Welcome to UTR Media’s New & Notable for September 2024 covering releases from August 24 to September 27. There were so many excellent releases over the last month that we decided to give you an expanded edition featuring 20 recordings! So partake of this month’s abundance, and you will surely be rewarded. And continue to send us emails at utrsubmissions@gmail.com to share with us new music.

ALBUMS & EPs

EVERY KIND OF UH-OH – Charlie Peacock

The lyrics are layered, honest, and picturesque — which is no surprise from this 6x Grammy Winner. The lush production and warm Americana arrangements take these songs to a new stratosphere. SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

Scars to Prove It – Remedy Drive

This rock-infused release captures the battle for justice in the world around us and in our hearts. Filled with stories about David Zach’s work with the counter-trafficking movement Exodus Road, it is illuminating and powerful. SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

The Glad Surprise – Steve Bell

The glad surprise is that life cannot ultimately be conquered by death and on his new record, Steve Bell (with some contributions from Malcolm Guite) explores this theme and also encourages us to affirm that all people are made in God’s image and are beautiful. As always with Steve, you will enjoy a variety of musical styles and expertly written songs.     SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

Like Flowers in the Sun – Antoine Bradford

Tender soul singer/songwriter Antoine Bradford brings a collection of lovely intimate folk soul songs. We particularly enjoyed the end of the album which opened up to a more expansive soundscape that brought some musical drama to bring complexity to the beauty. Our favorite tracks include “Villain & Saint” and “Deliverer”. SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

As For Me – Trulah

Trulah’s latest EP features bold statements of faith in a subdued and sophisticated jazz setting. Take less than twenty minutes to feed your soul with the sounds of a voice and a heart sold out for the Lord. SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

American Gospel – Jon Guerra

A powerful and poignant EP filled with beautiful acoustic-guitar-based music and songs that remind us what we need today more than a great country is “Someone Like Jesus”. Every song has an important message that deserves your complete undistracted attention. SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

Childlike – John Mark Pantana & LOVKN

These artists became close friends and songwriting collaborators over a long tour with lots of time for developing ideas and now we know they were excellent ideas! The album Childlike brings a fresh childlike joy in the life and presence of God as our intimate father (Papa) with music that is, at times, reminiscent of early Jesus Music. SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

Facing Eden – Hope Newman Kemp

This is the album Hope Kemp needed to make. It reveals her many talents as an accomplished vocalist and an outstanding songwriter. Jeremy Casella’s production perfectly complements this very accessible jazz-inspired music. SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

Pixelated Haze – Dawson Hollow

A fully analog listening experience, Pixelated Haze delivers Dawson Hollow’s distinctive fiddle and retro rock sound, complete with stacked harmonies and plentiful melodic hooks. This family band just gets better and better. Recommended for listeners looking for lush live band textures and just great, feel-good songs, track after track. SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

We Are Not Machines – Ron Artis II

Though he’s been putting out exceptional music for years, Ron Aris II first got on our radar with his single “Revival” last year. Now we’re treated to an amazing eleven tracks of Funk and Soulful Rock with the album We Are Not Machines. The music is full of skill and energy, the vocals are passionately delivered, and the lyrics are catchy and thought-provoking. SPOTIFY_LINK  AMAZON_LINK

Scripture Hymnal  – Scripture Hymnal

Randall Goodgame wrote an entirely new hymnal (and yes, available as a hardcover book) of word-for-word scripture. A new collective of artists are releasing new recordings – and these are the first 5 songs. Wonderful for devotional meditations! SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

Night Visions: Psalms of Rest – The Faithful Project

What do you get when you combine over a dozen amazing female artists with a collection of serious female songwriters and ask them to highlight God’s faithfulness to women throughout scripture? You get The Faithful Project and Night Visions is the third and final album in this collection. This album will impress you with its beauty and thoughtful lyrics. Hopefully, we will see more collaborations from them!  SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

Not Here Yet – poems of grace

A unique album featuring elegant acoustic music with powerful and pristine vocals. The mood is worshipful and devotional, and the sparse instrumental accompaniment is perfect for the arc of the songs. SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

SINGLES

“I Don’t Know” – Ross King

During election season, this disarming song invites us to see the Image of God in one another. Timely, compelling, convicting, and filled with the raw pain of estranged relationships, Ross King shows himself to be a prophetic voice in Christian music. SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

“Comeback Wrecker” – John Van Deusen

Infectious driving beats and crunchy guitar riffs with lyrics that encourage us to be our vulnerable selves in our close relationships. SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

“Breakdown” – Coy Roy

Bo Rinheart’s ability to weave strikingly honest lyrics with anthemic melodies and stirring mixes strikes again. Breakdown is a song that will give you the courage to start again and believe that from rock bottom you can flourish. SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

“Run of the Mill Believer” – Aryn Michelle

This very personal song recorded with what is essentially a retro and engaging sound is inspired by Aryn’s Dad who was a pastor in the same church for 41 years. He said that he was in the work of raising up ordinary people to be disciples of Jesus.  It didn’t matter if they were super talented or famous as long as they had a heart to follow Jesus. SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

“You Didn’t Have To” – Michelle Lynn Thompson

This veteran Americana singer-songwriter is back with a new love song that will have your toes tapping and mouth smiling. SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

“Miracles” – Josh Lovelace

Best known for his work on the keyboard with NeedToBreathe, this solo release from Lovelace is a folk/rock journey about deconstruction, hope, and healing. A true delight in every sense. SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

“Gonna Be OK” – Abby Siler

What would life be without roll-down-the-windows-and crank-up-the-volume jams? This one will certainly brighten your day and put a spring in your step. SPOTIFY_LINK  YOUTUBE_LINK

MORE NEW MUSIC WE RECOMMEND

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Albums/EPs

Singles