Every summer, I compile a list of quality Christian artists who I think should be on your radar (and playlists) if they aren’t already. (See my lists from 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.) I try to pick artists who are both musically interesting and unambiguously Christian, in authentic yet noncheesy ways.
In making these lists, I focus on artists in a diverse array of genres who are newer and under the radar and who have released new music in the last year. I also look for artists making music in different nations around the world.
While the broader music industry might be stagnating, Christian music is on the rise. So far this year, the Christian/gospel genre sits fourth among the fastest-growing music genres, having grown 8.9 percent in overall consumption. Much of this growth is being fueled by young (millennial and younger) audiences, which have grown to be 45 percent of the genre’s audience—up from 39 percent in 2022. Several of the emerging artists featured below are contributing to this.
Contrary to some stereotypes of Christian music, the genre (especially if you look beyond Christian radio) is full of musical creativity and fresh artistry. The 15 artists I’ve highlighted below (listed alphabetically) are cases in point.
Check out their music through the playlist sampler I created on Spotify and Apple Music.
If you like what you hear, support these artists by following them on social media, streaming their music, and attending their concerts.
Luke Bower
Texas native Luke Bower caught my attention this year with his homesick-for-heaven ballad “Not My Home.” Listening to his full debut EP, Man on Fire, made it clear why he developed such a following on TikTok and Instagram. This is authentic, faith-driven, country-tinged folk music at its best.
Songs to sample: “Not My Home,” “Haunted,” “Man on Fire,” “Halfway to Your Heart”
Jimmy Clifton
I’ve been following North Carolina singer-songwriter Jimmy Clifton for a few years now. The passionate young artist has a unique Appalachian sound (with some Bon Iver influences) and pours himself fully into every song. His songs often explore themes of freedom in Christ and overcoming struggles with pornography addiction.
Songs to sample: “Hypocrite,” “More,” “Come on Love,” “Moses”
Aaron Cole
Though he’s only 25, Aaron Cole has already built an impressive career. With the support of TobyMac and Gotee Records, Cole has become one of the brightest young talents in Christian hip-hop. And it feels like he’s only just getting started. Check out his just-released new album, Sorry, I Changed.
Songs to sample: “One More Day,” “Proof,” “Right on Time,” “Like You”
Coquí
Los Angeles-based Coquí (the moniker of Samuel Jacob Lopez Jr.) draws inspiration from eclectic sources—’70s psychedelic rock, ’90s hip-hop, skate-punk, his father’s vinyl collection—making his sound singular in the Christian music landscape. These aren’t radio-friendly Christian pop anthems, but they’re textured and interesting and lived in. I love following the releases of artists like Coquí because you truly don’t know how the sound will evolve from one song to the next.
Songs to sample: “My Lord Provided,” “Ven Con Migo,” “Today,” “Charlie”
Benjamin Daniel
Benjamin Daniel makes poetic, lo-fi, unique Christian music that approaches pain, joy, beauty, and tragedy honestly and without a shred of cynicism. It’s Inklings vibes via indie rock. Daniel’s sound is hard to summarize. One reviewer recently described it as “what Jimmy Eat World or Anberlin would sound like if they were reimagined by a singer/songwriter,” and I think that’s accurate. Give his new album, The Rain Falls Sideways, a full listen.
Songs to sample: “Lights Out,” “Marrow,” “Green Again,” “Fear Hymn”
Forrest Frank
Forrest Frank is probably the fastest-rising star on this list. Fueled by social media buzz and momentum from the viral success of Surfaces (Frank’s duo with Colin Padalecki), the Texas artist’s brand of happy, lo-fi, faith-oriented rap is striking a chord. If you’re populating playlists of upbeat, vibey Christian music for a workout mix or party, you’ll definitely want to include a few Forrest Frank tracks.
Songs to sample: “Hallelujah,” “Up,” “Good Day,” “Amazing Grace”
From the Ground Up
Formed in the wake of a family tragedy, From the Ground Up (based in Manchester, U.K.) makes indie worship music that comes from a place of authentic hope in Christ and trust in the Creator. Beautifully eclectic and devotionally rich, From the Ground Up is a refreshing and unpretentious project with great potential. I can’t wait to see what they do next.
Songs to sample: “Sweet Honey,” “Open Arms,” “Polaris,” “Reside”
Dwan Hill
Based in Nashville, singer-songwriter Dwan Hill is the founder of The Choir Room, a sort of pop-up choir ministry that seeks to bring together “one family of many voices singing for an audience of One.” He’s also a prominent producer, songwriter, and touring musician who has toured with the likes of CeCe Winans and Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors. Combining ’70s influences with contemporary styles, his solo work is excellent.
Songs to sample: “Mansion,” “Glory,” “Where Else Can I Go?” “Turn, Turn, Turn”
iAmSon
Singer-songwriter iAmSon (Orlando Palmer), based in Richmond, Virginia, creates musically rich, emotionally raw, piano-forward devotional music. The multitalented iAmSon studied music at Berklee College of Music and currently serves as artist-in-residence at Redeemer Anglican Church in Richmond. He’s also a frequent collaborator on The Porter’s Gate projects.
Songs to sample: “I Wanna Know,” “Easy to Love,” “Always With Me (Song for Anxiety),” “Thief (Remember Me)”
Praise Lubangu
Praise Lubangu, based in the U.K., has been making music for several years, releasing noteworthy collaboration tracks with a who’s who of indie Christian music (sxxnt., Trulah, IMRSQD). Her stylistic diversity, ranging from lo-fi to techno to acoustic worship, is refreshing, and her clear sense of devotion to Christ comes through beautifully in each song.
Songs to sample: “Covenant,” “Candlelight,” “Raise a Hallelujah,” “Sirens”
Marizu
Following broader trends in global Christianity, Afro-beats and Afro-gospel are surging genres within Christian music. Nigeria alone has produced several leading voices in the genre, including Limoblaze and Calledout Music (both highlighted in previous installments of this series). Marizu is another talent to watch. His God-centered, joyful songs are both musically catchy and spiritually enriching.
Songs to sample: “Abba,” “Big God,” “Working for My Good” “Never the Same”
Joseph O’Brien
After first gaining notoriety on season 13 of America’s Got Talent, Joseph O’Brien was signed by TobyMac’s Gotee label and has emerged as a rising talent on the Christian pop scene. At times evoking Owl City, For King and Country, or even Justin Bieber, O’Brien’s music is youthful, joyful, catchy, and worshipful.
Songs to sample: “Take Your Time,” “Give Up on Love,” “Won’t Let Tomorrow,” “Down In My Heart (Joy)”
Josiah Queen
It’s fitting that Josiah Queen is touring in support of Forrest Frank on the Child of God Tour this summer. Like Frank, Queen is a Gen Z artist who has gained rapid indie success thanks to social media savvy and rabid online fans. Fueled by folksy viral hits “I Am Barabbas” and “The Prodigal,” Queen’s rise reached a new peak earlier this summer when his self-released debut album reached number one on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart.
Songs to sample: “The Prodigal,” “My Promised Land,” “I Am Barabbas,” “Fishes and Loaves”
Saint Augustine’s Music
It’s so encouraging to see excellent Christian music being made by local church worship teams. Sydney’s CityAlight is perhaps the most prominent example, but there are plenty of other noteworthy groups around the world. Recently, I’ve been enjoying the music ministry of Saint Augustine’s Church in Auckland, New Zealand. Check out their lovely new EP, A Table.
Songs to sample: “Here & Now,” “To Be Like You,” “You Are Good,” “Evergreen (Psalm 1)”
Domas Žeromskas
A recent Berklee College of Music graduate, Domas Žeromskas is a Boston-based, Lithuanian pianist and composer whose 2024 jazz album is one of my favorites of the year: Meditations on Providence and Perseverance, Vol. 1. The album intertwines his post-bop, Gospel, and Caribbean music influences and creatively reimagines his native Lithuanian composers’ songbook, as well as hymns from Christian traditions.
Songs to sample: “Of Water and Spirit,” “Be Still My Soul,” “Psalm 139,” “Courage That Won’t Break”
Artists Highlighted in Previous ‘Quality Christian Music’ Lists
2023
- Anchor Hymns
- Joel Ansett
- Victory Boyd
- Bridge Music
- CalledOut Music
- Kyle Church
- Candace Coker
- Fyr Fytr
- Hey Barnabas!
- Sam McCabe
- Ethan Nathaniel
- Anna Palfreeman
- Skye Peterson
- The Soil and the Seed Project
- sxxnt.
- Madison Ryann Ward
2022
- Kelsey Breedlove
- Will Carlisle
- Colorvault
- Cortes
- Elias Dummer
- Davy Flowers
- Garden Friend
- Land of Color
- Joshua Leventhal
- Limoblaze
- Mr. and Mrs. Garrett Soucy
- James Paek
- PEABOD
- Leslie Perez
- Pyramid Park
- Tekoa
- TEMITOPE
2021
- Darla Baltazar
- Former Ruins
- Gable Price and Friends
- Ellie Holcomb
- Hulvey
- IMRSQD
- Judah.
- Eliza King
- Taylor Leonhardt
- Lovkn
- Maverick City Music
- Phil J.
- Bear Rinehart
- Sharyn
- Andy Squyres
- Yaz Williams
2020
- Montell Fish
- Jon Guerra
- Claudia Isaki
- Loud Harp
- Cole McSween
- Medical Morning
- Sajan Nauriyal
- Tenielle Neda
- Jonathan Ogden
- John Mark Pantana
- The Pharaoh Sisters
- Chris Renzema
- Sarah Sparks
- Trulah
- John Van Deusen
2019
- Antoine Bradford
- CityAlight
- The Corner Room
- Greg LaFollette
- Hallowell
- Isla Vista Worship
- Jess Ray
- Josh Gauton
- Latifah Makuyi
- Parallel Stereo
- Psallos
- Russ Mohr
- South of Royal
- Zambroa
