fear with unshakable faith; “Fearless” lyrics implore listeners to be “steadfast in [their] fight” in the title track and music video out June 24, 2022, and the “Fearless” EP out July 8, 2022. 

“We are encouragers called to serve,” Essex declares, “regardless of what that looks like in our respective lives. We must be bold and fearless in our leadership, proclaiming the unrelenting and powerful sway of our Almighty.” She goes on to ask, “When did Jesus shy away from doing what must be done?!?!”

Through an inspired collaboration with Artist/Producer Josiah Prince of Disciple, Jodi Essex’s EP was co-written at Prince’s renowned studio, “The Ranch,” in Nashville, TN. With a process Essex describes as having “an easy ebb and flow,” Prince has raised the bar with respect to her rock-infused sound; the EP also features creative collaborations with Mix Engineer Matthew Arcaini, Sam Moses of Moses Mastering, PR with The Marketing Mixtape and Endeavor for Content Creation. As Essex went into the studio for this music project, there was a desire for transparency to answer age-old questions about how to stave off fear. Woven throughout all six songs are themes of fearlessness from previously-released singles “Offend,” about speaking one’s beliefs boldly, to “Unravel,” peeling back layers of vulnerability in God’s presence. In addition to the title track, “Fearless” includes “Lean,” encouraging listeners to boundlessly lean into God during struggles while also resisting the chaotic flow of culture, “Bandaid” about embracing instantaneous tenacity and “Shine,” a reggae-rock track about exuding the inextinguishable light from within.

Jodi Essex’s music has caught the attention of industry gatekeepers and listening audiences alike. In “Fearless,” the relentless six-track series continues Essex’s unapologetic proclamation of the Gospel. Her debut album released Summer 2020, “Irreverent,” instantly resonated with listeners as featured tracks rose into top-20 ranking. Essex’s music has been celebrated by outlets including NewReleaseToday, CCM Magazine, JesusFreakHideout and Worship Leader Magazine who gave it rave reviews. In addition, Essex’s debut album quickly racked up over 70k streams on Spotify, where its songs landed on several prominent playlists, including “New Music Friday Christian.” With the album release for “Irreverent,” Essex took to the [cyber] stage with a livestream performance, proving her ability to bring ground-breaking messages to life in person. 

No matter what walls may exist in her listeners’ lives, “Fearless” was created to help them tear it down with the profound might of a living, breathing relationship with Jesus Christ. “In turn,” Essex offers, “the same can afford us the opportunity to build ourselves back up stronger and more fearless than we could ever imagine.” 

GRAMMY Award-winning rock band Switchfoot releases the deluxe edition of interrobang. The original collection debuted to critical acclaim last year (Aug 20). In celebration of the release, Switchfoot debuted the official visualizer for “sound of holding breath,” which can be viewed below.

“Writing and recording this album during the chaotic uncertainty of 2020, was an experience unlike any that we’ve ever had as a band. To say that there was a lot to write about would be a laughable understatement. But hard times are often the most inspiring ones, and the making of interrobang was certainly a season of growth and creativity for us as a band, yielding a large collection of songs — too many for one album. Or maybe not. interrobang (deluxe) is our chance to include some of our favorite b-sides from the album, including a fresh one called “youth of the young” that you can stream anywhere and everywhere now! The deluxe edition also features a couple epic remixes from friends lovelytheband & Sir Sly.” -Switchfoot

The band defines interrobang as “a question mark, an exclamation mark, together.” The 12-track project harks back to Switchfoot’s classic rock motifs while underscoring a definitive departure from the band’s typical fanbase. With production assist from the legendary Tony Berg (Paul McCartney, Phoebe Bridgers, Kimbra), interrobang promises Switchfoot fans old and new a fresh, never-before-seen take on the modern rock mainstays.

SEU Worship releases new music with their EP titled Praise You Again. The official live video for the title track can be viewed below. Praise You Again is available now.

‘A Thousand Shores’ marks a new chapter for the Seattle-born alternative band Citizens. This new EP cuts across the endless questions and mystery woven into the journey of discovering God with melodies and lyrics that reach deep places in the human soul. A Thousand Shores is available now.

Citizens have been writing songs that tell true and relatable stories since the beginning, and this 5-track project continues to carry their legacy with new grace and beauty. Frontman Zach Bolen mentions that “it became clear that this record was meant to be an invitation to step out from behind our defenses and to surrender ourselves into the mystery of Christ.”

Through the process of writing these songs, Citizens ultimately came to the conclusion that God is is bigger than we can possibly know. And through this, the band desire to tend to the wounds we inflict on each other by rejecting our different points of view. ‘A Thousand Shores’ seeks to build a bridge between the many groups of people that are being driven further and further apart by their belief systems.

Sonically, this new project embodies the feelings Citizens get when thinking about our Infinite Destiny: “The synths are adventurous. The guitars are forceful and yet often untamed. The vocals are desperate for more. The rhythm section is steady but not mundane or without its surprises,” Zach says. ‘A Thousand Shores’ dares us to dream beyond what’s visible, to ask questions beyond the comprehensible, and to embrace dancing in the mystery. Citizens inspire us to reconsider our perception of the Divine with music that pushes the boundaries of what “Church music” usually sounds like.

Dallas-based singer/songwriter and worship leader Davy Flowers is celebrating two major milestones this week with the release of her full-length debut, I Was Loved, as well as the success of the record-breaking “The Kingdom Tour,” which currently ranks as one of Pollstar’s Live 75 top outings. 
 
Flowers’ highly anticipated debut from The Worship Initiative, I Was Loved was produced by Shane Barnard (Shane & Shane) with two tracks produced by Bryan Fowler (TobyMac). A worshipful pop collection exuding intimate joyfulness, I Was Loved includes songwriting contributions from such names as Mia Fieldes, Sarah Reeves and Lindy Conant, among others. Featuring 12 tracks—11 of which were co-penned by Flowers—the album opens with “You,” an earnest proclamation of Christ’s sufficiency, and is highlighted by such selections as the debut single and title-cut, an autobiographical piano-driven ballad; and “Oh, But God,” a jubilant anthem celebrating His grace. 
 
“Every single declaration of Truth on this record I have truly FOUGHT to believe for many of the years that I have walked with Christ,” Flowers shares. “I have struggled to believe that the Father is never going to stop loving me, regardless of the rise and fall of my own weak attempt to love and serve Him. Yet, He has set His affection on us and determined before the foundation of the world that we belong to Him! Our position in the family of God has been purchased and sealed by the sacrifice of Christ, who alone is worthy of our wholehearted worship and abandoned obedience.”   

“Davy has been part of The Worship Initiative community for a while, and we’ve gotten to know her very well,” says Shane Barnard. “She has always been deeply passionate about Jesus and His living Word, and she’s a natural fit with the mission of The Worship Initiative. We couldn’t be more excited to help Davy share her songs and her heart with the world.”

Flowers is currently on the road performing with Housefires, special guests along with Jonathan McReynolds on the 37-city “The Kingdom Tour” headlined by GRAMMY-winning collective Maverick City Music and 16-time GRAMMY winner Kirk Franklin. Kicking off June 1 at Miami’s FTX Arena, the tour also hit Orlando’s Amway Center, Tampa’s MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre, and Atlanta’s Lakewood Amphitheatre in its first weekend, breaking a record for highest gate gross amount with a combined total audience of more than 50,000 people.

Born and raised in Houston, Davy Flowers currently serves as a resident artist at The Worship Initiative in Dallas, as well as a worship leader at Dallas’ Watermark Community Church. Her music reflects a story of healing and triumph in Jesus, and her passion is to connect broken and weary hearts with the power, presence and love of God through her songs and worship leading.

We’ve all waited for a lot of things in the past but nothing compares to the wait for CalledOut Music’s highly anticipated album. My Beautiful Reality (MBR), the album, is indeed a beauty! Listening to each track, you hear the maturity of sounds he’s explored over the years. He invites longtime friends – Guvna B, Samm Henshaw, IMRSQD, StillShadey, Zo Chilengwe along for the ride including other budding newcomers such as RORE who released her first single last month. 

According to Samuel, “Since I decided to accept the direction that God wanted me to go over 5 years ago, it has been a roller coaster ride full of steep drops and high climbs, happy crescendos and worrying troughs that got me shook. Until now, there hasn’t been a lack-luster moment. When I quit my well paying job to face music full time, I didn’t quite realize how tough it would be. It’s a miracle that I’m still doing CalledOut Music with a smile on my face – I remain super grateful.”

With each song blending seamlessly into the next, listeners are taken on a journey of life, trials, faith and what it means to be unconditionally loved by an ever-present Father. From the first track which features his father, to a track that his tribe demanded after its live performance in the USA, to his spin on classic songs, there is indeed a song for every believer no matter the stage you are at in your Christian walk.

With sounds and genre blends that feel like a cool summer breeze, COM comes up with something pretty distinctive on MBR. 

When asked about the significance of this album, CalledOut says “ ‘My Beautiful Reality’ represents my journey to date. My music has gone through seasons which have culminated in the Reality that no matter what I go through, He will always be there for me. That’s what I wish to share with this album – the fact that God, even in the noise and silence, the highs and lows; will always be there. It’s a realization that I’m glad to have landed softly and confidently into. I pray that everyone that listens falls in love with Jesus all over again, not just because of what He can give but because of who He is.”

With 11 breath-taking tracks, CalledOut Music highlights the life experiences that have pointed him to the beautiful reality that God is ever-present.  At times devastatingly heartfelt and heavy, and in other places unbelievably refreshing and light, the stellar album is now available on digital platforms;

My Beautiful Reality – Calledout Music

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California-bred rock and roll band Gable Price & Friends (The Boys) have amassed a large following since their crowd-funded start in 2018. They have joined the Capitol Christian Music Group family of artists and are re-releasing their well-received released EP If I’m Being Honest on the label with two new live versions added. The updated EP is available today here along with a music video for “I Need You.”

“Gable Price & Friends are an incredible rock and roll band,” share Brad O’Donnell (CCMG, Co-President) and Hudson Plachy (CCMG, Co-President) about the new partnership. “With their high energy and personalities, you can’t help but be a fan. We are thrilled that they have found their home here at Capitol CMG and honored to partner with them. We can’t wait to see everything the future holds for this talented band.”

The EP was originally released in 2021 independently and has received nearly three million streams on Spotify and Apple Music. Their independent debut album, Fractioned Heart, was released in 2020 and has more than 10 million global streams.

Growing their fanbase since their start, Gable Price and Friends currently has more than 111K Spotify monthly listeners with more than 25K followers. The band just wrapped up as direct support for the King’s Kaleidoscope’s Club tour. They will be opening up for select dates for For King & Country followed by joining John Mark McMillan’s West Coast tour. The Boys are also gearing up for the creation of their new album. More information forthcoming on the new music.

Dr GP (Pharm.D) popularly known as Gepei Rx has released his debut album “Untampered Grace”.

Real name Onogoro Godspower David also known as Gepei Rx, is a Pharmacist by profession/Health Talk specialist and a Christian artiste with “da vibe”. Gepei is a multi-talented Christian artiste whose intent is to make good music that is both a “BANGER” and a “BLESSER” at the same time, making use of Afro Pop and hip-hop genres of music to get Youths both in the church and outside the church rocking to melodious tunes with Christ at the centre of the message.

“Untampered Grace” album was inspired by the dawning realization of the love of God in Christ Jesus towards us that inspite of our shortcomings and faults His love and grace towards us has remaining unaffected, undiminished.

Gepei shares his excitement about the album this way; “I used to feel bad, i used to lose hope because of the situations around me, until I took a chill pill and decided to TALK 2 GOD, now I realize i am loved, i am cherished and I have Christ so i have everything wow, truly AM BLESSED because of His great love for me He has opened the window of heaven to pour down BLESSINGS (SHOWER).

I live my life everyday without fear of defeat already in Christ I am a WINNER, some said i would remain a loner all my life with no one to call AIYEMÉ, but e shock dem all now cos am sure they realize by now what God cannot do E NO DEY EXIST.”

“Untampered Grace” is now available on all digital stores;

Ian Yates’ sixth album, released in two parts – Part 1 (June 24th 2022) and Part 2 (Sept 30th 2022), ‘Between The Joy And The Sorrow’ is a collection of honest songs of living in the tension of life’s joys and sorrows.

Musically, Yates found inspiration in a number of singer/songwriters including 70’s folk singer Nick Drake, Foy Vance, Alexi Murdoch, Bob Dylan and the ‘Nebraska’ album from Bruce Springsteen. Many of the songs are stripped back musically focusing on the lyrical content.

Yates says, “I wanted to write really honest songs, I’ve always tried to write songs of truth and authentic songs of hope. These songs are born out of the last two years as we’ve navigated this pandemic. Throughout this time I have come back to a simple trust in God. Often, I found myself disappointed with the things I’d seen, I found myself getting frustrated and lost in the opinions of people, the many perceptions of God, the incorrect prophecies, the politics and politicians. But at the end of the day, I’m only responsible for myself and I had to look at myself and say, am I living a life of true devotion and worship? Am I living the way of Jesus? There’s a lot of strong voices out there and am I listening to God’s voice? Over the last 2 years I’ve felt like I’ve been living in the tensions of God’s faithfulness and provision yet facing struggles and wrestling with the things I’d seen. My prayer is that these songs bring hope to those who have been disillusioned and remind those who have been disappointed that there is a light in the darkness, there is a Father who loves his children.”

Ian is a Christian worship leader and songwriter from Liverpool, UK. He leads musical worship at his home church Bootle Elim and is part of Elim Sound, the national worship department for the Elim movement. Ian is married to Kate, they have 3 young children, Jackson, Elijah and Abiah.

Sandra McCracken introduces her new album ‘Light In The Canyon’ recorded live at Laity Lodge in the hill country of Texas. This album compiles some of her most influential church and worship songs, putting a jazz twist on each of them.

‘Light In The Canyon’ has a timeless feel as the songs hold a space in the worship sphere that seems to have been around since the beginning of the genre itself.

For those who have been following Sandra McCracken’s musical journey for so many years, these versions mark where she is at right now, a place of fresh exploration and desire for community.

For new listeners, the artist notes, “this is the side of me that speaks about my heart, my faith, and I am so glad you are here.” Sandra McCracken wanted to craft a memorable project; one that was filled with different musicians’ flair and captured the atmosphere of the recording and its surroundings. ‘Light In The Canyon’ is the musical expression going alongside Sandra McCracken’s recent book ‘Send out your light: The illuminating power of scripture and song.’ The singer-songwriter hopes to invite people to knock at and open a door that they might not have even been looking for through ‘Light In The Canyon’.

‘Light In The Canyon’ is available now.