NEW INTEGRITY MUSIC RELEASES – 23rd October 2020

Sarah Kroger is a Nashville-based, Catholic worship leader and songwriter who has been on an exciting journey of passionately leading worship for events around the world, drawing people from a variety of cultures and church backgrounds under the banner of Jesus for the past ten years. The artist’s passion is to create a safe and prayerful space through her music in which people can encounter the heart of God in a profound way. Sarah described her experience with new album ‘Light’ as “eye opening”. With it being her first album released through a label, she got to experience new facets of the Christian music community. Whereas her previous albums were crafted alongside Catholic writers, ‘Light’ got her collaborating with mainly protestant writers. The kindness, love and conversations shared through the whole process intertwined the experience of unity and vulnerability at the centre of this project. The album explores our self-awareness and relationship with God. It’s about understanding what leads us to the darkness and accepting the vulnerability of standing in the Light, where we get exposed and purified. With singles ‘Standing In Your Light’, ‘Belovedness’, ‘Monument’, ‘A Thousand Thank Yous’ and ‘Unbroken Family’, Sarah Kroger introduces a soundscape that mixes honesty with courage, pointing to the album’s encouragement of continually staying in relationship with the Lord. As a contemporary worship leader in the Catholic Church, she gives a new language to people’s relationship with Jesus – ‘Light’ is an inspiration to keep saying yes to vulnerability, intimacy and honesty.

Mission House release a stripped-back version of ‘Psalm 116 (I Love You Lord)’ initially introduced on their album ‘I Heard A Song I Can’t Ignore’ released in July. The creative delta formed by artists Jess Ray and Taylor Leonhardt collaborated with Andrew Peterson and his daughter Skye Peterson, adding magical harmonies to the meditative track. Mission House are crafting a new expression of folk-rock worship by combining their respective singer-songwriter sensibilities.

RESISTANCE release 4th single ‘À Lui Seul Soit La Gloire’ ft. Yann Kato. This song is a testimony to the greatness of our Almighty God inspired by Romans 11:34-35, “Who has known the mind of the Lord?Or who has been his counsellor?” Who has ever given to God,that God should repay them? For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”­ We can often give credit to a coincidence, our efforts, or our own strength when in reality all things flow from the grace of God. ‘À Lui Seul Soit La Gloire’ (To Him Alone Be All Glory) is an invitation to reconsider the goodness of God and to give Him the glory He is due. RESISTANCE is a movement involving various young singers and songwriters in the French speaking world. Dreaming of filling empty churches with the sound of prayer and worship again, founder and established musician Matt Marvane embraced humble beginnings and launched acoustic worship nights around the country, thriving into a dynamic, multifaceted experience today

For decades Vineyard Worship has been synonymous with profound modern worship music that has resonated within the Church and the wider culture. Songs such as “Breathe”, “Hungry”, “One Thing Remains” and many more are heard every week in churches all over the world.

Today more than ever, the songwriters and musicians at the core of this movement are creating some of the most compelling worship songs Vineyard Worship has ever seen. Discover Vineyard Worship: Kyrie Eleison is a reflection of this creative work and a statement that this God- inspired musical journey continues to be relevant and real. Featuring the vocals of Samuel Lane, Joshua Miller, Dana Masters, Tina Colón Williams and more, this album continues the legacy of this God- hungry group of worshippers guaranteed to draw the listener into the presence of God

NFN Review Zone – MISSION HOUSE : I Heard a Song I Can’t Ignore. (Integrity Music)

This is the first time I have heard of Jess Ray and Talyor Leonhardt  who are the creative force behind this Mission House Album “I Heard a Song I Can’t Ignore”. Their harmonies blending beautifully together and are a vocal marriage made in heaven. Within the first 19 seconds of the first track, even before the vocals kicked in, I knew I was going to love that track “Your Eyes See Me”. I was immediately reminded of the sounds and songs of Jill Phillips, then when the harmonies began, they create such a pure mesmerizing sound. Both artists have beautiful vocals. Jess Ray is from North Carolina and is a producer and singer-songwriter. She is also a multi-talented musician. On a previous album of hers “Sentimental Creatures”,  she features on many instruments ranging from trumpet to guitar. The music that Jess produces sits comfortably in two places, it is clearly spiritual and deeply real. Her songs are inspirational and uplifting full of hope and joy alongside our human reality.

Taylor Leonhardt was born and raised in Texas before moving to North Carolina. Throughout her childhood, Taylor had a great love for Country Music.  Her roots in country music have enabled her to establish and craft a sound uniquely her own. Her songwriting is soul-stirring, her lyrics accompanied by beautiful vocals will remind you of some of your favourite country artists, yet unique to Taylor. This whole album “I Heard a Song I Can’t Ignore” is a delight musically, vocally, and lyrically. I’m listening to the final track of this album now on Spotify, Psalm 116 being the final track on this soothing album. While writing this review and listening to this album it is a lovely way to start this (UK) bank holiday weekend. All the tracks are beautifully produced, and the vocals are so easy and pleasant to listen to. Some of the lines are repeated over and over again which seems to be a signature, but due to the melody changes, these repeats are so beautiful, powerful and relay such important truths. “When I called to you Lord You ran to me You ran to me”, the lyrics throughout this album are saturated with the truths of God, His love and care for us through all issues and circumstances of life. I love this album, give it a listen.   Vivienne Neville 10/10.