After recently coming back with a Pentecost-themed single titled ‘Move’, Worship For Everyone release a new song, ‘Love In Action’. Nick and Becky Drake, who lead the all age worship movement, are based at Gas Street Church in Birmingham, UK, where a local primary school’s strapline is “God’s love in action”. The new single takes inspiration from this motto and involves the St John’s and St Peter’s CE Academy choir, building delicate vocal layers on an electropop background.
‘Love In Action’ showcases Worship For Everyone’s trademark energetic and clean sound as the lyrics point to the reality of living out Christ’s love, reminding us that love is a verb and not just a hopeful concept. ‘Love In Action’ is a missional song, “it is important as we seek to raise a generation of disciples who will represent Jesus in their schools, homes and workplaces,” Becky, who lends her vocals to the new track, says. Carrying on the heart of the Worship For Everyone movement, the new single seeks to be a great resource for churches, schools and families to remind them of their purpose and calling as members of God’s family.
Kate Stanford, a rising vocal tour-de-force in the world of Christian Music, is poised to release her new single Til Love,today, July 8, on all major music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
Til Love promises to be a pop anthem for summer. With lush harmonies showcasing her ethereal vocals and an upbeat sing-a-long chorus, the song celebrates God’s unstoppable and unconditional love, and our hope that the world will be transformed by His promises. “I wanted to write a song that was a big, joyful celebration,” she shares. “Til Love was born from the idea that we can bring change. We can show the love of Christ to the world. I hope to inspire others to step out and fearlessly be the hands and feet of Jesus, so we bring healing to our world.”
Wanna wade into the fire
Wanna walk on the water
Without sinking
Without burning
Can’t fake it anymore
Not afraid to risk it like before
Do you want to
Cause I want to
It might never feel this way again
Maybe tonight’s the night we’re gonna win
Lost in it all, Lost in the feeling
Break down the walls
Break through the ceiling
Oh I’m never coming down
Never giving up
’Til Love Rules the World
Kate continues, “The lyrics, specifically ‘…break down the walls, break through the ceiling…’ are especially powerful to me as they illustrate breaking through the hatred and imperfections of this world. As humans we are so often divided and imperfect. We can only find true perfection and unconditional love in Jesus.”
For Til Love, Kate once again enlisted the talents of two-time GRAMMY nominee, writer/producer Cindy Morgan, who previously produced several songs for the young artist. As their partnership continues to blossom, Cindy continues to hone Katie’s songwriting and vocal talents, creating an unmistakable signature sound.
“It’s been an honor to get to work with Cindy on several projects,” Kate shares. “Working with her feels like a perfect partnership, on both a professional, and a personal level. I am honored to know what she has my back both in the studio, and in life.”
A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Kate grew up singing anywhere she could lend her voice. Over the past 4 years however, the young artist has been focused on her craft. In 2019, one of her first solo shows was an opportunity to open for Jaci Velasquez. This was a pivotal moment in her blossoming career, as it reaffirmed her passion for songwriting, singing, and ministry.
While music is always her passion, her drive doesn’t stop there. As she prepares to begin her senior year at The University of Texas, Kate balances her career with her education, staying focused on both her calling as an artist and as a student. She is even looking ahead to applying to law school or an MBA program after graduating to compliment her ministry. She shares, “Finishing my degree is so important to me. With my major, I am learning how to better understand and communicate with people where they are, at any stage in life. With my minor in business, I hope to be able to better shepherd my career and be a good steward of the past that God has placed before me.”
Thrive Worship recently released ‘Pour Your Spirit (Live)’, an album that brought listeners and church communities to experience the powerful culmination of years of intensively seeking the Lord.
The Californian worship team introduced the project with standout song ‘Coming Back,’ a track that encapsulates the ardent desire for an authentic relationship with God and extends the invitation to lay down all striving and get back to the wonder and joy of truly knowing Jesus.
Now introducing a deluxe version of ‘Coming Back’ including a radio edit, Thrive Worship remind us that there is still a lot to come from their worshipful expression of what God is doing in and beyond their community.
Vineyard Worship UK release a second single and title track ahead of their August EP, ‘Room At The Table’. The new song is full of warmth from the first note, with elements of mellow blues and soft rock. The balmy vocals of worship leader Olu Meduoye are adorned with a delicate reverb that adds to the overall inviting sound.
‘Room At The Table’ follows Jesus’ journey to the cross and meditates on the beauty of his body and blood given for us. It is a song of remembrance and invitation to take part in the endless life He offers. Written by Vineyard Worship artists Olu Meduoye, Jonny Riggs and Marc James, ‘Room At The Table’ is the musical expression of a central value in the Vineyard movement to “come as you are”.
The new single is a melody of God’s open arms towards us, inviting dusty feet and broken hearts to the table of the Lord. Marc James shares that the song journeyed from starting around the act of communion, “which in many parts of the global Church is seen as the highest point of worship,” he says, “to a broader invitation to join the great feast of the kingdom, bringing everybody in.” ‘Room At The Table’ is a relatable song, welcoming our human frailty to sit at the feet of Jesus. Vineyard Worship penned a new song full of character, trading a heavily produced sound for rawness and approachability.
…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.”
“Rapha,” the impassioned new single from acclaimed singer/songwriter and worship leader Stephen McWhirter and GRAMMY® and Stellar Award nominee Jason Clayborn, is now available from Lula Street Records (Integrity Music). Penned by the duo and produced by McWhirter, “Rapha” is an anthemic celebration of the name and nature of God the Healer.
“The heart behind the song is a desire to strengthen our own trust in God as Healer—not just physically, but also emotionally and relationally—in our churches, in this country and in the world,” shares McWhirter. “Having been radically healed from a drug addiction myself, I know God heals. However, my dad died of cancer and didn’t experience healing here on earth, so what do I do with that? We keep believing God, despite what we see with our own eyes. We keep worshipping Him through the trials, because either now or in eternity, He will keep His promise to be Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals.”
“We pray that when others hear ‘Rapha’ they are stirred deep inside with real Hope, and a knowing that God hasn’t changed,” Clayborn adds. “He is still the God who heals. He is still healing marriages, relationships and diseases. He is real!”
Drawing from a range of classic rock, Motown, pop and Gospel grooves, Stephen McWhirter and Jason Clayborn’s signature soul-drenched sound has been met with critical acclaim, carving a unique space in today’s worship landscape. The duo’s 2020 debut, Choir Sessions (feat. Jason Clayborn & The Atmosphere Changers), was followed by last year’s full-length sophomore set, Highest Praise. McWhirter and Clayborn also wrote and recorded the Christmas anthem “Born A King,” a single featured in 2020’s Christmas special for the blockbuster series The Chosen.
“Proverbs 27:17 says, ‘As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another,’ and that is exactly what God has done with us,” explains Clayborn of the duo’s mission. “We come from totally different church music backgrounds—me from the Gospel world and Stephen from the worship and contemporary Christian sphere. However, God has taught us both how to honor and encourage each other without changing the perspectives we bring to the table.”
Stephen McWhirter is a touring worship leader, producer, speaker and author whose powerful testimony of divine deliverance from addiction is the cornerstone of his ministry platform. A founding member of the former worship collective Iron Bell Music, he is also a songwriter with Essential Music Publishing/Sony PLG and a Lula Street (Integrity Music) recording artist.
Tyscot recording artist Jason Clayborn—a GRAMMY® and Stellar Award nominee; Dove and BMI Music Award winner; and former member of the renowned hip-hop/gospel group The Righteous Riders—has penned hit songs for such artists as Bishop Hezekiah Walker and VaShawn Mitchell, among others. Clayborn and his choir, The Atmosphere Changers, were showcased on GRAMMY® nominated rapper Jack Harlow’s 2020 single “Same Guy” (feat. Adam Levine). Clayborn was recently honored with a solo Stellar Award nomination, alongside three nominations for Jason Clayborn & The Atmosphere Changers.
TobyMac releases new music with “Everything About You” featuring Marlee. The official lyric video can be viewed below. The track is from TobyMac’s upcoming release due later this summer (Aug 19).
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.
