News

I’m not sure how most IVM readers feel about new wave and synth-driven music. It’s extremely nostalgic for me, having grown up in the 80s. The 1980s also comprised the decade where contemporary Christian music came into its own as a marketable industry. While you could argue the merits of that, or against them, it’s a simple fact. But where there is ‘progress’ or marketability (read: money), there will also always be an undercurrent–an independent protest against the mainstream. Marc Plainguet–and his alter egos Gadget and Crazed Bunnyz–were spearheading lo-fi and experimental synth-driven music in the underground tape-trading scene.… Continued →

Charlotte, NC wordsmith Andy Squyres has released a lyric video for his must-hear track “Dead Horse”. This track is rife with lament and worship all the same and is a great example of why I’ve clung deeply to Squyres’ songs this year. His lyrics avoid clichés on both extremes – this is far from CCM, but it does not wallow in self-pity. Other suggested tracks to check out include “The Pestle and the Mortar”, “Unanswered Prayers”, “Cherry Blossoms”, and “Before You God”.   … Continued →

With a name like Knuckle Sucker, one may not be quick to think that they would be a faith based band, but they sure are and unabashedly so! FFO: Loose End, Pocket Change, Preach it Ray Ray!, Relient K, Slick Shoes, and MxPx.

One of my all time fave releases, Lemonade, was from a band released by the defunct R.E.X. Music. Forming circa 1993, the 4 band members had changed their name from Leaderdogs to add For The Blind. They blew Christian indie music lovers away with an industrial/hard rock hybrid with iconic songs such as Yellow & Black Attack (no, not the Stryper album!), Better Ways, Ripple & Supersaturated. They followed up with The Resurrect Me EP that included other the greats Pollinate & Lie You Buy. Then, boom, that was it.… Continued →

Facedown Records indie rock band Weathered’s first & latest single Quick Tempered from their upcoming album lyrical content is simply some of the most profound lyrics that I’ve seen in a while. They seem to align with my favorite Bible verse that I have tattooed on my arm. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Here are the lyrics up until the bridge.… Continued →

Unbeknownst to me, apart from a Facebook post, I’ve been writing for IVM for four years now. That’s long enough to get a college degree, or a Master’s. And in some ways, that time feels like a drop in the bucket. In other ways, it has been stressful, tense, uncertain, even insurmountable at times. But in the midst of that, there have been pockets of joy, wonder, and passion. I got to tour with American Arson. I’ve had reviews shared by Facedown Records. I’ve covered bands that got big; elsewhere, I helped put a few artists on the map.… Continued →

Trulah has released an incredibly relevant, captivating song. Pairing jazz and soul with sentiments about the world’s blindness to unfolding spiritual realities, “Sing of the Times” is at once comforting and convicting. The track borrows themes from apocalyptic literature (wars and rumors of wars, the great apostasy), placing the audience in the middle of this uncomfortable reality: many are asleep, and narrow is the path to life. We have a responsibility to keep the faith and plead with the faithless. Of course, it’s an entrancing track in terms of overall sound as well – making this a very unique song, one that demands to be heard for its urgent message.… Continued →

Rackets is the best shock rock band imho with loyal fans called Therapy Patients. Led by vocalist Kandy Kane (Kiffany), they have definitely had a controversial impact on the Christian music industry & have been repeatedly listed as sounding akin to Marilyn Manson. Starting out in 1994, they formed under the name Human Soup. Many years have passed & they have released recent music more akin to their first 2 albums. The first was released under the moniker of A Violent System with this new one back to Rackets & Drapes.… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• 2 Minute Minor – Stand for Something or Fall for Anything (EP)
• Chaotic Resemblance – Unto the Lamb
• Collision of Innocence – Sorrows End
• Dawnbreaker – Vanquished Horrible Night
• Diamonds to Dust – Corpus Christi
• The Midnight Wedding – Set Me Free
• Northern Flame – Sanctification of the World
• Talkie – look at me
• Weathered – In This World

Pop & CCM

• About A Mile – Godless America
• After Grace – Forever Home
• The Brilliance – Hurricane
• Common Courier – At the Table
• The Complete Fiction – Things Are Looking Up
• Future Of Forestry – We Can’t Breathe
• Gabriel Conte – Los Angeles
• GALLERY – Beacon (Radio Edit)
• The Gray Havens – Forever / / Autumn Sessions
• Greg Attwells – So Crazy
• Jamie Grace – Normal
• JJ Heller – Impossible
• Joel Vaughn – It’s Okay
• Mary Ives – Is There Anybody Out There
• Tom Read – Dead Things to Life (Live)
• Tyler Batts – Falling In
• Xandria Cross – Marionette
• Wake Low – Wake Low

Electronic

• Edu Linares – Is Now
• God’s Warrior – Honor Jesus
• Jeremy James Whitaker – I’m a Mess (Buryme James Whitaker Remix)
• JSteph – I’m Sorry (Sam Bowman Remix)
• Man Cub – In A Dream (Remixes)
• Neon Beach – Countdown
• Roberto Rosso – Freedom (Radio Mix)

Folk & Singer/Songwriter

• Allie Crummy – Balance
• The Arcadian Wild – Fall: War
• Becca Jordan – Autumn Gold
• Madison Cunningham – Wednesday (EP)
• Thomas Austin – Someday

Hip Hop & R&B

• Aha Gazelle – 180 (Chopped NOT Slopped)
• Ahchwan – Trapped-N-Truth
• Aklesso – Popular
• Alphein – Hold On
• Andrew Puckett – Fight
• Avila – Love Lust
• Beleaf – My Father’s Business
• BigGucciDame – Memories to the Future
• B-Shock – Rise and Shine EP
• B-Shock – Sing Thru It All
• Caleb Gordon – elev8
• Christ Is King – Real Slow
• Christ Jr – One Way
• Chxsen – Highs & Lows
• Collinthekid – Hvnly Glow
• CS LIT – CD-R
• Darrell Dominic – Polarized
• Datin – Who Do You Believe?

… Continued →

There used to be a fairly well-known release formula for SF59. Step one: release full-length album. Step two: release EP of similar material within the following year (or even later that same year). While the formula has been tweaked over the years, it still more or less holds. Whereas She’s the Queen was the counterpart to Silver, Miami functions that way for Young in My Head. Although there are some stylistic—and more noticeably, lyrical—differences, any of these songs probably could have been on Young in My Head.… Continued →

Listen: Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Lyrics:… Continued →

for King & Country have just released their Christmas album titled “A Drummer Boy Christmas” featuring a bunch of songs that are classics redone in their style as well as some originals. Click here for their youtube channel to watch a series of lyric videos for the album which serve as a film of sorts. Click below for their tour dates to finish out the year as well as a music video.… Continued →

Love and Death have just dropped the biggest tease ever which builds upon years of anticipation for new music. Check it out below. Date is 11.13.2020. What does it mean? Rob J. and I have the answer (we think) to this mystery but we can’t share just yet. (Please excuse the 7 year old pic).… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• 09 x Matty Mullins – Masquerade
• Aaron Ray – In My Blood
• Barry Blair – Down in the Lowlands
• Gable Price and Friends – You Are My Country
• Last Year’s Model – Rondé Vous
• Living Scars – Without Me
• My Epic – Lower Still
• Nine Lashes – Follow
• Odds of an Afterthought – The Truth Will Set You Free but First It Will Piss You Off
• Paradise Now – Lockdown Mixtape (EP)
• The Protest – Greater
• Shelbi – Rocket Science (EP)

Pop & CCM

• Amy Grant – Unguarded (Re-Release)
• Andrew Marcus – No Reason to Say Goodbye
• Alisa Turner – Run for Your Life
• Ben Fuller – Town Called Grace
• Ben Laine – 12
• Caitie Hurst – At All Times (EP)
• Chris Howland – Dreamworld
• Coby James – Homesick (EP)
• David Dunn – Perspectives (Deluxe)
• DOE – DOE (EP)
• Ernstly Etienne – Jericho 
• Frankie Orella – While My Guitar Gently Weeps | Help!

… Continued →

Not like they ever disappeared but new music on The Echoing Green front has been sort of quiet for past couple years. The Echoing Green emerged from the silence to drop a collection of of songs from 2002 to 2018 called “Violent Whispers: Songs & Stories From The Echoing Green”. This collection of songs is available right here on Vinyl (Limited to 500 copies). They are using funds generated from the sale of this album to fund a future release of NEW music. These are some of my favorite Echoing Green songs.… Continued →

Long time husband and wife indie-folk duo known as Jenny & Tyler have just completed work on their 5th album. You can support on Patreon right here and grab the songs from there. You can find some more behind the scenes videos and clips via their facebook page here.… Continued →

One of my favorite indie singer/songwriters, Arthur Alligood, returns with a kickstarter campaign to fund his upcoming new full length record. He is working with a couple Toad The Wet Sprocket members (as well as other guest musicians) on this album and it’ll be produced by Mikal Blue who has worked with groups/artists like Five For Fighting, One Republic, Jason Mraz, and Colbie Caillat among others. This highly anticipated new album needs support from fans and new fans alike. Arthur is a talented songwriter and I know this will be his biggest and best album to date.… Continued →

Check out this music video for the new Everything in Slow Motion song, “Clementine”, below. The band’s brand new album “Influence” is out now through Facedown Records.… Continued →

False Idle have emerged from their hiatus to drop a new song and music video for the skate punk anthem, “Eat, Sleep, Breathe”. Watch the music video below and make sure to check out the new benefit compilation “United We Skate Vol. 6” that this song appears on. You can also grab Vol. 7 while you’re at it.… Continued →

Head over to the Tooth & Nail Merch Site right now and order yourself a copy of “No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical” on VINYL! There is a limited number of copies left. This was carefully and thoughtfully put together by UnoriginalVinyl for T&N and on behalf of the band who also worked together on this Vinyl pressing. Go check it out here.… Continued →

Rock & Punk… Continued →

My Epic return with a special 10th anniversary remix of their classic song “Lower Still” with none other than Levi The Poet as guest. Check out this beautifully haunting new version in music video form with original members and Levi the Poet, below. Happy 10th Birthday, “Yet”! The song is on all digital platforms right now.… Continued →

The Classic Crime are returning after last year’s sleeper hit, “Patterns in the Static”, to record and release yet another full length record, their 7th. You can check out their Kickstarter campaign right here and contribute to get the goods or wait until it reaches digital markets in late 2021 or early 2022. How many Classic Crime fans do we have here?… Continued →

When Seventh Angel’s debut album The Torment came out, I was an instant fan. I was a huge thrash fan in my teenage years, and their unique take on it–lots of acoustic interludes, and darker chord progressions–appealed to me. A couple of years later, the band followed up with Lament for the Weary. I must admit that at first I didn’t get it. It was much slower than any thrash I’d ever heard, and I hadn’t discovered doom yet as a genre, so I didn’t have a frame of reference for slower tunes.… Continued →

As The Oh Hellos conclude their four-EP, multi-year release cycle, I take some time to reflect on what this might mean for the future of music and how bands can be more strategic with their promotion and build more excitement using a multi-release approach. … Continued →

We’re over 500 years past the Reformation and Reformation Day is traditionally celebrated on October 31st. With that in mind, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on this historic event and how it has altered the Church – and world – as well as look at some songs that tie into the themes of the five solas. Like this segment? Want more like it? Let us know!  … Continued →

Wide Awake is a quintessential fall album. It’s rife with alt-country flavor, down-to-earth lyrics, and bit of dust and grit to polish things off. The album serves as Cory Breth’s third major release to date, and, while fall is already turning to winter in parts of the country, the timing of its release couldn’t be much better. It’s earthen, raw at times, but Breth’s lyrics are laced with hope and truth. There’s an equal mix of proclamations of faith and ruminations on life that keep things from feeling too cliché or forcedly-Christian; nonetheless, faith is an essential part of this album and Breth’s lyrics pull back the curtain of ambiguity in a way that other artists simply don’t.… Continued →

The following list is a mix of new independent bands and recent bands releasing music in the past year. Unlike other “lists” in Christian Music that wallow through the sea of sameness, this list embarks on a journey to share good music that doesn’t suck. Read below for MY list of the 30 greatest indie bands of 2020. Leave your cynicism and snobby pseudo journalistic opinions at the door. This isn’t a definitive list and is simply some of my current faves and recommendations. Drop your current faves in the comments below.… Continued →

Hello Luna have returned with a brand new song, “Wait So Long”, which you can check out below. This female-fronted band is laced with hints of bands like Paramore or even Flyleaf – this is unadulterated rock with tight grooves and a fair bit of technicality as well.  … Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Cyborg Future & Emery – The Road We Find Ourselves Upon
• Deane Walden – Stupid Cupid
• Earth Groans – Waste (EP)
• Faintheart – Say to Me
• Fireflight – Who We Are: The Head And The Heart
• HANDSXFEET – Grace
• Hard Look – Breathing in the Wrath
• Ignite the Fire – Unstoppable
• Nate Parrish – Bullets and Blades
• Paradise Now – Monsters
• WeAreGeneration – Nightmare
• Weathered – Chasing Me
• Words – My Body’s a Zombie for You

Pop & CCM

• Adrienne Acosta – Keep Holding On
• Cade Thompson – Almost Dawn
• Caleb Crino – Basics
• Connor Caughlan – Skeletons (Live Version)
• Cory Asbury – Dear God (Acoustic)
• Courtnie Ramirez – Chase Me Down
• Chris Bray – More Like You
• DLLN – Imma Winner
• Ernstly Etienne – Quarantine
• Evvie McKinney – Look No Further (EP)
• Gabriel Conte – Wrong With Me
• The Gray Havens – This My Soul / / Autumn Sessions
• I AM THEY – Faithful God
• Jason Gray – Order, Disorder, Reorder
• John Jin Han – Young Folks
• Natalie Layne – Tell Them I’m Brave
• Riley Clemmons – Healing

Electronic

• Fishburn – Known All Along
• JackSayFree – King of Nations (2k20 Edit)
• ØM-53 – Rain Down

Folk & Singer/Songwriter

• Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors – Live at the Tennessee Theatre
• Paul Demer – Singing at a Restaurant
• Taylor Armstrong – Taylor Armstrong
• Teressa Mahoney – Maybe

Hip Hop & R&B

• Akil Hamilton – Best Part
• Andrew Puckett – Right Time
• Andy Mineo – Jackson Pollock (TikTok Remix)
• Anh Thai x Paul the Messenger – Overwhelm
• Arrow – On God (feat.

… Continued →