Best Albums & Songs of 2020 (So Far)

• Peopled with Dreams – John Mark McMillan  (“A strange, playful, hopeful record full of surprises”)
• Leave What’s Lost Behind  – Colony House (“Shows maturity both lyrically and musically”)
• Operation Song: Friday Sessions – Cindy Morgan (“A songwriting giant on her A game”)
• Tandem – Waterdeep (“Brilliant songs both musically and lyrically with quirky twists and turns”)
• Robin Hood – Jan Krist (“Her songwriting and delivery excels, as always”)
• Meadow – Jillian Edwards (“Spiritually & musically takes me to the moon each listen”)
• Open Heart – Phil Madeira (“Soul music and word play mastery”)
• Curse of the Faithful – Justin McRoberts (“Bold and relatable Christ-centered folk songwriting”)
• Twenty Four – Jonathan Ogden (“Songwriting that affects me deeply”)
• Disorder EP – Jason Gray (“Gray’s poignant songwriting is coupled with musical excellence”)
• Peace to All Who Enter Here – Josh Garrels  (“Feels like a calm summer breeze”)
• Someday I’ll Make It All Up To You – Tyson Motsenbocker (“Honesty, compassion, & hope”)
• Let The Ground Rest – Chris Renzema (“Close your eyes and get swept away”)
• Yellowhammer Hymns – Yellowhammer Hymns (“A stellar collection of original hymns”)
• Searching for Us – Skye Peterson (“Vulnerable songwriting and heartfelt delivery”)
• Wilder Years – John Tibbs (“A vulnerability and ability to connect emotionally in his songs”)
• Glorious  – Jordan and Jessa (“Moving and reverent prayers and personal confessions”)
• Live  – Common Hymnal (“The exact mix of worship and social justice songs needed today”)
• Patterns in the Static – The Classic Crime (“Deeply emotional sensibilities”)
• All Creatures – Rain For Roots (“Gospel-centered, kid-directed, parent-approved”)
• The Man I Thought I’d Never Be – Anthony Quails (“Full of warmth and heart”)
• People – Jonathan  McReynolds  (“Bridges the gap between gospel/R&B and pop”)
• Straight Bars & Guns – Roemer (“A strong dose of art and truth”)
• Doubter/Friend – Liv Douglas (“A soothing salve of comfort for a heart of doubt and struggle”)
• Lead On, Kindly Light/This World & One More – Bill Mallonee (“Possibly a career pinnacle”)
• Dreaming in Electric Blue – Dave Barnes (“Moves between tender, groovy, & retro”)
• Carrollton – Carrollton (“This Americana-style rocking album explores all parts of your heart”)
• Waiting Games – Trella (“Sophisticated indie pop with weighty lyrics”)
• Travelers & Balconeers – Zambroa (“A tour of theology, church history, and experimental sound”)
• Keeper of Days – Jon Guerra (“It’s subdued and contemplative, then sneaks up on you”)
• Among the Pines  – Ryan Clair (“A wonderful acoustic driven thoughtful musical excursion”)
• See You Tomorrow – The Innocence Mission (“A lovely, enchanting, and profound album”)
• Two Ghosts – Wayne Everett (“Impossibly lovely songs that are poetic, charming, & airy”)
• Not an Island – Pyramid Park (“Reminds you of the past, but maybe feels like it’s from the future”)
• The Story’s Still Alive – Graham Jones (“I was amazed by the excellence of this release”)
• Suite No.2: World Keeps Spinning  – The Brilliance (” Songs with a sense of hope & inspiration”)
• The Foot of the Mountain – Stephen Gordon (“A refreshing and emotional collection of songs”)
• Unfall – Chase Tremaine (“Intricate guitar driven, vocally superb music”)
• Fractioned Heart – Gable Price and Friends (“Had me bouncing and singing… and thinking”)
• Swan Dive – Off Road Minivan (“Passionate and thunderous emo rock”)
• Heat of Summer – Summerooms (“Been playing on repeat and still can’t get enough”)
• Brand New  – Matthew West (“Recalls the playful, personable writing of his earlier albums”)
• What in the World – Michael McDermott (“It may be the album we really need right now”)
• Tension  – Anchor & Braille (“A beautifully rendered project with pop sensibilities”)

BEST GOURMET SONGS OF 2020(A)

• “Constellations” – Ellie Holcomb (“God at times seems so distant yet we are never alone”)
• “Where I’m From” – Colony House (“The fantastic songwriting shines through”)
• “God is Young” – John Mark McMillan (“Playful R&B with thought provoking insights”)
• “I Can Do Better” – Christa Wells (“An honest, beautiful & confessional song”)
• “People” – Jonathan McReynolds (“Provocative without politicizing or proselytizing”)
• “He Will Redeem It All” – Melanie Penn (“Perfect reminder at this time”)
• “Simon, Taylor, Denver, Cash” – The Promise is Hope (“My favorite from 2020A”)
• “You Already” – JJ Heller (“Identifies with everyone living with anxiety”)
• “Runaway” – John Tibbs (“You can hear both yearning & thankfulness”)
• “After This” – Carolyn Arends (“Written about and performed for these days”)
• “Good Morning” – Royce Lovett  (“Fresh urban reggae beats mix with motivating lyrics”)
• “Remind Me You’re Here” – Jason Gray (“A gorgeous offering of praise”)
• “Weak, Proudly” – Jillian Edwards (“An ode to those who have a spiritually empty gas tank”)
• “Survival” – Needtobreathe (ft. Drew & Ellie Holcomb) (“A foot-stomping prayer”)
• “Somebody Dies” – Candace Coker (“Exhibits her brilliant songwriting talent”)
• “The Darkside of Grace” – Roemer (“Dark, honest, realistic, hopeful…”)
• “Someday Soon” – Russ Mohr (“A poignant song of hope that harkens to Andrae Crouch”)
• “God Gave Me Horses” – Leigh Nash (“A great picture of grace – whether it’s true or not!”)
• “Trust in You” – Antoine Bradford (“A classic sound that takes you back”)
• “Rainbow” – SHEL (“They hit a different gear on this track”)
• “Pollyanna” – Carly Taich (“Playful melodies, strong vocals, true optimism”)
• “Burn Again” – Ecclesia (“Genre bending arrangement meets scriptural lyrics”)
• “On the Way Back Down” – Paul Demer (“Points us to be teachable at all times”)
• “See the Day” – Liz Vice (“A sweet, soulful, and powerful call for justice”)
• “Tightrope” – Jon Guerra (“Tight harmonies and thoughtful songwriting”)
• “Be Still” – Loud Harp (“Serves as a heavy blanket, soothing comfort, needed hug”)
• “What is the Rush?” – Tina Boonstra (“Moves me musically while resonating emotionally”)
• “The Long Defeat” – Justin McRoberts (“Calls us to persevere with faith and hope”)
• “Psalm 15” – Poor Bishop Hooper (“An outstanding psalm interpretation”)
• “How Much Longer” – Common Hymnal/Ike Ndolo (“A powerful plea for justice”)
• “Sorry” – Treva Blomquist (“Killer production on the topic of conflict resolution”)
• “Unbroken Horses” – John Mark McMillan (“From the guts performance”)
• “Sunday Morning” – Tyson Motsenbocker (“Investigates faith amidst big questions”)
• “Find You” – Audrey Assad (“Captures mystery, ache, and longing for God”)
• “Spring” – Thomas Austin & Jon Henry (“Stripped-down sound + poetic lyrics”)
• “Before You God” – Andy Squyers (“Has a haunting yet gospel feel”)
• “Still” – Allie Paige (“A dreamy reminder that we should take a moment to be still”)
• “This I Know” – Carrollton (“Faith clearly expressed with a bluesy funk vibe”)
• “You Free My Soul” – Kate Hurley & Edenheart (“Feel the palpable live passion”)
• “There is No Virus on the Moon” – Andy Zipf (“Thank you for a place we can go”)
• “I Cannot Outrun Your Grace” – Jordan and Jessa (“Engaging and soothing style”)
• “The Road” –  6’10 (“This simple traveling song keeps calling back to me”)
• “Your Nearness Is Our Good” – Micah Michelle (ft. Liz Vice) (“Old Gospel feel”)
• “Lately” – David Keener (“Explores reticences and hesitations of the heart”)
• “Pull Apart” – Summerooms (“Soothing melody and thoughtful lyrics”)
• “Rise Up (Lazarus)” – CAIN (“Speaks truth into our weary soul”)
• “The Man Who Needed Grace” – Matthew West (“Folk + bombastic modern pop”)
• “Rise” – Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles (“Hope… Optimism… and 100% funk”)
• “Holding On” – The Brilliance (“Finding hope in God in this turbulent time”)
• “Christ Jesus” – John Mark McMillan (“Singable, memorable, but not trite”)
• “Still” – Civilized Creature (“Lush synth-pop that calls us to rest in Him”)
• “You Are The One” – John Mark Nelson (“Reminds me that people > things”)