The newest indie-style worship style release, All is Not Lost by The Brilliance, is a collection of songs from a music ministry whose self-proclaimed purpose is to "write songs for both the church and those feeling spiritually homeless." The New York-based duo is comprised of David Gungor and John Arndt. This album immediately reminded me of my favorite emotional indie worship artists like Gungor, All Sons & Daughters and Citizens & Saints, who have released my favorite "gourmet" worship songs and albums the past few years.

Over the years, the indie-style worship artists have become my favorite brand of music, as their lyrics are often strong messages for the Church and their music is creative, leading me to affectionately stamp them as "gourmet."  I also contribute as a panelist to Under the Radar's Top Gourmet Albums and Top Gourmet Songs lists and podcast song selections.

Thinking about the influence of indie-style "gourmet" worship songs, I thought of these seven songs which have been sung by churches worldwide, influencing and providing important messages for the Church. Enjoy these videos of seven songs from this past year that in my opinion have shaped modern worship. All of these songs lead me to the Throne Room of Grace and are a blessing to the Church.

1. "See the Love" by The Brilliance 
I have been listening to "See The Love" daily as a prayer and balm for my soul in this uncertain time we live in. "I want to see, I want to see the love all around you, I want to know that love is all around you" is the refrain of the beautiful and prayerful song, which is in essence the thesis statement of this Christ-centered album. The poignant lyrics begin with "every day we go to war again, we assume we know so much more than them, before we hear what they have to say." The song is so spot-on with its observations of how we live and hurt others with our lack of love. My prayer for this song and album is that all of us can make these the words we live by. Like David and John, "I want to know that love is all around you, see how it lights you up."

2. "I Surrender" by All Sons & Daughters
The song challenges me to think about what I'm allowing to rule in my heart instead of giving myself completely to God. This song is all about trusting in God and confessing to Him and others when you fail or have struggles, praying "here I empty myself, to owe this world nothing and find everything in You." Lay your doubts and struggles at the feet of Jesus, and He'll take them from you and release you from those burdens. My hope for this song is for people to pray along and live out these words. Our weaknesses are nothing to hide. In fact, because of our weaknesses God's grace and strength are perfectly revealed. I sing this song at the top of my lungs and proclaim to God: "Not my will but Yours be done, not my strength but Yours alone, nothing else but You alone, I find everything in You."

3. "Have it All" by Bethel Music
This song totally moves me in my personal worship time. "Have it All" is an ethereal vertical worship ballad in the style of "We Will Not Be Shaken," sung with a stirring passion and filled with prayerful declarations. This is an incredible song for the Church. The theme of this song should be the heartbeat of every faithful Christian. I hear in Brian's vocals a sincere yearning for God and thankfulness in his heart for God's mercy and grace. I'm completely convicted by the strong lyrics and find immense comfort in this song. Commit your heart to Jesus as your first love. Make it your heart's cry to join in and sing along, "You can have it all Lord, every part of my world, take this life and breathe on this heart that is now Yours." 

4. "How Majestic" by Citizens & Saints 
Citizens & Saints hooked me with their unique brand of gourmet alternative rock-infused worship on their stirring debut Citizens, which released while they were part of Mars Hill Music in Seattle. That project, the song "Made Alive" and the band name are all based on Ephesians 2.  For me, their follow-up album A Mirror Dimly was the top worship album of 2016. We were all created to worship, and this album gives us several creative and biblically-based expressions. As sung in "How Majestic," we can conclude together in Christ "all is well, mercies are new this day, oh Lord our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth."

5. "Even Unto Death" by Audrey Assad 
I am very moved by "Even Unto Death," which features Matt Maher. Audrey's tender, emotive and powerful vocals take listeners on an emotional journey that gives me goose bumps every time I hear this song, filled with truth. The song is a tribute to Christian martyrdom. The lyrics are very stirring: "Lover of my soul, even unto death, with my every breath, I will love You." The song is poignant and powerful with earnest, worshipful lyrics, reflecting the boldness for Jesus that I pray for my daughters to feel in their hearts as well. Join in with Audrey and proclaim, "though I lose my life, though my breath be taken, I will wait for You... You are my glory!"

6. "Resurrecting" by Elevation Worship 
I had the chance to worship with this song at last year's Outcry Tour, and it was an incredible moment of lifting up a vertical offering to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus. Your heart will be stirred by the worshipful bridge: "By Your Spirit I will rise from the ashes of defeat, the resurrected King is resurrecting me. In Your name I come alive to declare Your victory, the resurrected King is resurrecting me."

7. "Stars" by Fellowship Creative 
Many of the songs on Eclipse are arranged in a very sing-able and catchy style. Fellowship Creative's passion is to make creative music that inspires worship of Jesus Christ, and to point listeners to Him. The theme of emptying ourselves in order to be filled by the Holy Spirit and celebrating God's great grace is found in "The Moment," "Grace on top of Grace" and "Eclipsed." I greatly enjoy the musical vibe of this album, and the melodies and lyrics are all catchy and rooted in Scripture. The creative use of biblical language is a highlight, and there are no ambiguous lyrics, which is refreshing and wonderful for the Church to boldly proclaim praises to Jesus such as in this song: "Spirit come and speak, I am listening right now, waiting here for You, want to see You move right now."