The siblings in pop trio City of Bright have been creating music together from a young age, which makes the family dynamic in the group all the more special today. Officially beginning their band in 2012 under the name "The Salah & Shekinah Band," City of Bright has opened for artists like Sidewalk Prophets and Jeremy Camp, among other career highlights. The group's latest musical offering, Fearless, is their second studio project and the first new music from City of Bright in nearly three years.
What it Sounds Like:
The majority of Fearless' five tracks are comprised of synth pop vibes and fun melodies. Creative beats and EDM fragments mesh with Salah and Shekinah's soaring vocals to complete their sound. Sure to keep listeners both entertained and encouraged, these songs combine the perfect amounts of energy and real-life inspiration.
Spiritual Highlights:
Wrapped inside the fun pop melodies are reverent prayers, heard in tracks like the longing "Hope Tonight" and worshipful "You." Each song carries a message backed by Scripture, pointing to the hope we have in Christ.
Best Song on the Record:
Title track "Fearless" shines as a highlight on the EP, giving listeners an anthem of bravery and boldness to proclaim.
If you're looking for uplifting pop tunes to brighten your day, look no further. City of Bright has crafted a fun five song EP with Fearless, sure to leave fans encouraged and ready for what's to come from the band in the future.
Captivating Harmonies, Intimate Worship | Posted March-15-2018
In August of last year, Kristian Gautier and Meredith O'Harra combined their passion for worship and formed The Lowly Heirs. Singer/songwriters who strive to share hope with their audience, the two began to write songs reflective of their own spiritual experiences. Only a few months later, they independently released their debut self-titled EP, the first major recorded project for both Kristian and Meredith.
What it Sounds Like:
The Lowly Heirs carries a unique, captivating sound from its first notes. A blend of organic singer/songwriter vibes and meaningful worship encounters, the sonic landscape of this EP is one that keeps drawing your attention with each new melody. Still, what will stand out most to listeners are the near-flawless harmonies encapsulated in these six songs.
Spiritual Highlights:
Being a worship album, you expect every song to be a vertical offering of praise, but there's something special about these tracks. They aren't your average stadium-shaking worship anthems, but instead bring more of an intimate, atmosphere-shifting type praise. Every lyric brings glory to God, giving everyone something they can connect to.
Best Song on the Record:
"Love Has Won" is a must-hear for its harmonies alone, but beyond that, the song offers a genuine-in-spirit moment of worship with its dynamic melodies and powerful declarations of faith.
With a well-produced yet refreshingly raw kind of tone, The Lowly Heirs have composed a unique sound here that I wish we heard more of in the worship genre today. One of the strongest debuts from a duo that I've heard in a while, these are creative pieces you'll find yourself keeping on repeat for months to come.
A Must-Hear Worship Experience | Posted March-05-2018
A ministry of Calvary Chapel Tri-Cities, EQ Worship is bridging the gap between denomination divides and age differences to provide an authentic worship experience for all. Now being shared with the world, their debut EP Push Out The Dark came to life through the group's desire to see God bring light to their own city and community.
What it Sounds Like:
EQ Worship has described their sound as "Lumineers meets Housefires," and that proves to be a spot-on comparison for this EP. From the opening moments, listeners are greeted with a truly refreshing worship sound that few other groups have ever pulled off this well. Combine that intriguing sound with gorgeous harmonies and inviting gang vocals, and you've got an EP that is well worth the listen.
Spiritual Highlights:
Push Out the Dark as a whole feels like an intimate worship experience. Whether the moment is energetic or more reverent, each song brings praise to Christ and speaks of His promises. Pulling in old hymns "Be Thou My Vision," "There Is A Fountain" and "Oh, For A Thousand Tongues" brings a unified feel to the worship atmosphere set by these recordings, meshing the new with the old and giving everyone something they can connect to.
Best Song on the Record:
If you want a song heavily-influenced by the folk elements, EQ Worship's take on "Be Thou My Vision" is highly enjoyable. For a more subdued moment of worship, acoustic "Take Me to The Rock" is a powerful yet reverent offering of surrender and trust.
In a must-hear debut, Push Out The Dark brings together the lively elements of folk music with the passion and reverence of genuine worship for a unique musical experience.
Vertical R&B | Posted March-05-2018
For Brittany "Bee" Ardoin, roots in Gospel, R&B, classical and blues music have all been part of life from a young age. With a stage presence and powerhouse vocal talent that has stunned crowds from her earliest days in her family's band to her position now as a solo artist, the singer/songwriter has been featured at events like the Stellar Awards and The Celebration of Gospel, taught musical theatre at The Imagination Campus and Houston's Theatre Under the Stars, and shared stages with Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams. Now with her debut EP, The Truth About Walking, Bee blends her love for Gospel and R&B with encouraging lyrics.
What it Sounds Like:
While the project is largely R&B and Gospel-tinted, bits of a pop undertone surprisingly find its way into the mix as well. Each song's intro feels refreshingly unique, setting the tone for every individual moment with well-produced creativity. Carried by Bee's soulful voice, these songs stay reflective and thought-provoking, but will still have you moving along with their fun beats.
Spiritual Highlights:
This isn't predominately a worship record, but the whole of the EP still feels very vertical in its lyricism and pursuit of truth. Many of the songs pose questions of faith and struggle, each one pointing listeners upwards toward hope and trust in Christ.
Best Song on the Record:
Sonically, "Better" is a highlight on this EP with its strong R&B vibes, proving to be an energetic listen while still providing a message that sinks deep into hearts.
Bee Ardoin has crafted an impressive debut with The Truth About Walking, mixing the R&B/gospel style with vertically-centered messages and a voice worthy of paying attention to.
Worship With a Genuine Heart | Posted February-26-2018
As a collective of songwriters, musicians, worship leaders and creatives from the First Free Church in Wisconsin, the First Free Music team is passionate about helping listeners find freedom in Christ through worship. With their brand new debut album Awake // Alive, the group desires to continue leading those who sing along with them into a genuine encounter with the Lord.
What it Sounds Like:
In the sonic landscape, this is what you'd expect from a church worship album, but that doesn't mean it's not worth your attention. While there isn't too much style diversity found here, the First Free Music team executes each song with excellence, blending a few pop undertones with worshipful melodies that will give the Church powerful new songs to lift up.
Spiritual Highlights:
The songwriting on this album pulls straight from Scripture, making every song a spiritual journey of God's word meshing with anthemic declarations of our faith. Carried by heartfelt voices, line after line act as vertical reminders of His promises to us as First Free Music invites anyone listening to join in with praise.
Best Song on the Record:
"Forever You Are God" is a standout track on Awake // Alive with its authentic spirit and bold passion. "Forever You are God / forever You will reign / forever we will sing 'holy is the Lord,'" the chorus proclaims. Get it here.
For Fans Of:
Elevation Worship, Planetshakers, Jesus Culture
Final Word:
With just one listen of this album, you can easily hear that the heart of First Free Music is simply to lead people to the Father. Every moment feels genuine in spirit and marks a strong start for the Wisconsin team as they begin to share their songs with the world.
A Power Couple Creating Powerful Worship | Posted February-06-2018
After meeting in college and beginning to sing together on the school's worship team, Brad & Rebekah found themselves falling in love. In 2006, the couple got married and soon began touring together. Somewhere in the mix of music and ministry, Brad & Rebekah welcomed their first child, a son named Ayden, in 2012, with little sister Addilyn joining the family in 2016.
Now on their seventh studio release, Sound of Heaven, Brad & Rebekah have shown that even the challenges of raising a growing family won't keep them from making music that glorifies the King and unifies the church. "These songs are a declaration of the desire to walk in the identity of Christ and be the audible and visible Sound of Heaven," the duo says of the new album.
The energetic title track "Sound of Heaven" kicks things off with a bit of an EDM vibe, pulling in the listener's attention and capturing a spirit of praise. Led well by Rebekah's strong and passionate vocal, lead single "I Am Found" proves to be a highlight on the record. Boldly declaring the truths of Scripture in sing-able fashion, "No Greater Name," "Never Alone" and "Forevermore" speak to the faithfulness and sovereignty of our God.
"Our name's now written in Your scars, reminding us of who we are," "The Story" sings out, using beautiful imagery to take their songwriting to the next level. Another display of their skilled writing, "A Thousand Wedding Bells" talks of the relationship between Christ and His Bride. Moving "You Are Here" and peppy "Sing" close out the album with a bit of variety.
The Bottom Line: There is no doubt Brad & Rebekah are a power couple creating powerful worship for the church. Through their blended hearts and harmonies, the duo makes a great musical team. Sound of Heaven is a successful display of that accomplishment, letting fans know that they are as dedicated as ever to their craft and equipping churches.
Raw Vocals, Powerful Worship | Posted February-02-2018
Mississippi native Kaden Slay grew up a pastor's kid and found a passion for leading worship in his church at the young age of thirteen. His interest in music only grew from there, guiding Kaden to where he is now: a missionary at the headquarters of People & Songs and the Emerging Sound in Indiana, where he also serves as a teacher, staff writer, People & Songs artist and worship leader. Motivated by a desire to bring the church closer to the Father through music, Kaden now presents his debut album The Mercy Of Jesus.
"Together At The Cross" opens with a very simplistic acoustic approach to worship. The acoustic setting continues into "One Thing I've Learned," a lyrically vulnerable story telling song. Kaden's soulful voice tugs at the emotion of listeners on this track, making it an instant highlight with its raw and genuine feel. The title track offers more of the same: subdued melodies that sweep you away, wrapped inside Slay's captivating vocal.
Piano-led "He Is Right Here (He's Big Enough)" speaks encouragement to broken and weary souls, while "The One That Really Matters" sings praise to Kaden's audience of One. The second half of this album is laden with guest appearances, featuring the likes of Bryan McCleery on powerful "This Is The Kingdom Now," Phil King on song of surrender "I Stand Before Almighty God Alone," Crystal Yates on soaring "Gave Up The Ghost," Jennie Lee Riddle on hopeful "This Covenant" and Melanie Tierce on "There Is A Lamb."
The Bottom Line: The Mercy Of Jesus captivated me with how authentic it felt from beginning to end, bringing in vivid lyricism to paint the picture of Christ's goodness while keeping it musically simple with stunning acoustics throughout. Kaden Slay is a new name right now, but I suspect that will soon change if he continues crafting worship music like this for the Church.
For Fans Of: Corey Voss, Corey Asbury, Shane & Shane
A Hopeful Pop Debut | Posted January-26-2018
For Centricity Music newcomers For All Seasons, the goal has never been a radio hit or a worship anthem for the church-instead, they simply want to craft music that meets their listeners wherever they are and gives them hope. The band, comprised of lead vocalist Emily Hamilton, Emily's husband Johnny, Jeff Luckey and Randy Charlson, met in college and served as worship leaders at camps for several years before expanding into touring and recording their own songs.
Now a decade into their career with a full-length album and several EPs behind them, For All Seasons is marking a new chapter with their Centricity signing. Debut singles "Higher" and "Bigger Than" hit the market last year and made waves with fans, giving the group a strong introduction. Now ready to follow it up with their debut album, For All Seasons presents Clarity.
The standout track on Clarity comes early on with opening "Higher." Flawlessly displaying Emily's powerful yet tender vocals, the high-energy moment is sure to get listeners engaged and give them a good taste of what For All Season's signature sound seems to be. Following in that same vein, upbeat "Bigger Than" is a reassuring message of Christ's sovereignty that brings the group's skilled songwriting into play: "You are the God who always sees us, even in bare and desperate seasons / no matter what the circumstance, You are the rock on which I stand."
Staying with the theme of lively worship tunes, "No Other" praises God for who He is, much like reverent "Eternal King." The powerful title track makes bold lyrical proclamations of faith, coupled with quality production to create a power-packed moment that proves to be another highlight on the album. Giving a bit of diversity, a few slower tracks close out the album: contemplative "Common Love" and expectantly hopeful "Fight Anymore."
While this may be For All Seasons' record label debut, they are far from inexperienced in the art of making music that feels authentic and hopeful. The past decade of work they've committed to their career shines through on Clarity, both in the fun pop production and the way they seamlessly weave worshipful lyrics with high-energy melodies.
The Bottom Line: Just one listen to Clarity will tell you there's something special about For All Seasons, and personally I can't wait to see what comes next from them.
For Fans Of: Lauren Daigle, Hillsong Young & Free, Mosaic MSC
Quality Worship From the Heart | Posted January-24-2018
As the Worship and Creative Arts Pastor at Gateway Church in Shelbyville, Tennessee, Corey Voss fills several roles-songwriter and worship leader at the top of that list. Though Corey's may not be a familiar name to you yet, you probably already know his work, as he has writing credits with successful worship artists like Paul Baloche and Jaci Velasquez and helped pen Selah's latest hit "I Got Saved." After signing with Integrity Music in mid-2017, the multi-faced artist released his debut EP Songs of Heaven & Earth Vol. 1. Now following up with his live full-length album of the same name, Corey offers a powerful new batch of songs for the church.
Foot-tapping "The King Is Here" opens with all the energy and passion you would want to begin a worship service, setting the tone for the rest of the album. "Lift Oh Gates" follows suit, digging deeper into the power of Christ with its lyrics while staying pleasantly upbeat. Previously released on Corey's independent records, "Praise The King" brings an atmosphere of worship and resolve: "Praise the King / death's defeated, hallelujah, He's alive."
Putting his own vocal work on songs he had a hand in bringing to life for other artists, Corey's reverent versions of Jaci Velasquez's "God Who Moves The Mountains" and Selah's "I Got Saved" find a home here. Co-written by fellow Integrity artist Alisa Turner and also appearing on her album, "As It Is In Heaven" serves as a bold prayer.
Diving back into the more lively side of things, vibrant "Nothing Is Impossible" proves to be a highlight on the album with its resilient message of faith. An intimate longing for more of Christ, "Canyons" and "Don't Ever Let Me Go" both fill spots as impactful worship moments before closing with equally strong "You Promised."
While it may be too early in the year to begin making "best of" statements, I feel confident in saying that Songs of Heaven & Earth will be a leading contender for worship album of the year. Every moment from beginning to end feels beautifully heartfelt, inviting the presence of God through well-written lyrics and melodies that stick in your heart from first listen. For a debut release, it's impressive that Corey is already crafting worship anthems that stand up with the greats in both quality and authenticity.
The Bottom Line: With every piece flowing perfectly into a well-rounded effort, Corey Voss's Songs of Heaven & Earth is one worship album that I won't soon forget.
For Fans Of: Alisa Turner, Elevation Worship, Iron Bell Music
Finding Her Voice | Posted January-18-2018
After five years of touring and making music with pop band 1GN (formerly 1 Girl Nation), vocalist Carmen Justice stepped out into a solo career towards the end of 2016.
Any artist who steps from a group background into a solo venture will likely tell you that finding your own sound is a tricky equation. While the transitional period proved to be a frustrating time that harbored the temptation to give up on her music career all together, Carmen eventually settled into a sound all her own-a sound that she's now ready to share with the world on her debut EP, Against The Odds.
The EP opens with the blazing title track, giving fans their first taste of Carmen's new edgy pop vibe that complements her powerhouse voice. "I wrote 'Against the Odds' from a place where I felt so defeated by life and the music industry that I wanted to just give up on my music career altogether, but felt led to keep going. I wanted to write an anthem that would inspire anyone going through a difficult season to keep pushing through the frustration, confusion and doubt," Carmen says of the pillar song.
EDM-flavored "Ambassador in Chains" featuring Steven Malcolm and "These Four Walls" are both fun listens that show off Carmen's vocal versatility. Finding its roots in a bit more traditional pop sound, "Vow To You" carries a melody that will easily get stuck in your head.
Previously released singles "Flaming Arrows" and "Red & Yellow, Black & White (feat. GabeReal)" feel perfectly at home here with their unique sonic landscapes, leaving subdued "The Other Side" to close out the album.
The Bottom Line: Right out of the gate, Carmen Justice seems to have found a sound that suits her well. The EDM flavored alt-pop feels perfectly paired with her strong vocal abilities and matches her bold lyrics of determination and acceptance, leaving fans excited to see what comes next as she continues to find her voice.
CaitlinLassiter_NRT's Music and Book Reviews 
