Keep ‘em rolling! You’ve read
Part 1 of our fall release preview, now check out the best of the rest.
As an artist who has made quite a mark on the Christian music industry over the past 10 years, things had been quiet for a rather lengthy time (until now) from Mr. Shaun Groves. Inspired by his recent, and extensive, work with Compassion International,
Third World Symphony promises to be a deep and compelling album. We just have to wait a few more weeks for the wraps to come off!
Daniel Bashta - The Sounds Of Daniel Bashta - September 6, 2011
Few artists have enjoyed the set up reserved for Georgia-based worship artist/songwriter Daniel Bashta. With Integrity Music's recent acquisition out of the way, the label is ready to the launch of their latest underground worship artist. We've already heard "Unlock My Roar" and "Like A Lion" (both available now on iTunes) and they've given us a taste of the raw, live sounds expected from Bashta. It's been said that Daniel's debut promises to "capture a movement of this generation, music that provokes you to worship, music that speaks life into dark places.." Count us in, ready to listen to these sounds!
It’s 2011 and I bet a lot of you are still singing “More Like Falling in Love” from Jason Gray’s 2009 release, Everything Sad is Coming Untrue. As an artist who has committed himself to becoming a force to be reckoned with, the fall release season is definitely a little more exciting with Jason Gray in the mix.
“I think one of the things I’m trying to say with this record is that all of our fear, regret, and shame is answered in God’s love for us, His heart towards us,” said Gray in an interview with CMSpin. In the world we live in, we can always use a record like that.
One of Christian music’s most relevant and well-liked worship bands is returning to the music scene this year with an album they say provides a “worship revival experience.” Since their 2006 debut album, we haven’t been able to get enough of them, and neither have some artists of big notoriety, including Nick Jonas and Michael W. Smith to name a couple. Let’s hope this awakening is as great as it proclaims to be.
He’s been literally inescapable this year. Not that we’re trying to get away from him, but between various shows and hearing his songs on the radio, Matt Maher has been everywhere. The ante of his presence continues with The Love In Between, a project described as “encouraging, hopeful, and authentic.” Not even Maher himself probably would have ever predicted his current success, and it just seems to keep marching on.
NEEDTOBREATHE – The Reckoning – September 20, 2011
What other Christian band can brag about being Taylor Swift’s opening act on her sold out tour this year? Only this band of South Carolinians has those rights. With the success of 2009’s
The Outsiders, it was all too likely that NEEDTOBREATHE would be gaining the traction they have, garnering nods of attention from the likes of
Entertainment Weekly and
MTV News within the past few months alone. With
The Reckoning’s first single, “Slumber,” standing well on its feet at press time, it’s only a guaranteed sign of the continued success that lies ahead.
“We’ve put our hearts and souls into this record, along with a lot of blood, sweat and tears, and we believe it’s the strongest collection of songs we’ve ever created,” said the band in a statement on their website. Bring on the good music!
Jamie Grace - One Song At A Time - September 20, 2011
When tobyMac speaks, we all listen, and listen we did to his latest artistic discovery, Jamie Grace. Her debut single, "Hold Me," shot to the top of the charts and became this summer's anthem. Not much is known about the upcoming full length debut, but an album cover was just revealed, and summer festival sets proved this 19-year old is full of vibrant life and ready to share her incredible vocals and songwriting. It's hard not to be more excited about a debut release than this.
“In the winter of 2011, Switchfoot began to record what would become their boldest record to date.” Such promises are found on Switchfoot’s website in an intro video to Vice Verses, and we believe them. It’s been a long time coming for this record. Hello Hurricane literally feels like it was released ages ago, and if there was any lack of punch with that project, it looks to be made up here. Behind the driving guitar and deep lyrics of first single “Dark Horses,” this album is going to get people talking. Prepare yourselves.
Rachael Lampa - All We Need - September 27, 2011
Dove Award winning artist Rachael Lampa is one of the most recognized Christian female artists of the past decade. And after 5 years, most of which left fans wondering if they'd ever hear from Rachael again, she's back with an album of depth and maturity and a fall tour with Group 1 Crew! This new album is a welcome return from one of Christian music’s finest vocalists and just may prove to be one of the most inspiring Christian Pop albums of 2011!
To this day, Deas Vail remains possibly one of the most underrated bands in Christian music. Their last full studio release, Birds & Cages, was certainly a refreshing project by most people’s standards, and it helped staple them as one of the leading bands in their genre of indie-sounding music. If lead single “Summer Forgets Me” from this self-titled project is an indication of what’s to come, then September 6th might need to get here a little faster.
So there you have it. This fall is shaping up to be one of the most exciting release seasons we’ve ever seen, and we hope that we’ve been able to fuel a little excitement in you as well. If we missed a release that you’re excited about, let us know in a comment below! We’d love to hear your thoughts.
