Welcome to New & Notable for 2025! This January edition covers releases from January 1 to January 24. We will continue to highlight new music each month for you to explore. Your emails sent to utrsubmissions@gmail.com really help us to know about new and important music.

ALBUMS & EPs

I Carry The Flame – Chris Taylor

Veteran artist Chris Taylor has a deep catalog but this might be his most complete and finished work. This record fires on all cylinders from the first notes to the final beat. Everything – the songwriting, the layered production, the musical details will impress you. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

Memory Bank – Drew and Ellie Holcomb

It seems hard to believe but this is the very first album by Drew and Ellie Holcomb. A record of personal reflections on the ups and downs of life with a wonderful variety of Americana-based music including some cool harmonies. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

Translucent – The Choir

Beautiful and atmospheric, Translucent is the secret ambient album that The Choir has been working on in the background for the past several years and just released as an unannounced surprise – and it is GORGEOUS. The ten-track album is available through their website, Bandcamp, and streaming. [BANDCAMP LINK] [SPOTIFY LINK]

III – Red Hands

Blending gospel-tinged soul, infectious funk rhythms, and uplifting faith-based messages, this new EP by Red Hands flows from song to song in step with God’s grace. The band’s tight musicianship and rich harmonies create an irresistible energy, showcasing their unique ability to seamlessly fuse spirituality with groove. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

Psalms 1-5 – Sower

Sower’s latest EP offers a refreshing take on the Psalms, setting Psalms 1-5 to electric guitar-driven alternative rock. With raw emotion and dynamic instrumentation, each track feels both timeless and modern, appealing to fans of word-for-word scripture songs. This collection is a gem for those seeking authentic and creatively crafted worship in an increasingly rare genre. [SPOTIFY LINK]

Evergreen – Strings and Heart

It’s an upbeat EP that is at times acoustic-based rock and at times straight-ahead full-throttle rock and feels more Springtime or Summer than a Mid-Winter release, not what I would expect if you told me ‘family band’ but these guys were touring with Josiah Queen last year! We’re looking forward to more from these guys. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

Seen (Acoustic Session) – Naomie Celeste

This is a fantastic EP full of emotion with strong soulful vocals that have something of an old Motown feel. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

When Words Fall Short 3.0 – Ri-An

When you want some nice instrumental music in the background while you work. Lo-fi beats and drifting melodies with some jazz-like drums with brushes, piano, and sax. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

SINGLES

“Be Love” – Common Hymnal

From Common Hymnal: More than ever we need to be reminded of the way of Jesus, where showing love to the widow, the orphan, the foreigner, and the disenfranchised are priorities.  Enjoy the great music and take heed of the message. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

“I Wish You Could Have Known Her (Grandmother)” – Geryah Dingle

An upbeat rocking Americana ode to Geryah’s Grandmother with moving and personal lyrics. She was someone who experienced a lot but remained strong and faithful.  It’s a beautiful testimony about a lovely person. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

“Flying Dutchman” – Sam Bowman

As the next installment in his ongoing concept album Atlas, Sam Bowman’s newest song seamlessly blends orchestral and synthetic textures while ruminating on the need for Jesus’s strength to comprehend the length, width, height, and depth of His love. With the heart of a folk singer-songwriter wrapped in indietronica, the track feels like it was plucked from the emotional core of a movie soundtrack. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

“Here I Am” – Drakeford

Clever, honest, and personal songwriting, beautiful harmonies, and exquisitely performed music are what we expect from Drakeford and this hits the mark perfectly.[SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

 “Say So” – Russ Mohr, Royce Lovett

A simple and important message with an upbeat R&B + Hip-Hop sound: “If you love somebody say so!” We need a lot more of this. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

MORE NEW MUSIC WE RECOMMEND

Click on the title for YouTube

Albums/EPs

Singles