The depth and the quality of well-crafted faith-based music was strong this last year.  In fact, there might have been so much of it that it was difficult to keep up on all the new singles, EPs, and albums. Our critics had a wide variety of favorite individual tracks from 2024, and we are listing ALL the recommendations – in no particular order. When someone says there isn’t much good music right now, send them here. This is UTR’s list of the Best Gourmet Songs of 2024…

“Get Yourself Some“ – Charlie Peacock (“Showing people a pathway to their seat at the table of God”)

“Evil Kings” – Aryn Michelle (“A powerful anthem applicable to these days”)

“Memory Bank” – Drew & Ellie Holcomb (“A blend of Americana, folk, & pop that’s 100% great vibes”)

“Watchman“ – Josh Garrels (“Musical invitation to wait for God’s arrival with anticipation”)

“You“ – Taylor Armstrong (“Captures what it feels like to be dependent on God”)

“No Filter“ – Sarah Kroger (“A disarming and raw offering”)

“What I was Made For“ – Rend Collective (“An invitation to experience our heavenly purpose”)

“People Are Tender“ – Zach Winters (“Asks that we be gentle with others (and ourselves)”)

“Go Along” – Allie Crummy (“So much madness is the result of misinformation”)

“Jesus and Therapy” – Josh Wilson (“Powerful truths to help our darkest days”)

“Sound and Silence“ – Skye Peterson (“Describes the tension in waiting and listening for the voice of God”)

“Love You, Still” – Andrew Osenga (“Celebrates the power of God’s love through us for others”)

“We Are Love“ – Sixpence None the Richer (“We get an early Sixpence sound with a piercing solo at the end”)

“The Richest Man in the World” – Ben Rector (“A new singer-songwriter classic”)

“Reconstruct” – Stephanie Staples (“A musically impressive empathetic call to refocus our faith”)

“The Helpers“ – Paper Horses  (“Not only look for the helpers but seek to be the helpers”)

“Drowning In Nostalgia” – Mat Kearney (“A very singable song with introspective lyrics”)

“Sad Dads Club“ – Zane Vickery (“Relatable. Sad. Hopeful.”)

“Resting in the Lord“ – Jacob Early (“Invites us to trust God in the everyday moments of our lives”)

“Panic Attack in Hobby Lobby” – Justin Carlson (“Trivial “Christianese” sayings will not help you”)

“Beloved“ – Anchor Hymns (“Wholly truthful in its lyrics and vibrant in its musicality”)

“The Prodigal” – Josiah Queen (“Power anthem that will have your foot stomping”)

“Be The Cat”- Kylie Dailey (“This whimsical song reflects on why it’s good to be a cat”)

“Treetop Dream“ – Dawson Hollow (“A Surf-rock jam with an irresistible hook and a killer violin-soaked ending”)

“American Gospel“ – Jon Guerra (“A prophetic song calling out the American church”)

“Square One“ – Chris Renzema (“Calls us awake to the miracle of trusting a God bigger than ourselves”)

“I’m Alive“ – Paul Zach (“If JOY had a soundtrack, this song would be on it”)

“Summer Jubilee“ – Gileah Taylor (“A breezy throwback to the early days of rock & roll”)

“I Don’t Know” – Ross King (“A timely message to love even our crazy uncles”)

“Running Back to Love“ – Russ Mohr (“A song of encouragement with some serious bounce”)

“Sad (Vending Machine)“ – Jillian Edwards (“An emo-folk- singer/songwriter gem of a ballad”)

“The Glad Surprise” – Steve Bell (“Jazz-tinged music stating the love of Jesus is for all people”)

“Comeback Wrecker“ – John Van Deusen (“Unrelenting electric guitars of a young man chasing the next high”)

“On Rocky Ground” – Johan Glidden (“A superbly crafted song full of encouragement”)

“Even in Your Silence” – Emily McCoy (“Seriously haunting and gorgeous”)

“Breakdown“ – Coy Roy (“A powerful sonic experience debunking unhealthy principles of masculinity”)

“Amen” – Madison Ryann Ward (“World-class R&B vocals celebrate The Lord’s Prayer”)

“Damnation” – Charlie Peacock (“Prophetic and thought-provoking songwriting”)

“Blue Dreams” – Holly Arrowsmith (“Poignant depiction about being the mom of a newborn”)

“Amazed by You” – The Call (“80’s rockers come back album with solid hits”)

“My Foundation” – Jordan St. Cyr (“A powerful anthem full of comfort”)

“Jesus On A Cruise” – Benjamin Williams Hastings (“Portrays the absurdity of celebrity Christian culture”)

“Let It Rise” – Hope Newman Kemp (“A buoyant gospel call to action with outstanding vocals”)

“Deeply Human” – Gable Price & Friends (“Honest admissions for living life to the deepest”)

“Jordans” – Blessing Offor (“Soulful and well-produced track on God’s provisions”)

“Riptide” – Michelle Lynn Thompson (“Head-on collision with frustration, doubt, chaos”)

“The Lord Will Make a Way“ – Cole McSween (“Groove, horns, and sweet soulful vocals”)

“Let’s Go To Town” – Olwen Ringrose (“An upbeat song about friends needing friends”)

“What You’re Worthy Of” – Temitope (“A new voice worth listening to in worship circles”)

“Garden in Manhattan“ – Josiah Queen (“A prayer of surrender to be used by God however and wherever”)

“What Would’ve Changed“ – Addison Agen (“Challenges us to face the beautiful journey of the unknown”)

“Seek Hi Seek Lo” – Josh Garrels (“Signature vocals with 70s folk throwback sounds”)

“God of Color” – Common Hymnal (“An unapologetic celebration of the melanated savior”)

“A Four Chord Protest“ – Chris Renzema (“Feels like a personal manifesto against cynicism”)

“Call Us Yours” – Aryn Michelle (“A timely message to strengthen our faith”)

“Who We Are“ – Apollo LTD (“Living out of the truth of who God has made us”)

“Sinking Like A Stone” – St. Sinner Orchestra (“A grand and unique fusion of classical and rock music”)

“Disjointed” – Katherine Perry (“A unique and moving song about chronic illness”)

“Holy Trouble“ – Rend Collective (“A bold anthem cry, calling out oppression and evil disguised as religion”)

“Eulogy“ – Jon Foreman (“A song about faith reconstruction that sounds like a calming ballad”)

“Halfway to Your Heart” – Luke Bower (“Love the banjo, harmonica, & A+ lyrics”)

“The Morning Sun Above My House“ – Benjamin Daniel (“I’m suddenly transported to a carefree Saturday morning”)

“Original“- Claire Leslie (“A fun bop with a serious message about being yourself”)

“Empty Without You“ – nobigdyl (“A heartfelt tune honestly admitting where his strength comes from”)

“Good Day” – Forrest Frank (“The feel-good song of the year”)

“Why Do You Love Me“ – John Van Deusen (“Wrestles with the idea of being loved despite our failures”)

“Garden“ – Modern Temple (“Probably the grooviest summation of the Gospel that you’ll ever hear”)

“Pick Me Up Pick Me“ Up – Ron Artis II  (“a scorcher of a jam – you won’t be able to sit still”)

“Cup is Full” – Green River Ordinance (“Fun but meaningful song brimming with gratitude”)

“Somehow” – Young Oceans (“A prayer and balm for my soul in this uncertain time we live in”)

“Final Rescue Attempt“ – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (“A cinematic experience that taps into the human condition”)

“Vivo“ – Anmily Brown (“You don’t need to speak Spanish for this banger to catch your attention”)

“Hello Hallelujah” – Blitzen Trapper (“Cryptic and borderline psychedelic Gospel imagery”)

What were some of your favorite individual tracks of 2024? Share below.  And don’t miss EP.108 of the Gourmet Music Podcast (coming mid-February) for a highlight of many of the songs on this list.