If you are having trouble keeping up on all the new music released this year – don’t worry – you are not alone… and we are here to help guide you.  Our UTR Critics Panel has submitted their recommendations on some of the best of the best new releases from the first half of 2024.  Are there some excellent releases not listed here? Absolutely! (In fact, feel free to comment below to add extra picks).  We feel like these few dozen selections are a great place for you to start as we are all searching for well-crafted, faith-inspired music.

[These are listed in no particular order.  Albums and songs qualify if they are from Christ-following artists and released between 12/1/23 and 6/15/24.]

Best Albums of 2024(A)

  • In Bloom – Jon Forman  [“An exquisite album reveling in the bittersweetness of life” – Jessica]
  • Insomnie – Moon Bride  [“Brilliant and eclectic alt-pop music about life struggles” – Larry]
  • Manna – Chris Renzema  [“Sit with these lyrics to mine the layers of goodness” – Josh]
  • The Process – Judah & the Lion  [“Vulnerable yet rocking walk through the stages of grief” – Dave]
  • JOY JOY JOY JOY JOY – Paul Zach  [“Full of swing and groove” – Garret]
  • Close to Home – Caroline Cobb  [“Beautiful album filled with personal songs” – Larry]
  • Like Unto Lambs – Luxury  [“Incredible record – they set a new standard” – John]
  • For Old Times’ Sake – Green River Ordinance  [“Uplifting alt-country goodness” – Dave]
  • Give it Time – Terrian  [“Heart cries strung to music” – Mick]
  • Friends Like These – Dan Stirling  [“Incredible production on this debut album” – Garret]
  • Sawtooth Star – Kylie Dailey  [“Imaginative lyrics paired with inventive arrangements” – Larry]
  • Man on Fire – Luke Bower  [“Gritty, heartfelt, and anthemic” – Dave]
  • Mat Kearney – Mat Kearney  [“Connects in such an authentic and relatable way” – Kevin]
  • A New Reality – Sarah Kroger  [“Artfully navigating doubt, pain, struggle, and hope” – Jessica]
  • Paper Horses – Paper Horses  [“Stellar Americana release from tremendous songstresses” – Josh]
  • The Other Thomas – The Other Thomas  [“Diverse rock simultaneously retro and modern” – Larry]
  • The Restoration, Joseph Pt.2 – Neal Morse  [“Brilliantly constructed concept album” – Mick]
  • When It Rains – Taylor Armstrong [“A tenderness than connects deep in the soul” – Dave]
  • The Other Side – T Bone Burnett  [“The pacing, production composition… stunningly good” – John]
  • Somehow I Know It’s Love – Young Oceans  [“Vocal tenderness and lyrical intensity” – Kevin]
  • Message Songs – The Porter’s Gate  [“Brings Eugene Peterson’s The Message to life in song” – Garret]
  • Electric Chair – Eric Lee Brumley  [“Blazing vocals and masterful production” – Larry]
  • The Exile – Crowder  [“So many flavors – worship, hip hop, swamp rock, & Americana” – Dave]
  • Hard Truths – Dani Miché  [“Her vocals and story soar – a treat for your soul” – Jessica]
  • My Foundation – Jordan St. Cyr  [“Sets the mood for reflection, worship, & devotions” – Kevin]
  • Slow Parade – Gileah Taylor  [“Let these gentle sonics steep in your soul” – Josh]
  • Shades of Indigo – Zach Winters  [“These words and melodies transport me” – Dave]
  • The Pressing In – Eliza King  [“Reverent but not your typical worship/CCM music” – Larry]
  • Memory Salesman I – Daniel Harding  [“Enjoyable collection of rock, funk, & pop” – Garret]
  • Fellowship of the Broken – The Ascendents  [“Every bit as amazing as we expected” – John]
  • Songs From the Dark – Andrew Greer  [“Tender and prayerful throughout” – Dave]
  • Battlelands, Vol.2 – Ian Yates  [“Powerful mold-breaking sounds” – Mick”]
  • Mental Help – Josh Wilson  [“Brutally honest – full of angst and full of hope” – Larry]
  • For You – Daniel Yates  [“Heartbreaking exploration of grief and love” – Garret]
  • Downcast Souls / Expectant Hearts – Resound Worship [“An impressive double album” – Larry]

Best Songs of 2024(A)

  • “Common Courtesy” – The Arcadian Wild  [“Crisp harmonies and stellar instrumentation” – Dave]
  • “Time Don’t Last” – Aryn Michelle  [“Snapshots of family, children, changes, life, & death” – Larry]
  • “The Lord Will Make A Way” – Cole McSween  [“Tasty riffs and solid affirmations” – Garret]
  • “Anywhere” – The Gray Havens  [“Delightful spin on a Peter Pan reference” – Josh]
  • “Good Day” – Forrest Frank  [“The feel-good crank-up song of 2024 (so far)” – Dave]
  • “Somehow” – Young Oceans  [“Balm for my soul in these uncertain times” – Kevin]
  • “Only Love” – The Call  [“Rescued from the lost tapes – this one is a stunner” – John]
  • “God of Color” – Common Hymnal  [“Unapologetic celebration of the melanated Savior” – Larry]
  • “Rock My Soul” – Josh Garrels  [“Vertical lyrics set to a Caribbean groove” – Dave]
  • “Headlights Home” – Mat Kearney  [“Feels like the soundtrack of life” – Mick]
  • “If We Ever Get To Heaven” – Taylor Leonhardt  [“Grabs and gently squeezes your heart” – Josh]
  • “Do Not Worry” – Allie Murphy  [“A prayer song for when you face anxiety” – Larry]
  • “Fill My Cup” – Green River Ordinance  [“Foot-stomping tune brimming with gratitude” – Dave]
  • “Shadow” – Trulah  [“A timeless, clever, and moving song” – Garret]
  • “Keep Your Head Up” – Hannah Miller & Lori Chaffer [“Wow, caught me off guard” – John]
  • “Panic Attack in Hobby Lobby” – Justin Carlson [“Trivial ‘Christianese’ sayings are not helpful” – Larry]
  • “Eulogy” – Jon Foreman  [“He’s still asking big questions and sitting comfortably with doubts” – Josh]
  • “YBA” – The New Respects  [“An energetic anthem with their trademark rock-soul sound” – Dave]
  • “My Foundation” – Jordan St. Cyr  [“A yearning for more of God’s mercy and grace” – Kevin]
  • “Modern Temple” – Garden  [“This one deserves repeat listens” – Garret]
  • “Disjointed” – Katherine Perry  [“Unique song about chronic illness” – Larry]
  • “On Rocky Ground” – Johan Glidden  [“Love the lyrics and tasty mandolin” – Dave]
  • “Around the Sun” – Bradford Loomis  [“Amazing singer reaching a new emotional depth” – John]
  • “Blue Dreams” – Holly Arrowsmith  [“Poignant song on the stress of new motherhood” – Larry]
  • “Your Throne is Forever” – Colorvault (ft. A.Bishai)  [“Transcendent soundscape” – Garret]
  • “Keep Calm and Carry On” – Moon Bride  [“Power chords with an open hand to life” – Justus]
  • “Evil Kings” – Aryn Michelle  [“Don’t bow to anything interfering with your soul” – Larry]
  • “A Year Ago Yesterday” – Michelle Lynn Thompson  [“To honor a lost friend” – John]
  • “Vivo” – Anmily Brown  [“Faith-centered urban Brazilian hip-hop and funk” – Garret]
  • “Running Back To Love” – Russ Mohr  [“Catchy throwback soul sound” – Dave]
  • “Lights Out” – Benjamin Daniel  [“Peppy sonics and solid lyrical heights” – Josh]
  • “Make Believe” – My Epic [“Hard-hitting song on deep spiritual questions” – Larry]
  • “Learning to Let Go” – Kevin Quinn  [“Song of dependence with enjoyable beat” – Mick]
  • “Jack and Marie” – The Bowery  [“This track by on-the-rise Norwegian band impresses” – John]
  • “Loved!” – nobigdyl  [“This lofi hip hop gem will remind you of God’s unconditional love” – Dave]
  • “Electricity” – Megan Burtt  [“I stop what I’m doing to take this one in” – Garret]
  • “Summer Jubilee” – Gileah Taylor  [“Light & playful with retro sounds and lush strings” – Josh]
  • “Sinking Like A Stone” – St. Sinner Orchestra  [“A grand fusion of classical and rock” – Larry]

We hope these recommendations are a good guide to help you find the gems released in the first half of 2024.  Are there more out there? Of course – so feel free to share what you’d add to the list in the comment section.

Thanks to the help of our Critics Panel, we are able to offer some mid-year content out of this list of picks.  Episode 102 of the Gourmet Music Podcast is available now, and features some of the Best Albums picks.  Episode 103 of GMP (releasing around 7/19) will feature several of the Best Songs picks.  Also, an update to our Critics Picks Playlist is coming in mid-July.