Our New & Notable for July 2025 covers releases from June 20 to July 24. As always, we are privileged to share some wonderful new music with a wide variety of styles, with incredible songwriting. We encourage you to take some quality time to listen to this quality music. Thank you for all the emails sent to utrsubmissions@gmail.com. We read them all!

ALBUMS & EPs

The Call – Liz Vice

The Call is a soulful, slow-burning blend of gospel, R&B, and rich, meditative music. It simmers with a quiet conviction. With a deep, earnest voice, Vice explores the journey of responding to Jesus’ call—overcoming fear, seeking justice, and stepping into purpose. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

Frontline – Anna Palfreeman

When Anna’s young son was diagnosed with cancer, she sat down at a piano and began to express her feelings in songs, initially meant just for her. Fortunately for us, she decided to share these songs. You will be impacted by this heart-wrenching, unfiltered, honest music, with stirring emotional vocals, especially if you have had a similar experience. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

The Way of Love – Tenielle Neda

The Way of Love is a tender, scripture-rich acoustic offering that meditates deeply on biblical passages about love. With delicate instrumentation and gentle, heartfelt vocals, Neda creates a space for reflection and spiritual stillness. Special guests Eliza King, Jon Guerra, Rothbury, and Nick Chambers add depth and texture to the album’s contemplative tone. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

 Falcon, Trio Live – Phil Madeira

The extremely prolific Phil Madeira has blessed us with two releases this month. Falcon is a collection of all-new originals, and he never disappoints with his outstanding songwriting and arrangements. Trio Live is essentially a best-of Madeira offering recorded live with his piano-based trio. Both releases are filled with memorable and varied styles of music. Falcon [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]  Trio Live [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

All Shall Be Well – Good Shepherd Collective

This NYC-based artist collective brings so much spirit, groove, and soul to this new project! Featuring Liz Vice, Dee Wilson, Jayne Sugg, Son of Cloud, and Charles Jones, the album will have you moving. So glad these folks continue to work together like this. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

One Long Year – St. Sinner Orchestra

Greg Scheer’s St. Sinner Orchestra boasts a unique yet highly accessible sound. He is a master at composing string arrangements that complement the rock music he records. These are not background strings but truly essential to the overall sound. As to the content of this album, it is the fictional account of a relationship in trouble that, unfortunately, foretold the breakup of his marriage, which is chronicled in the Synonyms for Goodbye album. Serious topics presented with thoroughly enjoyable music. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

Capsized Empire – Rusty Shipp

A boatload of great grunge-soaked songs from the captains of nautical rock! Drop anchor and listen to the full album in one sitting, and find out why this crew was the first independent artist to win artist of the year and album of the year back in 2018 at Jesus Freak Hideout. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

Where to Next? – Evie Loose

Nice to hear this EP from a debut artist out of Cardiff in the UK. Solid, nicely recorded pop sounds, well produced by Dan Stirling, and an overall excellent statement of her faith journey. We’re looking forward to hearing more from her. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

I LOVE IT WHEN YOU SMILE – Will Reagan

Will Reagan’s new album blends alternative folk with beats, synths, horns, and spoken word in a rich, heartfelt soundscape. Inspired by life with his wife and young children, it’s an adventurous and imaginative reflection on growing, stumbling, and loving together. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

Wild Child – Franni Cash

Best known as the former lead singer of We The Kingdom, Cash’s debut EP is a delight to behold. A blend of folk and CCM, her tenacity shines through lyrically as she side-steps worship for whimsical yet honest storytelling. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

SINGLES

“Come Back To Me (Father’s Song)” – Chris Renzema

We’ve all heard the story of the Prodigal Son, and now Renzema shares the story of his father. Beginning heartfelt and folksy and then turning into a homecoming anthem, the brass section and percussion are immaculate. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

“Modern Constantine” – Adam Whipple

This Knoxville songwriter is back with clever storytelling lyrics about the human tensions with greed, power, and tribalism. The tasty slide guitar, spot-on harmonies, and front-porch percussion pull the listener in. This is a gem for fans of Americana music, [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

“Walk, Child” – Ashley Sykes

Foot stomping bluesy Americana music with powerful vocals inspired by Te-lah-nay, a young indigenous woman who was forced to leave her home in North Alabama by the government and walk the Trail of Tears to Oklahoma. Being away was killing her inside, so she travelled for five years alone, mostly at night, back to Nu-Nah-Say, the Tennessee River, the river that sang to her in Alabama. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

“Wild Love” – Rend Collective

Inspired by the works of CS Lewis, this is a welcome take on the untameable nature of God – a la Aslan. Incorporating Irish sounds with driving guitar, this is powerful and anthemic. I need Netflix to use this in the trailer for Greta Gerwig’s take on The Magician’s Nephew, stat. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

“Steam Engine” – River & Rail

An original, creative folk duo, Americana music at its finest, with gorgeous, captivating vocals. The recording captures the feeling of a steam engine so beautifully that you can actually picture it. Look for an album release from River & Rail this September. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

“If The Cellphones Died” – Sully Bright

A clever and amusing acoustic song with pleasant vocals, charming music, and a challenging message. What would you do? [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

MORE NEW MUSIC WE RECOMMEND

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Albums/EPs

Singles