We know how important high-quality faith-based music is to you… we can relate.  Yet, it’s so easy to miss the true gems that are released as albums, EPs, or singles.  Our team at UTR can’t even keep up.  So we’ve called in reinforcements.  The UTR Panel of Critics represent a variety of websites and publications as music critics, and each summer they convene to help us cite the best albums and songs of the first half of the year.  This impressive list showcases how 2020 has been another strong year for creative, faith-fueled music.  We hope this is at least a good starting point in finding the most meaningful music on the planet from the last 6 months.  Here’s our critics’ picks for The Best Albums & Songs of 2020 (so far).

[Titles are listed in no particular orderThe quotes in parenthesis is a pull quote from one of our critics.  Albums & songs qualified if the artist is a Believer in Christ, and was released between 12/1/19 and 6/15/20.]

BEST GOURMET ALBUMS OF 2020(A)

  • 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”)

COMMENT & WIN A TEE

Like any list of “critics’ picks,” it’s a fun topic to discuss.  What are the albums and songs that you are excited to try out?  Were there any selections on your list that we missed?  Share below.  [We’re going to select one random winner from all the submitted comments to receive UTR’s new limited-edition “Keys For Survival” tee.]