Inspired by the words of Psalm 22 and her personal faith journey, Sarah penned “No Filter” alongside her friend, Savannah Locke, within thirty minutes. Her hope is that this track is a lifeline to those wrestling with their faith and a testament that doubt and faith can coexist, leading to a deeper understanding and experience of God’s mysterious ways. With an ambient beginning, Sarah asks honest questions whilst talking to God. “Sometimes When I pray I wonder if I’m talking to the ceiling? Sometimes when I sing a question, if this whole thing’s just a feeling? Who are you? Who am I? She answers by saying “If you want me here I am, no filters. With questions more than answers, you want me? Here I am.” Piano sounds add to the ambience of the whole thing, as Sarah declares “I wanna believe, I do. Help my unbelief.” As the title suggests, it’s a very vulnerable piece that I’m sure many will compare to their own lives. 8/10
Sarah Kroger brings a powerful new anthem to the Church with her latest single, “No Filter.” Inspired by the words of Psalm 22 and her personal faith journey, Sarah penned “No Filter” alongside her friend, Savannah Locke, within thirty minutes. Her hope is that this track is a lifeline to those wrestling with their faith and a testament that doubt and faith can coexist, leading to a deeper understanding and experience of God’s mysterious ways.
Sarah Kroger brings a powerful new anthem to the Church with her latest single, “No Filter.” Inspired by the words of Psalm 22 and her personal faith journey, Sarah penned “No Filter” alongside her friend, Savannah Locke, within thirty minutes. Her hope is that this track is a lifeline to those wrestling with their faith and a testament that doubt and faith can coexist, leading to a deeper understanding and experience of God’s mysterious ways.
ICF Worship’s latest single, “Undeserving (Ready For You)”, was born from a longing to redirect focus from personal desires to the recognition of God’s magnificence. It serves as a powerful anthem, crafted to guide the church in a deeply loving expression of gratitude to a God who gives unconditionally, despite our unworthiness.
This album was born from the intimate moments of an expanded group of creative women studying the Psalms together and writing music that embodies the freedom and vastness of God’s love. The women behind Daybreak hope to encourage the church and the world to move beyond beliefs toward action. The group consist of many top female artists, including Taylor Leonhardt, Savannah Locke and Jillian Edwards, who join together for ‘True Belonging’ – a song that welcomes people from all backgrounds and situations to join them. There’s a nice, modern, version of the old hymn ‘To God Be the Glory.’ Sometimes, these re-workings don’t mount to much, but this one is really good. The next track to make me sit up and take note was the acoustic ‘How Long.’ It has, almost, a monastic sound, and I found it very pleasing to the ears. Sarah Macintosh and Jess Ray join Locke for the beautiful ‘A Place for You,’ – “God is a house for you; where you can run; and there’s always enough; There is no fear inside; and you don’t have to hide; there’s only love; and there’s always enough.” Simple and true lyrics, together in a top class song. ‘Take Off Running’ is more of an uptempo number, while ‘Wondrous Things’ sounds like it was recorded live, singing around a parlour piano. Very sweet. There’s a singalong feel to ‘God is On Your Side’ and a poignant atmosphere as the lyrics rejoice in the Father, Son & Holy Spirit on ‘To Dwell as One.’ Overall, it’s a very nice collection of songs. 8/10.
On January 12, 2024,FAITHFUL releases their brand-new album Daybreak: Psalms of Action, born from the intimate moments of an expanded group of creative women studying the Psalms together and writing music that embodies the freedom and vastness of God’s love. The women behind Daybreak hope to encourage the church and the world to move beyond beliefs toward action.
The new album features artists Taylor Leonhardt, Jillian Edwards, Savannah Locke, Tamar Chipp, Sarah Kroger, Sandra McCracken, JJ Heller, Janice Gaines, Jess Ray, Leslie Jordan, Ginny Owens, Sarah Macintosh, and Rachael Lampa, with additional songwriting by Trilla Newbell, Ann Voskamp, Patsy Clairmont, Amanda Bible Williams, Lina Abujamra, Amanda Pittman, and Ruth Chou Simons.
Savannah Locke hopes churches bring these songs into their worship sets, allowing room for new voices to be heard. “I also hope people are drawn closer to the purpose of God for the church in this world and are moved to take action that promotes love and justice,” she said. She believes the song “True Belonging” is prophetic and timely as it calls people to live in humility and seek to understand before being understood, saying, “If we could embrace this attitude as the people of God, I think peacemaking would flourish.” Sarah Macintosh’s favorite song on the album is “Take Off Running” because, “It is lyrically fresh, melodically addictive, and when I listen to it, I feel like I have taken a deep deep breath. There is something, as a woman, to thinking that God and God’s love is a wide and open space that is safe for a woman to take off running within.”
FAITHFUL releases “A Place For You,” a mellow folk track led by Sarah Macintosh, Savannah Locke, and Jess Ray. Carrying their upcoming project’s mission of bringing the Psalms to life – specifically Psalms of action – their second single takes inspiration from Psalm 68:4-8 as an invitation to those feeling broken, weary, and afraid to come to God. A simple guitar introduction greets the listener before the gentle vocals kick in. I liked the way that the vocals took centre stage and weren’t usurped by the instruments. The song itself immediately won a place in my heart, due it’s simplicity and lovely chorus. “There is a place for you; God is a house for you; Where you can run; And there’s always enough. A delightful and touching song. 9/10.
FAITHFUL releases “A Place For You,” a mellow folk track led by Sarah Macintosh, Savannah Locke, and Jess Ray. Carrying their upcoming project’s mission of bringing the Psalms to life – specifically Psalms of action – their second single takes inspiration from Psalm 68:4-8 as an invitation to those feeling broken, weary, and afraid to come to God.
Lucy Grimble unveils her second single, “Shedding Skin,” an honest song prompted by the common human experience of self-reflection and the need to change. Finding a space between the hauntingly honest lyricism of Fiona Apple and an ethereal sonic backdrop echoing Radiohead, “Shedding Skin” is a moody, spiritual walk towards the Light.
FAITHFUL releases “A Place For You,” a mellow folk track led by Sarah Macintosh, Savannah Locke, and Jess Ray. Carrying their upcoming project’s mission of bringing the Psalms to life – specifically Psalms of action – their second single takes inspiration from Psalm 68:4-8 as an invitation to those feeling broken, weary, and afraid to come to God.
REVERE introduces their last single, “The Name of the Lord,” before the awaited release of their new live album. Written by Addison Bevere, Dwan Hill, and Mitch Wong, and led by the latter alongside LEELAND and May Angeles, this song centers on the majesty of the mystery of Christ. “The Name of the Lord” is the backbone on which the upcoming album was founded.
FAITHFUL‘s live album “Go And Speak” features recordings from the 2021 livestream event where members of the FAITHFUL community creatively shared God’s faithfulness to women throughout Scripture. The FAITHFUL Project is a collection of stories, music, lyrics, and art created and curated by many of today’s thought-provoking and influential female Christian artists and authors. ‘Go And Speak (Live)’ encourages women by inspiring them to spread the Gospel of Christ, just as they have been doing for millennia. Whether it is through song or deed, FAITHFUL remind us that we all have a voice in the Kingdom of God. The live album was recorded in intimate settings at Nashville’s Ocean Way Studios, as a group of artists gathered in the room singing along. ‘Go And Speak (Live)’ encapsulates the energy and excitement of what the Lord is doing in our time. Featured on the Today show, this unprecedented collaboration between artists and authors has led to a stunning collection of poetry and resonance through song.
Other artists involved on FAITHFUL‘s new album along with Amy Grant, Ellie Holcomb, Ann Voskamp, and Sarah Macintosh include Sandra McCracken, Ginny Owens, Leslie Jordan, Christy Nockels, Rachael Lampa, Kelly Minter, Savannah Locke, Sarah Kroger, Christa Wells, Tamar Chipp, Jess Ray, Janice Gaines, Trilla Newbell, and Taylor Leonhardt.
‘Spirit of God (Flame of Love)’ was written by New Life Worship’s Jon Egan and Micah Massey while their church was scattered due to lockdown. They would roam the empty sanctuary, worshipping and praying over the congregation who were dispersed all over the Pikes Peak region of Colorado. And it’s exactly in this context that the new single emerged. ‘Spirit of God (Flame of God)’ expands on the scene of the upper room in Acts 2 where the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and didn’t stay there but stepped into the divine dynamic to preach the Good News to those around them! “This hit us hard,” says Micah, “Too often, we see the Gift of the Holy Spirit as something to soak in and hoard to ourselves bu what we see with the disciples is something entirely different.” With this profound revelation, New Life Worship wrote a Holy Spirit song that incorporates the theme of mission and exalts the Spirit of Love that empowers us to be a people of Love: “even if our congregation was scattered throughout our community, our prayer was that we might be scattered in the power of the Spirit,” Micah adds. With the news of the heart-breaking raging conflict in Ukraine, we acknowledge ours and the Church’s need for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. ‘Spirit of God (Flame of Love)’ feels timely. New Life Worship crafted a song and prayer that reminds us of our dependency on the Spirit and inspires us to worship Him who is at work among us.
‘The Detour’ is a song marked by honest vulnerability. Led by Sarah Kroger, Christa Wells and Tamar Chipp from FAITHFUL, this single was inspired by the story of Elizabeth in the Scriptures, as Sarah shares: “I remember relating to her story so much… for years my husband and I have struggled to have children and the idea that it’s easier to not hope for something rather than to hope for it and be disappointed is relatable.” The authenticity demonstrated by the writers of ‘The Detour’ as well as its folksy warmth is a touching invitation to us all, whether in pain, need or uncertainty. “We often hear about the end of Elizabeth’s story when her hope was fulfilled. But we forget about all these years of probably dealing with hopelessness and shame and judgement from people around her,” Sarah continues. FAITHFUL penned a song that draws on the strength of those who have gone before us and reminds us that even though the Lord might not be taking us down the road we want to, in the timing that we want, we are safe to hope. Affirming this powerfully vulnerable narrative, Christa notes that “the real beauty is the process” and that “if we transferred that to life as a metaphor, we would probably enjoy the journey a lot more.”‘The Detour’ encourages us to trust the process of God’s working in our lives and in return, to become more present to the wonder of what He is doing in us through it. Adorned with soft harmonies and lyrics infused with Life and Hope, ‘The Detour’ is a song that doesn’t deny the hardship but reawakens promises and dreams in the middle of it.
You’ve been good to me; I am safe to hope
I will dare to believe when the way is long and slow
And I am full of doubt, but You are kind and close
I will trust the detour is the road– The Detour
Tim Timmons’ live album ‘HERE’ is releasing as a deluxe exclusive on Apple Music this week! The songs on ‘HERE (Live With Friends)’ are an encouragement to not work for Jesus, but walk with Him. Tim gathered some of the friends that have been by his side through life, for a night of worship, singing these prayers from a peaceful cabin turned studio by MercyMe.
Never for Nothing 