There are two brand new artists that made an album with immediate impact, TAYA and Anne Wilson, who are my top new female artists of the year with their standout songs, "For All My Life," and "Hey Girl." Veteran artists Brandon Heath, Kristene DiMarco, and Amanda Cook, each released their best albums, in my opinion, and they round out my Top 10 albums of the year.
This was yet another great year for Christian music, with several career albums having been released. For female artists, in particular, this may end up as one of the best years ever in music. Don't miss out on any of these great albums. I'd love to read any feedback on albums I may have missed and whether there are any surprises. And check out my Top 10 Songs of 2022 for more great music!
Enough Already by Brandon Heath
I absolutely love Brandon's intentionality and complete focus on God's provision in his life. He is a uniquely gifted singer/songwriter with a big voice that is memorable and dynamic, yet intimate. These songs all have biblically based lyrics that poignantly capture life's simple, yet vital messages. I'm really engaged by the emotional vocals and the prayerful lyrics found in these sacred songs. There is something for everyone, with the hit songs, "Human Nature," and "See Me Through It" captivating listeners. Brandon's vocals will soothe your soul. There are several personal songs that melt my heart, especially, "That's Enough," "Minute by Minute," and "Enough Already." If you like singers that make you think while you enjoy their catchy and empowering songs, Enough Already 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 album of the year and Brandon's best overall album.
Taya by TAYA
TAYA is an anointed singer-songwriter who has a profound way of bringing me closer to God with her poignant words, tender voice, and inspirational truths. If you're looking for words to express your feelings to God in times of hurting and pain, these songs are a wonderful companion. They're memorable, personal, and worshipful. These moving and reverent recordings of adoration are prayers and personal confessions of submission to God. They're anointed, spirit-led, and emotionally captivating. TAYA's tender and gorgeous vocals keep me hanging on to every word she sings. She invites listeners into her life by sharing what's in her heart. The standout songs each feature an engaging and emotive musical style while phrasing her prayer-filled songs in a creative and personal way, making it one of my top albums of the year.
The Field by Kristene DiMarco
This album is filled with several of my new favorite songs by Kristene DiMarco, which is saying a lot since I've had her prior albums in heavy rotation since they were released. I generally rank my favorite songs based on how they move me emotionally. On this album, that includes the standout songs "What If Jesus," "You Are My Country," "Wherever You Lead" and "Gravity." I can't listen to "Gravity" without welling up, and you'll get emotionally swept up in the lyrics, "I thought it made You proud of me to keep my tears behind my eyes, when did I decide, I'm not allowed to cry." Kristene is an anointed singer-songwriter, and she has a profound way of examining the deeper feelings buried in my heart and bringing me closer to God with her poignant words and tender singing. If you are looking for words to express your feelings to God in times of hurting and pain, these songs are a wonderful companion. These are the most transparent, vulnerable, and authentic songs I've heard in quite a while.
State of the Union by Amanda Cook
I absolutely love Amanda's intentionality and complete focus on God's provision in her life. Amanda's songs on State of the Union celebrate God's breath, His Holy Spirit, being breathed into her life. I can really relate to her songs about anxiety and mental health. Amanda is one of my favorite singer-songwriters in all Christian music because her songs are so emotional, vulnerable, and authentic with the standouts, "Miracle of the Mind," "Edens," and "While We Wait." Cook is an anointed songwriter and singer, and she has a profound way of piercing my soul with her poignant words, tender singing, and inspirational truths. The picture of God's unconditional love for us after all that we've done wrong is profoundly captured in these songs. God wants us to know that He's faithful to complete what He's started in all of us who have put our hope and trust in Jesus. This is Amanda Cook's best album and one of my top albums of the year.
My Jesus by Anne Wilson
Anne's vocals are so strong and pure. Country music has made a big mark on the music scene, and the production of these ultra-catchy country-tinged songs could easily be featured in mainstream music alongside top-selling artists. Being a dad of three young daughters, it is difficult to find role models who are making edifying and exciting music. You hear Country music everywhere you go, and most of the time the songs are hollow when it comes to life application and promoting a positive self-image. This album is loaded with positive, grace-filled messages of hope including, "My Jesus," "Devil," "Hey Girl," "Mamas" and "God Thing." The upbeat musical arrangements on this album perfectly accentuate these great songs.
Into the Wild by Dan Bremnes
With a probing spiritual curiosity and imaginative, self-examining lyrics, this album solidifies Dan Bremnes' place among the finest song crafters of his day. His poignant songwriting is coupled with musical excellence as each song urges me to better see God. This album 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. Into the Wild is loaded with great rock beats, catchy melodies, and solid lyrics reflecting dependence on God. Don't miss out on this incredible album, one of the best of the year for sure. Dan'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 of God. I've felt that he's improved with each new album, and this is my favorite Dan Bremnes album.
What Are We Waiting For? by for KING & COUNTRY
What Are We Waiting For? is for KING & COUNTRY's much anticipated fourth album. The album once again demonstrates multi-talented musicianship with creative, insightful lyrics and ear-grabbing melodies. I'm really engaged by the sincere and soothing vocals and the prayerful lyrics throughout the album with the standout songs, "Relate," "Love Me Like I Am," "For God is With Us" and "Together." It's important as believers that others around us see light reflected in our lives - in our words, actions, behaviors, and even our thoughts. Don't conform to the patterns of this world. That's darkness. Our enemy seeks to destroy us with darkness. Instead, know "For God is with us." I really enjoy the soothing and ambient musical vibe of this album, and the melodies and lyrics are all catchy and biblical. Musically the album doesn't conform to the pattern of typical CCM music. Don't miss out on this gem, because it is one of the top albums of the year.
More Alive Vol. 2 by Melanie Penn
Melanie Penn has the gift of encouragement, and every single song lifts me up. She has an infectious and upbeat musical style, layering her strong and distinguished vocals over the top of one hooky melody after another. Melanie has really emerged as one of the top new female vocalists in Christian music, and she is a great role model for girls. She has delivered the ideal album to minister to anyone struggling with fear and self-doubt. Every song is a great showcase of Melanie's excellent singing voice, and you can practically hear her smile as she delivers one infectious song after another. The layered and well-produced musical arrangements on this album perfectly accentuate Melanie's powerful and passionate songs. Don't miss out on one of the most inspirational albums of the year. You won't be able to help but to sing along with the stand-out songs "I Will Trust," "Look Up," "Follow You" and "The Melody."
The Heartbreak & the Healing by Blanca
Blanca is a gifted singer/songwriter with a big voice–dynamic, yet intimate. These songs 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. Blanca's vocals will soothe your soul, and the vertical lyrics will direct your attention and focus on Jesus. Several personal songs melt my heart, especially "Even At My Worst," "Bring You Home," and "The Healing." If you like female singers that make you think while you enjoy their catchy and empowering songs, The Heartbreak and the Healing is for you. This is a solid upbeat pop album with positive biblical messages which is a great alternative to mainstream pop music. It is easily one of my top pop albums of the year.
Whosoever by Rend Collective
Whosoever is a great collection of confessional and authentic expressions of faith, yet another "best" album from Rend Collective. Once again, the songs are poignant and powerful, and in recording the new tunes the band brings a more seasoned level of musicianship, intensity, and intentionality. This album challenges me to think about how I'm living out my faith. Every song released by Rend Collective completely focuses me as a listener on joining in praise, worship, and adoration. These are very passionate songs sung with vocal sincerity and reverence with biblically based lyrics. These songs will certainly connect with listeners and showcase the multi-talented band's trademark balance of vocal tenderness and lyrical intensity, beautiful and stirring musical arrangements, and, above all, songs with a sense of hope and inspiration.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime fan of Christian music, and an avid music collector. He 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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