The New & Notable for August 2025 covers releases from July 25 to August 21. We take great pleasure in sharing with you outstanding new releases each month from a variety of artists, and this month is no exception. Your emails to utrsubmissions@gmail.com provide us with many new artists and recordings to consider. Thank you!

ALBUMS & EPs

Gravitas – Common Hymnal

Common Hymnal’s overriding theme has been Praise and Protest, and this album of powerful modern gospel soul music gathers ten songs released in 2024-2025, following that theme. As is typical for Common Hymnal, there are various artists contributing, and they are all top quality. The music and the topics will challenge you in a necessary way for today’s difficult atmosphere. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

Hold The Light – Andrew Osenga

Carve out an hour, mute notifications on your phone, sit down, put your headphones on, queue up the album, and close your eyes as you press play. Imagine you’ve just booked Andrew Osenga for a house show in your living room. This is what we’ve been given with his new album Hold The Light – 12 beautiful acoustic renditions of some of his favorite songs that he’s written. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

FOX PALMER ZACH – Paul Zach, Jessica Fox, iAmSon

Clocking in under 18 minutes and only having 7 songs, this fantastic EP will leave you wanting even more. This trio does an amazing job bringing a classic sound to some classic songs. The instrumentation is solid, but it’s the vocals with their amazing harmonies that really shine! [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

Oasis For My Soul – Strings and Heart

This EP pairs music that sounds like a playful summer bop with lyrics that reveal an earnest faith and devotion. And the result is fun & thought-provoking and sure to have you singing along. Take a listen and hear why Strings and Heart are worth keeping an eye on! [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

100 Times Around The Sun – Guy Sebastian

It has been four years since this Aussie soul/pop singer released an album, and 1000 Times Around The Sun has been worth the wait. This joy-filled record is anthemic, touching on themes of maturing in life, faith, and marriage. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

SINGLES

“Give Me Your Hand” – Ellie Holcomb

Ellie’s latest offering gives voice to those of us who feel isolated, vulnerable, and unsure. “Give Me Your Hand” is equally sweet as it is powerful, showing us the face of a God who dwells in the unknown with us. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

“Red Cord (Rahab)” – Aryn Michelle

Aryn’s unique ability to capture the essence of Biblical heroes in her music is unmatched – and this latest take on Rahab is no different. A gutsy, alternative, and compelling song, this should make you excited for her forthcoming album. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

 “Fall In Love” – Carolyn Arends

We are always excited when Carolyn Arends releases a new recording. Her latest release is a song based on a lovely poem by Fr. Joseph P. Whelan, and the message is one we all need today. Carolyn got together with Roy Salmond, her long-time collaborator, and they produced some beautifully ideal music for the theme. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

“Here’s to the Almosts” – Rachel Morley

Rachel Morley delivers a beautifully quiet and intimate single that feels like a whispered confession as it reflects on the bittersweet “what could have been” moments in life. With a tender mix of gratitude and sorrow, Morley holds space for both heartbreak and healing, ultimately finding peace in letting go.[SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

“I Had A Dream” – Lily Hooten

Floating with an ambient, indie warmth, “I Had a Dream” feels both spacious and deeply personal. It’s Jesus music without the usual formulas—an honest singer-songwriter approach that makes the truth of the gospel feel near and real. An artist to watch who knows how to wrap heartfelt lyrics in a dreamy atmosphere. [SPOTIFY LINK] [YOUTUBE LINK]

“The God I Met in Albuquerque” – Allie Crummy

Allie Crummy has impressed us with her songwriting prowess, and once again, she delivers. The Bible states that God reveals Himself through His creation, and that is the theme here. The acoustic-oriented music is elegantly produced and a very satisfying listen. We recommend digging into her whole catalog. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

“a light in me” – Jervis Campbell

This folk tune is a bop, but it quickly becomes apparent that the melody acts as a rhythm of prayer. Jervis weaves the present pain and hope we have in Christ masterfully in this tune. [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

“REVIVAL!” – nobigdyl, KB

“REVIVAL!” bursts with energy, showcasing nobigdyl. and KB at the absolute top of their game. The track is a masterclass in razor-sharp wordplay and effortless flow. Their chemistry is electric, trading lines that are both spiritually rich and ridiculously clever. A personal favorite: “I’m runnin’ to God / I cannot look back, I ain’t watching my sodium, okay? / Whole lot of Paul / I do not mean Logan, I’m in Thessalonians, okay?” [SPOTIFY LINK]  [YOUTUBE LINK]

MORE NEW MUSIC WE RECOMMEND

Click on the title for YouTube

Albums/EPs

Singles