This was a great year for Christian music. Some of my favorite names dug deep into God's Word for musical inspiration. For many artists, 2021 has been a great opportunity to inspire others, as the world faces the COVID-19 pandemic. And in desperate need for healing and hope.
My top 10 albums list reflects a blend of Christian worship, rock, and pop. God's Word doesn't return void. And these albums have been a blessing to all listeners.
This year, both new and established artists have released career-marking albums. The sophomore release, Godsend, by pop artist Riley Clemmons tops my list. Veteran artists Phil Wickham, Sara Groves, Crowder, Ellie Holcomb, and Jon Foreman join Riley. While Veteran bands NEEDTOBREATHE, Bethel Music, Hillsong Worship, and We Are Messengers round out the rest of my Top 10.
Let’s take a closer look at these selections and why they’re this year’s best of the best. Also, please feel free to share albums I might have missed and whether there are any surprises on this list.
Godsend by Riley Clemmons
Godsend is about proclaiming the majesty of God and crying out in awe and wonder for His presence. Each song on the release is memorable, personal, and worshipful. These moving and reverent recordings are prayers and personal confessions of submission to God. Not to mention poignant songs of adoration.
Every song is completely anointed, spirit-led, and emotionally captivating. Riley’s powerful and gorgeous vocals keep me hanging on every word she sings. She 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 the year.
Into the Mystery by NEEDTOBREATHE
Rock band NEEDTOBREATHE consistently makes songs that remind us to get to that place where we're in humble submission to God. Don't play it safe. Ask for God to be real in your life. You'll never see true beauty if you don't fully submit to God.
Into the Mystery is one of my top albums of the year from both the Christian and mainstream music markets. It’s one of the catchiest, most energetic, and emotionally engaging albums I've heard this year.
I truly enjoy their entire catalog and the songs on this album are no different—standout hit songs “I Am Yours,” “Into the Mystery,” as well as “I Wanna Remember” featuring country artist Carrie Underwood are worth a mention. If you like those songs, you'll love the entire album.
Hymn of Heaven by Phil Wickham
Hymn of Heaven provides listeners with songs that proclaim acceptance of God’s love in any circumstance. The album provides words of appreciation and adoration to God. Phil’s enthusiastic and reverent style of writing and singing praise and worship songs has consistently been a draw for me.
Phil’s prayerful sentiments are consistently filled with his personal adoration of God. I've felt that he's improved with each new album, and this is my top worship album of the year. It’s a completely worshipful album, in the style of Phil's previous offerings of enthusiastic praise and worship. Every single song on the release could be added to your Sunday morning worship set.
What Makes It Through by Sara Groves
The songs on What Makes It Through are all captivating. And if you like Sara's emotional songs "Miracle," "This Cup," and "It's Me," then you absolutely must have this album. Sara is a uniquely gifted singer/songwriter with a tender voice that is memorable and dynamic, yet intimate.
These songs all have lyrics that poignantly capture life's complex and vital messages. If you like female singers that make you think while you enjoy their catchy and empowering songs, What Makes it Through is for you. This is one of my top albums of the year in any genre.
Milk & Honey by Crowder
Every song on Milk & Honey displays contemporary icon Crowder’s heart behind what he does, leading people in worship. The new album demonstrates, once again, the passion and energy that have made Crowder one of Christian music's most compelling artists.
True to form, Milk & Honey reflects real life and emotion, from longing and struggle to breakthrough and gratitude. It reflects Crowder’s forthright songwriting and intimate and unmistakable vocals backed by powerful arrangements. The album derives its power from the fact that life and music intertwine so fully. Crowder can really write a hooky and truth-filled chorus. And, hits “Good God Almighty” and “In The House” are catchy, relevant, and worshipful, similar to his previous hits.
Homecoming by Bethel Music
If you’re looking for new worship songs to sing at church, Bethel Music’s Homecoming is full of congregational songs—especially "Too Good to Not Believe," "Hymn of Heaven," "Send Me," and "Wherever You Lead." Every song released on the album focuses me as a listener on joining in praise, worship, and adoration of Jesus.
Every poignant song has powerful lyrics, thus making Homecoming one of the top worship albums of the year. You’re in for a truly moving and prayerful worship experience.
Bethel Music’s band members—that is, anointed worship leaders—have consistently impressed me with their mature faith and sincere desire to serve Jesus. Worship is really about submission, and our roles as worshippers are really defined on Homecoming: to just be amazed and in awe of God.
These Same Skies by Hillsong Worship
These Same Skies have several instantly singable and worshipful arrangements that you'll want to add to your Sunday morning set-list, including “Freedom,” “Hope of the Ages,” and “Never Walk Alone.” Don’t miss out on this incredible worship album, one of the best of the year. I eagerly await each new Hillsong Worship release, and this album is a truly stellar offering of worship.
If you want to experience a fresh, biblically inspired and Jesus-focused worship album, look no further. This album is a wonderful reminder that there is immeasurably more to our God that we can think or imagine, and this album captures that sentiment. These Same Skies is a must-have addition to your worship collection, creating moments of deep connection with Jesus.
Wholehearted by We Are Messengers
Wholehearted is one of the most meaningful albums I've ever heard. I can't get the catchy melodies of many of these songs out of my head. These perfectly produced tracks invite listeners to join the band on their spiritual journey—especially standouts “Wholehearted,” “Come What May,” and “Now It’s Our Turn.”
This album is a great collection of confessional and authentic expressions of faith. Not to mention it’s the best album, overall, from We Are Messengers. The songs are poignant and powerful. They showcase a more seasoned level of musicianship, intensity, and intentionality.
Canyon by Ellie Holcomb
Contemporary artist Ellie Holcomb is an anointed songwriter. She has had a profound way of bringing me closer to God with her poignant words, tender singing, and inspirational truths. Canyon’s songs are all standout tracks filled with overwhelming biblical truth. They are companions in my personal prayer and worship time.
Ellie has captivating and catchy songs filled with inspirational lyrics. She brings sincerity and relatable themes that get deeper with each listen. This is truly a moving and prayerful album.
Departures by Jon Foreman
Departures is a great collection of confessional and authentic expressions of faith. The songs are poignant and powerful. There are no filler tracks, and this is easily one of my top “gourmet” albums of the year. If you want to experience an uplifting, soul-stirring, stunning and introspective album, look no further than Jon Foreman. John is also lead vocalist of popular alternative band Switchfoot.
These songs will certainly connect with listeners and showcase the multi-talented singer/songwriter's trademark balance of vocal tenderness and intensity. This is an incredibly deep, worshipful, and emotional album, thus making Departures one of my top albums of the year.
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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