NRT's Jake Frederick and Bradden Ford discuss the 7th Annual We Love Christian Music Award nominees for Pop Album and Pop Contemporary Album of the Year.
In our special 7TH ANNUAL WE LOVE CHRISTIAN MUSIC AWARDS editorial series, members of the NRT staff have a back-and-forth discussion about this year's nominees. In Part 1 of our series, we kick things off with a dialogue between NRT Contributors Jake Frederick and Bradden Ford about The Hook Award (Pop Album of the Year) and PopLITE Award (Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year.
Jake: So Bradden, we're talking about the Hook Award and the PopLITE award which celebrate the best Pop albums and Pop Contemporary albums of the year. So many great albums between these categories. What are your first impressions?
Bradden: Well Jake, it been an amazing year with so many awesome releases. I was very glad to see so many well-deserved artists on the list. With many well-known artists and new ones, it's going to be tough for many fans to pick a winner. What do you think?
Jake: I agree about the diversity of artists being represented between these two awards. There are veterans of the industry like Michael W. Smith along with newcomers like Austin French. The sound of the albums are so distinct, you can't compare any of the albums side-to-side.
Bradden: So true. Artists like GAWVI and VERIDIA have their own sound they add to the mix. Their blend of pop is really a treat to listen to. With these albums, and so many other great albums that didn't get nominated, it was a great year for Christian pop and I'm excited to see what fans will vote for.
Jake: Let's talk about The Hook Award (Pop Album of the Year). We've got for KING & COUNTRY, GAWVI, Jordan Feliz, Sarah Reeves, and VERIDIA. We're loading up on all-caps artists for this! All of these artists have only 2-3 studio albums, not counting singles, live albums or EPs. What does that say for this category?
Bradden: It really goes to show that many new artists are rising up with huge talent and a strong message of the Gospel. With so many new artists coming up, whether all-caps or not, it is awesome to see their growth and to be able to listen to such amazing music from them. Who do you think is going to take this one?
Jake: I can't make a prediction on this one. My daughter is pressuring me to vote for her favorite band, for KING & COUNTRY. After getting the chance to meet Luke and hear him tell stories about this album and the Priceless movement, it's hard to not pull for them. However, I listened to these five albums over the last couple of days and I'm going to have to secretly throw some votes towards the other albums. I think Sarah Reeves came out strong with Easy Never Needed You. GAWVI's Panorama also pushed the envelope. I think it has a chance to turn some heads.
Bradden: for KING & COUNTRY have made a huge impact on listeners of all ages. Burn The Ships was one of the best albums of the year with an encouraging message and amazing sound. I can easily see them winning this. Personally, Sarah Reeves's new album, Easy Never Needed You, is my vote and my favorite album of the year. Sarah really stepped it up from her previous work and gave a perfect blend of pop beats and worshipful lyrics. It would be awesome to see her win this. No doubt GAWVI outdid himself once again with his hip-hop/pop fusion album. He raised the bar with his amazing talent as a producer and artist.
We can't forget about the other two albums. Jordan Feliz's awesome album Future could just win this with his standout sound, lyrics, and message. VERIDIA's new album is also very unique and a surprising head turner.
Jake: No doubt. Jordan Feliz and VERIDIA's albums are amazing as well. Such a tough category.
For the PopLITE Award (Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year), we have Michael W. Smith, Francesca Battistelli, Hawk Nelson, Lauren Daigle, and Austin French. The artists' debut dates range from 1983 to 2018 and each of the more veteran artistshave changed their sound a bit over the years. What do you see from this award?
Bradden: The PopLITE award is packed with great artists. As you said, it's a big-time range since some of these artists first debuted their music but all of them are putting out great albums. However, it wouldn't be surprising to see Lauren Daigle take this. Her album Look Up Child is a massive hit. Her soulful, smoky voice and unique worship style were beautifully put together for this album.
Jake: I'm leaning towards the newcomer in this one, Austin French. His debut album came out sounding like a veteran's album. I got to watch him perform with Mandisa this past summer, and there was no "new artist/veteran artist" feel to that performance. It's fun to watch someone come out that strong.
Bradden: Austin French is an amazing artist, as you said, with an amazing album. It would be really neat to see him win this. He still is new in the industry, though, so many fans haven't yet heard his full potential yet. Personally, Hawk Nelson's Miracles is my vote. "Miracles" was the first song my little sister sung and danced to, which makes the album more special to me.
Speaking about impact, Francesca Battistelli continues to inspire young girls and many fans with her new album Own It. Her new album is filled with the message of identity, boldness, love, and of course the light of Jesus.
Jake: Francesca's song "Defender" is incredible. The emotion and worship she pours into her songs is incredible.
Hawk Nelson is a long time favorite of my wife and me, all the way back to Letters to the President. So many memories from when we were dating. Each one of their albums speaks to her, and Miracles is no different. This is definitely her pick.
Last word for the Pop album awards?
Bradden: Both of these categories are filled with amazing releases and artists who choose to lift the name and message of Jesus through music. I'm really excited to see who fans vote for and hopefully, they'll discover new music through the We Love Awards.
NOTE: Voting is now open through Friday, January 25, 2019 at WeLoveAwards.com. Winners will be announced during our Facebook Live broadcast from Visible Music College's Memphis campus on Tuesday, February 26, 2019.
Jake is a longtime fan of Christian music, Jesus Freak Cruiser, a techie, and a softball player. He lives in Texas with his wife and daughter.
Bradden is a Christian music lover, a pastor's son, and a teen on fire for Jesus with a hunger for every heart to awake in the presence of God anew.
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