Every summer for the last seven years, I’ve released a list of quality Christian artists who I think should be on your radar (and playlists), if they aren’t already (see my lists from 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024). I aim to select artists who are unapologetically Christian, making music that’s sincerely faith-driven but also musically interesting and excellent. It’s that time of year again, and I’m excited about the 15 artists on this year’s list. They represent various musical styles and come from all over the world. Some have been making music for a while; others are just starting out. When you look at the creativity and authentic faith on display in the music of these artists, it’s easy to see why Christian music is surging in popularity globally. As usual, I selected a sampling of songs from each of the featured artists (listed alphabetically below) and compiled them in a playlist available on Spotify and Apple Music. If you like what you hear, support these artists by following them on social media, streaming their music, and attending their concerts. Austin Joyce South Carolina–based rapper Austin Joyce has been on my radar for a couple of years, and I find him to be one of the freshest young artists in Christian hip-hop. His songs cover the ups and downs of life in raw, relatable ways, but with a worshipful, God-centered bent that’s redemptive and sincere. Songs to sample: “War with God,” “Don’t Let Me Go,” “Never Be the Same,” “Paradox” Calah Mikal Songs from longtime worship leader Calah Mikal have popped up in my Spotify playlists with increasing frequency of late—typically a good indication of a rising talent. The Tennessee-based singer-songwriter consistently produces lovely devotional music, sometimes with notable collaborators like Taylor Armstrong or Chris Renzema. Check out her 2025-released EP, Lost Without You. Songs to sample: “Undress My Heart,” “Safe with You,” “Eyes of the Father,” “Higher Love” Constanza Herrero Chilean-Australian indie songwriter Constanza Herrero has an eclectic, Latin jazz-folk sound that matches her globe-spanning journey. Now dividing her time between Los Angeles and the United Kingdom, she’s working on a Kickstarter-funded full-length album, Home. The first single was a runner-up in TGC’s 2024 “What Is the Gospel?” song contest. Songs to sample: “Home,” “Felicidad,” “Me Voy,” “New Self” Cross Gray I first took note of Cross Gray with his stunning rendition of “Come Thou Fount,” which he released in 2019 and which I’ve included on countless playlists. Since then, the Louisiana-based artist has consistently released solid tracks and is working on a debut album. Mixing folk/acoustic and dreamy synth-pop, his layered, eclectic sound evokes Bon Iver. Songs to sample: “Fill My Cup Again,” “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” “Above and Below,” “Hopesick” DC3 Arguably the biggest name in the United Kingdom’s Christian rap scene right now, 18-year-old DC3 is following the now-familiar script of social media momentum fueling a meteoric rise. With Zimbabwean heritage, the pastor’s kid combines gospel, rap, and jazz sounds in a unique blend that absolutely vibes. As he’s producing music like this at such a young age, I look forward to seeing where DC3 goes from here. Songs to sample: “I Know,” “Upstairs,” “Wanna Be,” “Seek” Delaney Young One of the six winners of TGC’s song contest, Delaney Young is a Chicago-based indie artist who has recently opened concerts for the likes of Jon Guerra and Andy Squyres. A Wheaton College grad, Young has a mellow folk style enriched by thoughtful devotional lyrics and musical variety. Songs to sample: “As I Am,” “Yet,” “Psalm 77,” “Into Your Hands” Dell Mac I discovered Dell Mac because of JERICHO, his new collab EP with another featured artist on this list, Gio. With a smooth voice and soulful vibe, Dell’s sound evokes Frank Ocean and sets a worshipful tone. Check out his 2023 EP, Back to You. Songs to sample: “Eyes on You,” “Oxygen,” “So Beyond,” “Touched By You” Free As a Bird A worship collective based in the Pacific Northwest, Free As a Bird typically involves collaborations with Gretyl Baird, whose other project is a folk duo with her husband (Handsome and Gretyl). I enjoy Free As a Bird’s rootsy-folk sound, combined with lyrics steeped in Scripture or hymn texts. Lovely stuff. Songs to sample: “I Lift My Eyes Up,” “Above All,” “Ephesians 4:26–27,” “Proverbs 18:10” Gio. Boston-raised Gio. is on his way to becoming a Forrest Frank–level success story in the Christian pop/hip-hop hybrid genre. His music is fun, original, youthful, and God-glorifying—it’s no surprise that organic social media success launched him to the stratosphere of a major record deal last year. He’s part of the current Gen-Z vibe shift toward earnest joy over anxious angst. Songs to sample: “Jericho Walls,” “Masterpiece,” “Mess It Up,” “Amen!” Graham Jones Texas-based Graham Jones is a worship leader and singer-songwriter whose songs intersect with Scripture and theology at every turn, even as they capture poetic imagery and melodic longing in the vein of Andrew Peterson or Caroline Cobb. One of Jones’s songs, “When I Fall Down,” was a runner-up in TGC’s song contest. Check out his latest album, Eyes Renewed. Songs to sample: “O How the Grace of God Amazes Me,” “When I Am Afraid (Psalm 56),” “When I Fall Down,” “Grateful” Nick Chambers Atlanta-based Nick Chambers, who has also made music under the moniker Incarnation Music, is a talented singer-songwriter in the vein of Jon Guerra or Paul Zach. I loved his 2022 EP, Great Cloud, a collection of songs inspired by the prayers of Christians across history. But his recently released full-length album blew me away. One of the best Christian albums of the year. Songs to sample: “My Heart Is Restless (Augustine of Hippo),” “A Sweeter Word,” “Eighth Day,” “It Is Good to Be Here with You” Nick Smith The mellow, soulful, smoky lounge-music vibe of Nick Smith’s sound is refreshingly unique in Christian music. When applied to stripped-down praise melodies, it’s haunting. Smith’s contemplative takes on familiar worship songs are brilliant, as are his original songs like “In Three Days Time,” one of the six winning songs from TGC’s song contest. Songs to sample: “In Three Days Time,” “Cast Your Cares,” “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus,” “He Is Lord” Sondae Sondae, based in the United Kingdom, has a sound that feels like the future of Christian music. A fusion of hip-hop, R&B, lofi, Afrobeats, and indie folk, the twentysomething artist’s music is authentic and devotionally rich. Check out his 2024 album, Pilgrim’s Road, and be blessed by a versatile musical vibe and a faith-building experience. Songs to sample: “Elohim,” “Perfect Peace,” “Sun Rises,” “Brighter Day” Strings and Heart Hailing from Tucson, Arizona, indie rock trio Strings and Heart is made up of three brothers: Angelo, Michael, and Eric Espinosa. Like others on this list, the Espinosas found success through social media, especially their viral hit “Flowers Dressed in Blue”—a catchy, rockin’ tune that communicates beautiful truth. Their music is upbeat and has a fresh, freewheeling West Coast rock sound that defies CCM categorization. I’m excited to hear what they do next. Songs to sample: “Love You to Death,” “Dopamine,” “Empty Airport,” “Flowers Dressed in Blue” Weston Skaggs A worship leader and singer-songwriter from Northeast Ohio, Weston Skaggs is a talented purveyor of what he calls “experimental-folk gospel tunes.” To understand what that sounds like, check out Skaggs’s new release, a six-song hymns album called Though It Be a Cross. The “indie-folk hymns” genre is nothing new, but this collection takes it to another artistic level. Songs to sample: “Nearer My God to Thee,” “No Not One,” “Wonderful Grace of Jesus,” “Rich Man” Artists Highlighted in My Previous ‘Quality Christian Music’ Lists 2024 Luke Bower Jimmy Clifton Aaron Cole Coquí Benjamin Daniel Forrest Frank From the Ground Up Dwan Hill iAmSon Praise Lubangu Marizu Joseph O’Brien Josiah Queen Saint Augustine’s Music Domas Žeromskas 2023 Anchor Hymns Joel Ansett Victory Boyd Bridge Music CalledOut Music Kyle Church Candace Coker Fyr Fytr Hey Barnabas! Sam McCabe Ethan Nathaniel Anna Palfreeman Skye Peterson The Soil and the Seed Project sxxnt. Madison Ryann Ward 2022 Kelsey Breedlove Will Carlisle Colorvault Cortes Elias Dummer Davy Flowers Garden Friend Land of Color Joshua Leventhal Limoblaze Mr. and Mrs. Garrett Soucy James Paek PEABOD Leslie Perez Pyramid Park Tekoa TEMITOPE 2021 Darla Baltazar Former Ruins Gable Price and Friends Ellie Holcomb Hulvey IMRSQD JUDAH. Eliza King Taylor Leonhardt Lovkn Maverick City Music Phil J. Bear Rinehart Sharyn Andy Squyres Yaz Williams 2020 Montell Fish Jon Guerra Claudia Isaki Loud Harp Cole McSween Medical Morning Sajan Nauriyal Tenielle Neda Jonathan Ogden John Mark Pantana The Pharaoh Sisters Chris Renzema Sarah Sparks Trulah John Van Deusen 2019 Antoine Bradford CityAlight The Corner Room Greg LaFollette Hallowell Isla Vista Worship Jess Ray Josh Gauton Latifah Makuyi Parallel Stereo Psallos Russ Mohr South of Royal Zambroa