Quality Christian Music: 15 Artists to Follow

Every summer, I put together 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 choose artists who are both musically interesting and clearly Christian, in a way that’s authentic but not corny.

To compile these lists, I focus on artists from a wide range of genres, both newer and lesser-known, who have released new music in the past year. I also look for artists who make music in different countries around the world.

While the music industry as a whole is stagnating, Christian music is booming. Year-to-date, the Christian/Gospel genre ranks as the fourth fastest-growing genre in music, with an 8.9% increase in overall consumption. Much of this growth is being driven by younger audiences (millennials and younger), who now make up 45% of the genre’s audience, up from 39% in 2022. Several of the emerging artists featured below are contributing to this.

Contrary to some stereotypes about Christian music, the genre (especially when you look beyond Christian radio) is full of musical creativity and artistic innovation. The 15 artists I’ve highlighted below (listed alphabetically) are a perfect example of this.

Check out their music via the sample playlist 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.

---

Luc Bower

Texas native Luke Bower caught my attention this year with his nostalgic ballad “Not My Home.” Listening to his debut full-length EP, The man on fireexplained why he’s grown such a following on TikTok and Instagram. It’s authentic, faith-driven, country-tinged folk music at its best.

Songs to sample: “Not in My House,” “Haunted,” “Man on Fire,” “Halfway to Your Heart”

Jimmy Clifton

I have been following North Carolina singer-songwriter Jimmy Clifton for a few years now. This passionate young artist has a unique Appalachian sound (with some Bon Iver influences) and puts his heart into every song. His songs often explore themes of freedom in Christ and overcoming pornography addiction.

Songs to sample: “Hypocrite”, “Again”, “Come on my love”, “Moses”

Aaron Cole

Despite being just 25 years old, 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 just getting started. Check out his new album that just dropped, Sorry, I changed.

Songs to sample: “One More Day”, “Proof”, “Just in Time”, “Like You”

Shell

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 dad’s vinyl collection—which makes his sound unique in the Christian music landscape. They’re not radio-friendly Christian pop anthems, but they’re textured, interesting, and grounded in reality. I love following the releases of artists like Coquí because you really don’t know how the sound is going to evolve from song to song.

Songs to sample: “My Lord Has Provided”, “Ven Con Migo”, “Today”, “Charlie”

Benjamin Daniel

Benjamin Daniel makes poetic, lo-fi, unique Christian music that addresses pain, joy, beauty, and tragedy with honesty and without a hint of cynicism. It’s the Inklings vibe via indie rock. Daniel’s sound is hard to sum up. One critic recently described it as “what Jimmy Eat World or Anberlin would sound like if reimagined by a singer-songwriter,” and I think that’s accurate. Give his new album, The rain falls sidewaysa complete listening.

Songs to sample: “Lights Out”, “Marrow”, “Green Again”, “Fear Hymn”

Frank Forest

Forrest Frank is probably the fastest rising star on this list. Fueled by social media buzz and the momentum of the viral success of Surfaces (Frank’s duet with Colin Padalecki), the Texas artist’s joyful, lo-fi, faith-driven rap is hitting the mark. If you’re filling playlists with upbeat, energetic Christian music for a workout mix or a party, you’ll definitely want to include a few Forrest Frank tracks.

Songs to sample: “Hallelujah,” “Stand Up,” “Have a Nice Day,” “Amazing Grace”

From the ground up

Formed in the wake of a family tragedy, From the Ground Up (based in Manchester, UK) make independent worship music that comes from a place of authentic hope in Christ and trust in the Creator. Beautifully eclectic and rich in devotion, From the Ground Up is a refreshingly 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

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Dwan Hill is the founder of The Choir Room, a pop-up choir of sorts that seeks to bring together “a family of many voices singing for a single audience.” He’s also a prominent producer, songwriter, and touring musician who’s 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

Richmond, Virginia-based singer-songwriter iAmSon (Orlando Palmer) creates devotional music that is rich in music, raw in emotion, and piano-driven. The multi-talented iAmSon studied music at Berklee College of Music and is currently an artist-in-residence at Redeemer Anglican Church in Richmond. He is also a frequent collaborator on The Porter’s Gate projects.

Songs to sample: “I Want to Know”, “Easy to Love”, “Always With Me (Song for Anxiety)”, “Thief (Remember Me)”

Praise to Lubangu

UK-based Praise Lubangu has been making music for several years and has released notable collaborative tracks with a who’s who of independent Christian music (sxxnt., Trulah, IMRSQD). His stylistic diversity, ranging from lo-fi to techno to acoustic worship, is refreshing, and his clear sense of devotion to Christ shines through beautifully in every song.

Songs to sample: “Covenant”, “Candlelight”, “Raise a Hallelujah”, “Sirens”

Marizu

Following the broader trends of global Christianity, Afro-beats and Afro-gospel are burgeoning genres in Christian music. Nigeria alone has produced several prominent voices in the genre, including Limoblaze and Calledout Music (both highlighted in previous episodes of this series). Marizu is another talent to watch. Her joyful, God-centered 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 gaining notoriety during season 13 of America’s Got TalentJoseph O’Brien was signed to TobyMac’s Gotee label and has established himself as an emerging talent on the Christian pop scene. At times reminiscent of Owl City, For King and Country, and even Justin Bieber, O’Brien’s music is youthful, joyful, upbeat, and full of worship.

Songs to sample: “Take Your Time”, “Give Up Love”, “I Won’t Let You Do Tomorrow”, “Deep 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 found rapid success as an independent artist thanks to his rabid fans and social media savvy. Fueled by viral folk hits “I Am Barabbas” and “The Prodigal,” Queen’s rise reached a new peak earlier this summer when his self-released debut album hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart.

Songs to sample: “The Prodigal Son”, “My Promised Land”, “I Am Barabbas”, “Fishes and Loaves”

The Music of Saint Augustine

It’s very encouraging to see good Christian music being produced by local church worship bands. Sydney’s CityAlight is perhaps the most prominent example, but there are many other great bands around the world. Recently, I enjoyed the music ministry of St Augustine’s Church in Auckland, New Zealand. Check out their stunning new EP, A table.

Songs to sample: “Here and Now”, “Be Like You”, “You Are Good”, “Evergreen (Psalm 1)”

Žeromskas Estates

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. 1The album interweaves his post-bop, gospel and Caribbean musical influences and creatively reimagines the repertoire of his native Lithuanian composers, as well as hymns from Christian traditions.

Songs to sample: “Water and the Spirit”, “Be Still, My Soul”, “Psalm 139”, “The Courage That Will Not Break”

---

Artists Featured in Previous “Quality Christian Music” Lists

2023

• Anchoring Anthems
• Joel Ansett
• Victory Boyd
• Bridge Music
• Music by CalledOut
• Kyle Church
• Candace Coker
• Fyr Fytr
• Hey Barnabas!
• Sam McCabe
• Ethan Nathaniel
• Anna Palfreeman
• Skye Peterson
• The “Soil and Seeds” project
• whore.
• Madison Ryann Ward

2022

• Kelsey Breedlove
• Will Carlisle
• Color Safe
• Cortes
• Elias Dummer
• Davy’s Flowers
• Friend of the garden
• Land of colors
• Joshua Leventhal
• Limoblaze
• Mr. and Mrs. Garrett Soucy
• James Paek
• PEABOD
• Leslie Perez
• Pyramid Park
• Tekoa
• TEMITOPE

2021

• Darla Baltazar
• Ancient ruins
• Gable Price and Friends
• Ellie Holcomb
• Hulvey
• IMRSQD
• Judah.
• Eliza King
• Taylor Leonhardt
• Love
• Maverick City Music
• Phil J.
• Rinehart Bear
• Sharyn
• Andy Squyres
• Yaz Williams

2020

• Montell Fish
• Jon Guerra
• Claudia Isaki
• Strong harp
• Cole McSween
• Medical morning
• Sajan Nauriyal
• Tenielle Neda
• Jonathan Ogden
• Jean Marc Pantana
• The Pharaoh’s Sisters
• Chris Renzema
• Sarah Sparks
• Trulah
• John Van Deusen

2019

• Antoine Bradford
• City of Lights
• The corner room
• Greg LaFollette
• Hallowell
• Worship at Isla Vista
• Jess Ray
• Josh Gauton
• Latifah Makuyi
• Parallel stereo
• Psallos
• Russ Mohr
• South of Royal
• Zambroa