Lucy Grimble releases her new single, “First Love.” Inspired by a spontaneous refrain that came during a worship night at her local church in South West England, the new song was then recorded live in her home with friends from the area. In fact, the importance of local community and place is core to the creation of this song and the project it announces.
“First Love” is about the heart of the gospel being a love story and brings listeners on a journey of being awakened to God’s love and responding to it with devotion and adoration. Grimble felt drawn back to contemplate the simplicity of Love and how transforming it is.
“This song is my simple attempt to capture the two way love story between God and us and to dwell for a few moments in the beauty of that relationship,” Grimble explained. Written alongside local duo Fieldlily, the single captures a sense of rootedness with its stripped-back feel, layered vocals, and folk undertones.
“Musically, the vocals are really key as this was written as a three-part harmony piece, something that again reflects that sense of interdependence and interrelationship.” “First Love” is a gentle invitation to discover, rediscover, or remember the simplicity of the gospel message: that God is love and is wholly motivated by love for his people. Grimble created a soundscape for people to receive and reflect God’s love back to him and to the world around them.
In their acclaimed career spanning nearly three decades, veteran hard rockers Disciple have recorded 13 studio albums, earned 18 #1 singles, and sold hundreds of thousands of records. Their music has been featured on ESPN’s NFL Live, WWE, Fox Sports, as well as in commercials for CBS’ CSI: Miami and Criminal Minds.They’ve received multiple Dove Awards and played thousands of shows worldwide, including a 2023 stint in 40 arenas on the Winter Jam Tour.
This year saw the band’s first Grammy nomination, receiving a nomination for Best Contemporary/Christian Performance Song of the Year for the track “Firm Foundation (He Won’t).” A career first for Disciple, who has been a mainstay in the heavy Christian music genre, this distinction adds to a list of accolades and pays homage to the duality Disciple has always reconciled in their music: a high-adrenaline rock sound with a worshipful, gospel-first heart.
Now, hot off the heels of this historical accolade, Disciple is back with the upcoming single “Resurrecting Reasons,” and video filmed in Nashville and directed by Joel Burris. The song/video features acclaimed Christian rockers Decyfer Down and premiered on Jesus Freak Hideout, ahead of the deluxe version of their 2023 album Skeleton Psalms, releasing April 25th. The deluxe album includes several unreleased singles, acoustic renditions, and studio mixes.
According to the band, “‘Resurrecting Reasons’ is a song born out of the discovery of God’s faithfulness in our darkest and most undeserving times. The song musically hearkens back to a vintage Disciple sound, delivering a more organic offering to our fans. For the deluxe edition we have sought out the talents of one of our favorite singers and longtime friend, TJ Harris from Decyfer Down as a featured vocalist.”
Skeleton Psalms was created in-house: produced by guitarist Josiah Prince at his studio The Ranch, written by Kevin Young, Andrew Stanton (guitar) and Josiah Prince, with drums from Joey West and additional backing vocal support from touring bassist Marco Pera.
For additional support on instrumentation, Mark “Traa” Daniels (P.O.D.) played bass. The band called on mix engineer Nick Rad (Skillet), mastering engineer Sam Moses (Tenth Avenue North) and the drum recording skills of Lester Estelle (Pillar, Kelly Clarkson) to round out the creative team. The album has spawned three #1 singles (“Executioner,” “Promise to Live” and “Bad Words”) and was a 2023 Dove Award nominee.
The veteran Christian rock band was originally formed by high school friends in Maryville, Tennessee in 1992. Just a teenager at the time, founder and frontman Kevin Young was inspired to follow in the footsteps of bands who shaped his own belief — acts like Petra, Stryper and Whitecross, Christian bands who were scandalizing listeners of the time even as secular acts like Pantera, Skid Row and Def Leppard easily ruled the mainstream airwaves.
“The Christian music scene was completely different back then,” Young recalls. “Most of what was played on the radio seemed tame in comparison to the influences of my childhood, particularly punk and hard rock. I wanted to write and sing music that sounded like my culture but that also carried a message and reflected my values.”
The result was Disciple, a name chosen initially as a simple placeholder to represent the band’s core mission to be followers of Jesus Christ in all things. That commitment drove them through early independent records and across the South, playing concerts as a three-piece band. By 1997, their dedication had landed them their first record deal. By 2001, they were releasing their third album and navigating the harrowing challenges of road life as their following grew.
Looking back on the band’s history, Young reflects, “It’s the call and the cost of being a disciple of Jesus: sometimes you’re going to have a lot, and sometimes you’re going to have a little. That doesn’t matter; we’re on a mission. I feel like that has been our life as a band.”
Currently, the band is a collective of musicians who have held the ferocious hard rock sound steady for over 10 years: Young on vocals, Josiah Prince on guitar, Andrew Stanton on guitar and Joey West on drums. The growth of their tightly knit musical cohesion is evident on their most recent album, Skeleton Psalms. From scorching riffs to thunderous drum fills to alternately melodic and searing vocals, Disciple is a band intimately familiar with their own toolkit while unafraid to push their own limits.
Every one of the longstanding members shares a sense of urgent calling that allows them to weather the storms of a changeable music landscape. In Disciple’s eyes, their mission of evangelism and hope eclipse any accolades that the band could earn. But their chronic drivenness prompted by adherence to the Gospel has consistently turned heads — and impacted lives.
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In 2020, the band launched a second musical project as an outlet for their impulse to worship, a band titled Honor & Glory. That band would ultimately secure their first career Grammy nomination for “Firm Foundation (He Won’t).”
But beyond those quantifiable milestones, Disciple’s music has made its deepest mark through resonance with listeners struggling with anxiety, depression, addiction, suicidality and self-harm. Their songs’ message of unconditional love meeting each of us at our most broken has inspired countless stories of lives saved and changed. Most recently, that has been evident through “Promise to Live,” which topped Christian rock radio charts for a staggering 16 weeks in a row.
“We all are in this world together, and are all in recovery together, from the trauma of this world and this life,” Young offers earnestly. “We’re not fighting alone. We’re fighting together. We make this promise to God and to each other: to not give up fighting. To not lose hope. To live for the most precious gift we have, which is life.”
That promise continues to galvanize the band well past the three-decade mark. Even with such storied staying power to their name, Disciple’s Kevin Young is quick to clarify the call that still lies before them.
With over 200k Spotify listeners, 250k followers across platforms, and 44 million and counting lifetime YouTube views, Disciple continues to show their relevance and profound impact on the heavy metal world. Stay tuned as Disciple releases content throughout 2025 alongside upcoming tour dates.
Capitol CMG’s rising artist Stephen Stanley releases “hell or high water.” The track is from his upcoming project trustfall, due April 25. The corresponding ‘trust fall’ tour is set to launch on April 22 and run through June 6 featuring special guests Jake & Shelby.
Curb Records award-winning artist Big Daddy Weave announces their first new album in six years, Let It Begin.
Big Daddy Weave welcomes a season of personal healing on Let It Begin, their long-awaited follow-up to 2019’s When The Light Comes.
With songs that tell the story of a God who met them in the depths of their grief and carried them through the valleys of life, the fresh set boasts selections of unwavering hope, including chart-topping hits “Heaven Changes Everything,” “God Is In This Story (feat. Katy Nichole),” and the anthemic title cut. Their first album release since the passing of founding member Jay Weaver, Let It Begin also includes the emotional tribute, “Jaybird.”
Their arduous journey toward the full-length project continues today with the release of “I’ve Just Seen Too Much”. The poignant ballad crescendos into a testament of walking by faith and not by sight. A lesson in not allowing ourselves to be led by our emotions, “I’ve Just Seen Too Much” acknowledges a God who is always working things together for our good even when life doesn’t feel good. The powerful declaration was written by frontman Mike Weaver, Michael Farren, and Hank Bentley; and produced by the collective’s Jeremy Redmon.
Giving fans an in-depth look at the stories behind the songs that shape Let It Begin, the group has unveiled the video podcast series, “Cabin Conversations,” where Weaver sits down with co-writers and friends to discuss life lived and lessons learned through each song.
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Big Daddy Weave is sharing new music as well as fan favorites on their aptly titled “Let It Begin Tour” this spring. Chart-topping singer-songwriter Ben Fuller (“I Got Jesus”) and buzzworthy newcomer Megan Woods (“The Truth”) are also a part of the outing’s lineup. Summer dates have been added to the tour, with ten new shows taking place in June and July this year; see a full list of tour dates below.
Miel San Marcos introduces a new single with a Spanish adaptation of the well-loved song, “Digno De Adorar” (Worthy Of It All), featuring Waleska Morales. Originally written by David Brymer and Ryan Hall, this song has resonated deeply with believers worldwide for its simple yet profound declaration of Jesus’ incomparable worth.
For Miel San Marcos, it was more than just translating a song, but capturing the essence of the heart cry found in Revelation 4:11: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
Feeling a calling to bring this anthem to the Spanish-speaking church, Miel San Marcos hope congregations will connect with its timeless message of worship and surrender in their own language.
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As a band, their mission has always been to lead authentic, Spirit-filled worship. “Digno De Adorar” both fulfils this and serves as a declaration of gratitude for over two decades of ministry. With Waleska Morales singing on the recording and being part of their Latin America Tour, Miel San Marcos is representing the next generation of worshippers and echoing their heart for a generational call to unite in worship. They pray that “Digno De Adorar” will become a tool for intimate moments and large gatherings alike, leading people to a deeper encounter with Jesus.
Good Weather Forecast releases their new song “Now I See It” today via DREAM Records.
“Now I See It” is a catchy driving pop song with that has catchy melodies and stadium-sized choruses. The song was produced by Friedrich Steinke and written by Florian Stielper, Elijah Thomas Appel and Johann Friedrich Steinke
“This is one of the most personal songs ever written, says Flo Stielper, lead singer of Good Weather Forecast. “For every three years, my wife, Laura, has been battling a chronic illness that affects energy production in her cells. ‘Now I See It’ opens up about losing that control, questioning God’s goodness, and the unexpected discovery that beauty and God’s presence can still be found—even in life’s hardest moments.”
Multi-Platinum songwriter and worship leader Mack Brock releases his Beloved EP, which is now available at digital and streaming outlets. The EP features two newly recorded originals along with two acoustic performances of “Christ or Nothing” and “Bless the Lord” from his debut Centricity Music album, This Is Holy.
Produced by David Liotta (Elevation Worship, Jeremy Camp, Kari Jobe), Belovedincludes the never-before-released title track that Brock wrote with GRAMMY and Dove Award-winner Mitch Wong and GRAMMY-nominated, Dove Award-winning Hank Bentley. The EP also highlights “Christ Our King,” a newly recorded version of the track co-written with Brett Younker, Jacob Sooter and Rachel Hallbach and originally released by Passion.
Beloved – Mack Brock
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“The heart behind the project is a simple, intimate reminder that we are beloved children of God,” says Brock. “He adores us, He pulls us close. Receiving that unconditional love is HUGE. And our response to his love is worship.”
The Beloved EP follows Brock’s full-length studio album This Is Holy that features the hit radio single “Time and Time Again.” The album is a sacred collection of original anthems intended to remind listeners, and Brock’s own heart, that there’s an all-knowing God who is completely sovereign, trustworthy and deserving of all praise.
“Nothing Is Wasted” is the second song from my forthcoming album of acoustic versions of my greatest hits! This song was my first number one—spending nine weeks at the top of the Inspo chart in 2013. The radio version we recorded has the distinction of being the first time you would’ve heard the voice of Lauren Daigle on the radio! She was a new artist at Centricity Music and we’d become friends at an artist retreat. I believed in her and was so glad to have her on my song. I’m not surprised at all that she became the global star she is today.
To borrow author Annie Dillard’s language, God’s order is a “spendthrift economy, where nothing is lost and all is spent.” Paul said it another way to the Romans when he said, “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God…” I’ve seen in my own life how even the worst troubles I’ve gone through produced some of the greatest lasting good, if only that they made me more compassionate towards others in their own trouble.
Nothing Is Wasted (Acoustic) – Jason Gray
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“Everything happens for a reason” is a sentiment I’ve always wrestled with. It’s no comfort in the midst of tragedy and hard for me to reconcile against the heartbreaking realities of the world. War, human trafficking, cancer, betrayal–I can’t bring myself to believe that God wills the worst that happens to us. However, what I can believe, though, is that “nothing is wasted”–that no matter what happens, God can make something useful, sometimes even beautiful, out of it. Usually it’s you and me he’s making beautiful. We are the beauty he’s making from ashes.
Whereas the acoustic version of “Sparrows” had a lot of layers to it, it seemed to me the best way to present “Nothing Is Wasted” was as naked and vulnerable as possible. I wanted it to feel so tender and quiet that my singing would almost feel like a whisper. My son Kipper is one of my favorite piano players—I think his playing is so full of emotion!—and I’m moved by the heart he brought to this song.
Gray recently launched his “BETTER TOGETHER: The Live Recording Tour” last week. The tour that is currently set to traverse 10 states and counting will feature Gray sharing acoustic performances filled with intimate and soul-stirring moments that highlight his profound lyrical artistry and heartfelt melodies.
Stripped down to acoustic arrangements, his songs take on a raw and authentic quality, encouraging listeners to connect deeply with the themes of hope, redemption and grace that permeate his music. Gray’s storytelling prowess shines through as he shares the personal stories and inspirations behind his songs, creating a captivating and uplifting atmosphere that resonates with audiences long after the performances end.
Talented Nigerian gospel artist Kaestrings has officially released the live recording of his stirring new single “Tare.” The song, recorded during the Indoor Live Recording With Kaestrings event in June 2024, showcases Kaestrings’ unique blend of heartfelt worship and soul-stirring music, creating a truly immersive experience for listeners.
“Tare” – meaning “Not Alone” – is a deeply emotive worship song that emphasizes the comforting presence of God. It reflects the truth that, regardless of the challenges one may face, God is always by our side, never leaving or forsaking us. Through his powerful vocals and passionate delivery, Kaestrings invites listeners to experience the peace and assurance that comes from knowing we are never alone in our journey.
Written by Kaestrings (@Kaestrings), the live performance captures the authenticity and raw emotion of the worship experience. The track resonates deeply, with Kaestrings leading the congregation in a heartfelt moment of connection with God, creating a worshipful atmosphere that speaks to the spirit of every listener.
Kaestrings shared his thoughts on the release: “Tare is a message to anyone who feels alone or abandoned. It’s a reminder that we are never alone, and God’s presence is constant in our lives. This live recording event in June 2024 was an incredibly special moment, and I hope that this song brings peace, comfort, and a deeper sense of God’s presence to all who hear it.”
