Lauren Bae ‘Wildflower’ Album Review CCM Magazine Staff November 15, 2018 On her debut album Wildflower, Lauren Bae unveils an impressive vocal range is on full display on radio-friendly pop tracks that may not stand out from—but certainly stands alongside—other contemporary female artists. Wildflower’s front half features some interesting, electronically delivered global rhythms and instrumentation that immediately invite the listener to move along to the unconventional beats.... Read more
Josh White & Josh Garrels ‘Resurrect Our Love’ Album Review CCM Magazine Staff November 14, 2018 Both Josh Garrels and Josh White decided to alter the “cover” process a bit for their new collaborative EP, Resurrect Our Love. The initial idea was a simple one: to trade covers of each other’s songs. Garrels chose White’s “Enclosed by You” and White covered Garrels’ “Don’t Wait For Me.” Another trade happened when the pair realized they’d been covering the other’s songs while leading worship at Portland’s Door of Hope church. With a bit of momentum, a collaborative project emerged.... Read more
Casting Crowns ‘Only Jesus’ Album Review CCM Magazine Staff November 12, 2018 It’s with a small bit of good-natured irony that Mark Hill sings of not wanting to be a legacy on the title track of Casting Crowns’ latest studio effort, Only Jesus.... Read more
Dan Bremnes ‘Wherever I Go’ Album Review Layla Velasquez November 10, 2018 Dan Bremnes is based in Nashville, but his sound is not. On his new EP, Wherever I Go, the Canadian-born artist explores themes of faith and the unknown atop plenty of propulsive new melodies on this seven-song release. The title track was inspired by an eight-day adventure through seven countries.... Read more
Crowder ‘I Know A Ghost’ Album Review CCM Magazine Staff November 9, 2018 Almost 50 years ago, Flannery O’Connor coined the term “Christ-haunted South,” and that banner haunts Crowder’s new album I Know A Ghost front to back. This is a South-ern rock record, to be sure, but more than that, it’s an album that recognizes the presence of the Holy Spirit and His work in the world.... Read more
Mark Schultz ‘Christmas’ Album Review Andrew Greenhalgh November 3, 2018 With Mark Schultz’s celebrated career built on warm, endearing vocals, heart-tugging lyrics, and rich melodies, it seems strange that this is the artist’s first foray into releasing a full-length record of holiday tunes, aptly titled Christmas. ... Read more
Greg LaFollette ‘Songs of Common Prayer’ Album Review CCM Magazine Staff November 2, 2018 Joining just a few others before him—Fernando Ortega comes to mind–Greg LaFollette has written an album of songs inspired by the Book of Common Prayer. In essence, Songs of Common Prayer applies the power of music to the hymnbook’s neighbor on the pew rack.... Read more
Sean Feucht ‘Wild’ Album Review CCM Magazine Staff November 1, 2018 Worship leader, missionary, and Burn 24/7 founder Sean Feucht already had quite the resume, but he recently added Bethel Music family member to his list. Wild, recorded live at Bethel Church, is his first album as part of the famed worship collective, and it captures his passion and spontaneity in 11 stirring songs celebrating the wild love of God.... Read more
The Afters ‘The Beginning & Everything After’ Album Review Matt Conner October 31, 2018 A new album is already in the works from The Afters for 2019, and the new tracks on The Beginning & Everything After show the veteran band is more than ready to keep adding to the hits collected here.... Read more
Darlene Zschech and HopeUC ‘The Table: A Christmas Worship Gathering’ Album Review Andrew Greenhalgh October 26, 2018 For those wondering what a candlelight Christmas Eve service might sound like at legendary worship artist Darlene Zschech’s HopeUC, they need look no further than The Table: A Christmas Worship Gathering.... Read more