For as long as I can remember, the summer months have been a wasteland for major new releases in Christian music. Rarely do we find established artists releasing music in the middle of the year, opting instead to wait until fall where touring season kicks off after personal vacations and festivals have subsided.

It's a new world in music and fans reap the benefits, as labels and artists are finally realizing that we all consume music 12 months out of the year! I, for one, couldn't be more excited to see the release schedule packed with lots of new albums, anchored by some of the most anticipated records of the year.

Here are eight albums that are making headlines, but it's just the tip of the iceberg that's getting ready to sink your summer floaties. For a full list of releases diving into the pool in the coming months, click here.

Jason Gray - Where the Light Gets In - June 17, 2016

Jason Gray has navigated a pretty hard couple years in front of his fans. His stepfather battled cancer while his parents almost lost their home to out-of-control medical bills. On top of that, Jason went through a breakup of his marriage and has had to navigate the responsibilities of becoming a single dad while managing an active tour schedule. 

Those challenges have found their way into what some are calling one of the most deeply honest (and, at times, painfully so) albums in recent memory. 

"The subversive irony of the gospel is that if you've gone through depression or divorce or loss or failure or a sickness, you are uniquely equipped to be able to bring mercy to other people going through those same things," explains Gray. "It removes judgment from your life. It removes self-righteousness or misguided opinions. That's what Where the Light Gets In is about. Don't be anxious about the worst thing that happens to you. The message of the resurrection gives hope that even the worst will produce something beautiful in us, and will ultimately help make us who we most want to be."
 
Thousand Foot Krutch - Exhale - June 17, 2016

There's no doubt about it. Rock has returned with a force in 2016! As we examined a few months back, Thousand Foot Krutch is the latest band bringing the genre back to the forefront with their upcoming, hard-hitting collection, Exhale.

TFK frontman explains of the album, "I had gotten the idea a few years back of having an album called Inhale showcasing the lighter, quieter side of the band that's always been a part of our albums, allowing us the freedom to dig deeper into that than we have before. And then to have an album called Exhale that drops the gloves and dives even deeper into the aggressive side of the band. We didn't get soft on the last one! I promise! It was always meant to be a two-part story."

The band has already released four singles from the project on iTunes, and multiple lyric videos and official music videos silence any doubts that the harder side of TFK is back in full force. 
 
Switchfoot - Where the Light Shines Through - July 8, 2016

Unless you've been living inside a hermit crab's shell on the San Diego shore, you know that Switchfoot has been gearing up to their 10th studio album's release date for months now. Fans haven't been able to get enough of the multitude of posts coming from the band's socials that document the writing and recording process and share the various inspirations that have crafted this next collection of songs--alongside lead singer Jon Foreman's beautifully poetic descriptions.

The band has released two singles from the upcoming record: the radio single, "Live It Well" and a more stripped down sound on "Float."

"Ironically, this album of light was born from one of the darkest times I've ever been through," shares Jon. "But instead of running away from the darkness, I wanted to meet it face to face. The dark wounds of our world are inescapable- the wound is you, it's me, it's humanity. The wound is Afghanistan, it's Palestine, it's the United States. The wound is our broken homes, our broken marriages, our broken hearts. The wound is Golgotha, the wound is the cross. But rather than running away, let's embrace the truth about our broken humanity, and the truth will set us free! Let's not pretend to be well- after all, it's the sick that need a doctor. No, we are the wounded. Mortally wounded. Darkly wounded.  Do we really believe in a Living God who is our redeemer, strong and loving--capable of healing these wounds? If so, then let's bring our darkness to him. All of it. Life is short I want to live it well."
 
NEEDTOBREATHE - H A R D L O V E - July 15, 2016

NEEDTOBREATHE is coming off their most successful album to date with 2004's Rivers in the Wasteland, topping Billboard's Christian Albums chart and producing the single "Multiplied," which earned the band their first ever GRAMMY Award nomination.

Their sixth studio album in 10 years is 12 tracks that will continue to cement the band in their folk-rock roots as they sing about life, love, faith and the places they all collide. 

Fans eager to pick up new music can get three songs digitally. "Money & Fame," "No Excuses" and the first radio single from the new project, "Happiness." Lead singer, Bear Rinehart talked about that single, saying, "The song 'Happiness' is really about the sacrifices we have to make in order to change. I think that everyone who has had to make a major decision in their life knows that change is only worth it when you make the change for the right reason. Happiness after all is clearly a fleeting thing, but purpose is what brings real joy. I believe that there's no better place in the world than the middle of the will of God for your life."
 
Relient K - Air For Free - July 22, 2016

Air For Free is the first release from Relient K since 2013's Collapsible Lung. The album showcases a sound that has continued to mature since Relient K's punk rock origins. The band has been playing three new songs, "Marigold," "Look On Up" and "Mrs. Hippopotamus'," on their winter tour. 

The band has chosen to go the unique route of a vinyl and digital only release, although in facebook comments they assured fans that eventually there will be CDs available as well.
 
Leeland - Invisible - July 22, 2016

Bethel Music continues to expand beyond their annual worship collective with the signing of Leeland who first came on the scene 10 years ago and has largely been silent since 2011's The Great Awakening. 

Now a duo, listeners are going to be pleasantly surprised with the jovial, pop-leaning production style and worshipful lyrics that will appeal to the Bethel worship crowd. 

"We're excited to see what God has in store and are expecting great things for the future," says frontman Leeland Mooring. "We have poured our heart and soul into this project, and pray it will be something that truly blesses, and inspires everyone who hears it to draw closer to Jesus!"

As the listener journeys through one colorful and rich interpretation after another, each song builds toward how possible and beautiful a deep relationship with God can be. "God's been teaching us that our identity isn't in music," continues Mooring. "We're all children of God. It's not in the giftings God has given us, but our identity is in the giver. Music can have an impact on our identity. It affirms everything that God has spoken to us and it keeps pushing us further along on the journey."
 
Group 1 Crew - Power - July 29, 2016

Manwell Reyes continues to defy odds, anchored by an amazing ability to continue to craft catchy pop-perfection and minister non-stop wherever God calls him, no matter the circumstances. From Blanca leaving years ago, to rebuilding his band, to vocal cord challenges that threatened his entire singing career for months in late 2015, to behind-the-scenes changes in management and label ownership, the dude is still standing and pumping out the best music of his career.

"The most important thing I've learned in these crazy seasons of change," Manwell recently told NRT, "was to stop caring about what I did and start appreciating who I was. I lost sight of that along the way. I genuinely thought I was defined by my music. Now there's a freedom that's expressed in this new album that shows how the power of God can work in a man's life. These songs are a celebration of that very real revelation."

The 16-track album features guest performances by Lauryn Taylor Back of 1GN, Jor'dan Armstrong, Chris Cleveland, My Kid Brother, mr. Ree and his wife, comedian Anjelah Johnson.