I'm impressed with the quality of new Christian music releases in the last decade (2011 to 2021). I thought these were among the best years in the history of Christian music, with career albums by veteran artists and bands NEEDTOBREATHE, Audrey Assad, Matt Maher, Switchfoot, Francesca Battistelli, Plumb, and Sara Groves, as well as emerging artists Ellie Holcomb, Unspoken, Jordan Feliz, and Riley Clemmons.
What's unique about this past decade is the emergence of the female vocalist, both in the Christian and mainstream music markets; the mainstream hitmakers include Adele, Colbie Caillat, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry. Six noteworthy Christian female artists topping my top 10 albums of the past eleven years include Sara Groves, Audrey Assad, Plumb, Ellie Holcomb, Francesca Battistelli, and Riley Clemmons. As the father of three young daughters, this is a great new trend in music that's long overdue, in my opinion.
Here are my top 11 favorite albums of the past decade.
Best of 2011: Sara Groves - Invisible Empires
Each of Sara Groves' albums has received well-deserved acclaim for her premier songwriting ability. The artist's albums have always had at least one song that pulls my heartstrings and brings out an emotional response.
From "Maybe There's A Loving God" to "I Saw What I Saw" and "It's Me," I always expect at least one of Sara's songs to make me cry. On Invisible Empires, there are several personal songs that melt my heart including, "Obsolete," "I'll Wait," "Precious Again," and "Finite."
"Miracle" beautifully sets the tone for this five-star masterpiece with her signature piano-based introspective style. Sara's excellent songwriting and captivating piano-based singer-songwriter style make her one of my favorite female artists in any genre of music.
Audrey Assad was my favorite new female vocalist from 2012. Her album, Heart, captures the beauty and sincerity of her incredible vocals and stirring songs. Her 2010 album, The House You're Building, captivated me, but it was Heart that completely won me over.
From start to finish, all 12 songs weave a tapestry that is artful, engaging, catchy, and emotional. If I'm ever stranded on a deserted island and can only listen to one album for the rest of my days, I'll forever choose Heart.
Need You Now has been one of my favorite albums to savor for many years. On it, Plumb, real name Tiffany Arbuckle-Lee, uses her incredible vocal range and her compelling and relevant lyrics, perfectly combined, to deliver a stellar and flawless masterpiece.
Plumb's long-time producer, Matt Bronleewe, describes her unique sound as "raw, lyrically introspective vocals floating across an epic soundscape." Every Plumb album is an immersion into her life. Each is unique, tied to the emotions and circumstances that inspired it, and yet each is timeless and identifiable as the outpouring of a singular artistic vision.
Best of 2014: NEEDTOBREATHE - Rivers in the Wasteland
NEEDTOBREATHE is a rock band that consistently makes songs that remind us to get to that place where we are in humble submission to God. Their songs tell us to not play it safe, and, instead, take a chance and ask for God to be real in our lives.
Rivers in the Wasteland is the best album I heard in 2014. It includes a solid mix of Southern-rock-tinged music with inspirational lyrics. Don't miss the standout songs "Wasteland," "Feet Don't Fail Me Now," "Difference Maker," "Rise Again," "The Heart," "Multiplied," and "More Heart, Less Attack." The very relatable and transparent words of these eleven stellar tracks use poetic descriptions and biblical language throughout, resulting in a great NEEDTOBREATHE collection.
Canadian Christian icon Matt Maher's 2015 album, Saints and Sinners, was my top album for 2015. It was highly anticipated after the success of his 2013 compilation, All the People Said Amen. The compelling, 11-track album keeps Matt's signature holy energy flowing and has plenty of songs that you can sing with fellow believers.
Saints and Sinners perfectly captures the penetrating spirit and charisma that Matt Maher's worship songs have become known for. Matt's theological, holy, and reverent style of writing and singing worship music has consistently attracted me. Several of Matt's prayerful sentiments should be added to your Sunday morning worship set, especially "A Future Not My Own," "Deliverer," "Glory Bound," "Because He Lives (Amen)" and the gorgeous ballads, "Abide with Me" and "Rest."
Best of 2016: Switchfoot - Where The Light Shines Through
The popular band Switchfoot has had a major impact on my walk as a believer since their third release, Learning to Breathe. The band's following seven releases have been a constant companion on that journey as my faith matured.
We have a responsibility to remember that, as Switchfoot's song "Meant to Live" puts it, "we were meant to live for so much more" than what the world tells us. And, as we look at people that God has made in His image, we need to know that "love alone is worth the fight" (this is a song from Switchfoot's 2015 EP, Fading West).
Considering the recent tragedies worldwide, the band's 10th release Where the Light Shines Through is a great collection that can give you solace. The album has songs about healing, including "I Won't Let You Go," "Hope is the Anthem," "Live it Well," and the title track, "Where The Light Shines Through." The release provides guidance and comfort to believers trying to make sense of life's obstacles.
Ellie is an anointed songwriter who has a profound way of bringing me closer to God with her poignant words, tender singing, and inspirational truths. I get welled up singing along with several of the emotion-laden songs on Red Sea Road. I've been yearning for more "gourmet" songs like these since her 2014 album, As Sure As The Sun. Ellie brings sincerity and relatable themes that get deeper with each listen.
I absolutely love Christian contemporary artist Francesca Battistelli's intentionality and complete focus on God's provision in her life. She is a uniquely gifted singer-songwriter with a big voice that is memorable and dynamic, yet intimate. The songs from her 2018 album, Own It, have biblically-based lyrics that poignantly capture life's simple, yet vital messages.
I'm engaged by the emotional vocals and the prayerful lyrics found in these sacred songs. Francesca's vocals will soothe your soul, and the vertical lyrics will direct your attention and focus to Jesus. There are several personal songs that melt my heart, especially "This Can Change Everything," "Let the Light In," "As Good As It Gets," and "Defender."
If you like female singers that make you think while you enjoy their catchy and empowering songs, Own It is for you. I have three young daughters, and this is a solid upbeat pop album with positive biblical messages that is a great alternative to mainstream pop artists. This is easily my top pop album of the year and Francesca's very best overall album.
Contemporary band Unspoken's Reason followed up on the success of their debut eponymous album and sophomore album Follow Through, which featured the hit songs "The Cure," "Higher," and "Miracle." Both albums ranked in my top five albums of the year and The Reason is a worthy follow-up.
The Reason is chock-full of hits including "Reason," "Help is on the Way" and "Just Give Me Jesus." In this age of lyrical ambiguity, it's refreshing how this band spells out their passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their music.
"Reason" is one song that gives a convicting and sobering reminder that God brings trials to remind us how much we need Him. The song, as well as the album itself, gives many glimpses of the authentic reality of life and its experiences–good and bad. Life doesn't always go as we want it to or even how we pray for God to work in our lives. The album's music celebrates God's sovereignty and professes that He's the ultimate ruler over our lives. Every thought and lyric in this song--and this album--is rooted in Scripture, which I admire.
With this excellent album, Unspoken is offering a great example of how an artist or band can write and sing lyrics that are unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that can reach the lost with transparent confessions of faith.
Say It is sure to connect with all listeners who like catchy songs filled with truth and yearning for God. I really enjoy the exciting musical vibe of this album, and the melodies and lyrics are all catchy and biblical. This album is loaded with great rock beats, catchy melodies, and solid lyrics reflecting unashamed faith in Jesus.
Don't miss out on this incredible album, one of the best of the year, for sure. Jordan's enthusiastic and reverent style of writing and singing songs has consistently been a draw for me. His prayerful sentiments are consistently filled with his personal adoration for God. I've felt that he's improved with each new album.
Every song on Riley Clemmon's album, Godsend, is completely anointed, spirit-led, and emotionally captivating. The young artist's powerful and gorgeous vocals keep me hanging on every word she sings. Riley invites listeners into her life by sharing what's on her heart and relying on God’s grace in her edifying lyrics. Each song features an engaging and emotive musical style, while phrasing her prayer-filled messages in a creative and personal way, making it my top album of 2021.
Want more music? NewReleaseToday founder Kevin McNeese chose his favorites from each of the first 10 years of NewReleaseToday. Catch his annual best of picks here.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime fan of Christian music, an avid music collector, and credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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