Best Christian Folk & Worship of 2024 Music Review
I’m one of these nerds that enjoys year-end lists. You must be too. Welcome!
This is the fifth year in a row that I’ve put together the Best Christian Folk & Worship Awards! It truly is one of the highlights of my year to write this post.
All of the music you read about below, and more, is contained in my 2024 Spotify playlist. There are so many good songs that I didn’t write about so go and discover them there. If you’re so inclined, you can find previous years’ playlists and read previous years’ reviews here: 2023 awards, 2022 awards, 2021 awards, 2020 awards.
Before we proceed to the awards, a few definitions.
It’s always tricky to use the word Christian to describe something other than a human being. When I say Christian music, I’m referring to faith-inspired music. I’m not trying to make any grand pronouncements or be some sort of gate-keeper for the Christian music industry. Rightly or wrongly, I’m assuming these songs are born out of some sort of Christian worldview (or, perhaps, reflect a Christian worldview).
Folk is another word I’m using quite generously. Most of this music has an acoustic guitar and could be described as folk/Americana music. Some of these tunes might be more gospel, rock, congregational, or pop in nature. Yet, all of the music was something I loosely considered folk or folk-adjacent. Feel free to disagree.
With that out of the way, let’s proceed to the awards!
Most Catchy Song of 2024: ‘Canyon’ by Taylor Armstrong
I don’t know much about Taylor. I can’t even remember how I found this song (probably one of you readers mentioned it online) but I love it! I’m very impressed with the production on this song (as well as others I’ve heard from him). The percussion is subtle but it does a lot of work. There’s some good atmospheric guitar sounds too. Once you hear the chorus, you won’t stop singing it.
You’re love is an ocean //My heart is a canyon // Come fill me up // Fill me up // My world is in your hands //I’m surrendered to your plans // Come fill me up // Fill me up
Best Congregational Worship Song of 2024: ‘How Great is the Greatness of God’ by Matt Boswell, Bryan Fowler, Matt Papa
It’s sad how few new, singable congregational worship songs are put out each year. Most of the stuff that gains traction are arena anthems that aren’t very practical for non-megachurches. There’s beautiful stuff that local churches and indie artists produce but because there’s no marketing industrial complex behind it — it doesn’t get many eyes or ears. I love this song because it’s so simple, easy-to-pick-up, and you can imagine a congregation of dozens or thousands singing it. Bonus points for being a Trinitarian worship song!
How faithful the Father above // How wondrous the works of the Son // How sweet is the Spirit given to us // How great is the greatness of God
Most Inventive Song of 2024: ‘Wherever I Find Myself — In the Fields’ by Paul Zach
Paul Zach went out to a field and recorded some music. It may not sound revolutionary (and it probably isn’t) but the sounds will transport you to another place. There’s something about his music that just seems fitting for a field where birds are chirping and bugs are buzzing. Enjoy!
When I’m runnin’ from becomin’ all the wrong that I’ve done // Won’t you follow me wherever I run // When I wrestle with the shadow of the depths of my soul // come and bless me here and don’t let me go
Best Reminaged/Retuned Hymn of 2024: ‘Jesus Paid it All’ by Brice Davis
I love what Brice did with this song. The melody is mostly the same but he made some subtle changes to make it a bit more folkier. If you like this, Brice put out some other retuned/reimagined hymns this year. He also put out another song I really like this year called Mud Pies. Be sure to check that one out too.
Best ‘Bob Your Head’ Jam of 2024: ‘Garden in Manhattan’ by Josiah Queen
If you like banjos and boot tappin’ music, then you’ll love this song. Lots of Rend Collective, Lumineers vibes. Behind the driving, upbeat nature of this song is a good message: be salt and light where you’ve been placed. Bloom where you’ve been planted.
I’ll be a Garden in Manhattan be a // River where it’s dry // When my friends can’t find the road // I’ll be a roadside welcome sign // Sunshine in Seattle // Be a cool breeze in July // Light in the darkness // I’ll be a garden // A Garden in Manhattan
Most Powerful Song of 2024: ‘Burning Bushes Everywhere’ by Caroline Cobb
Most of the believers I chat with know the objective truths of the gospel but struggle having a rich communion with God. Myself included. We’re longing for a sign that He’s there, that He sees us, that He knows us, that He loves us. Caroline winsomely asks (and declares) in this song: Perhaps there are burning bushes everywhere? This song is a perfect blend of longing, confession, lament, hope, and poetry. I would expect nothing less from Caroline.
“I wonder if you feel it?
Because I know I do
I wonder if you push it away?
I know I do that too
But I don’t want to miss the mystery
The bright ache for eternal things
Lighting up all these fires in me
Even though it hurts
What if we opened our eyes to see
Burning bushes?”
We’ve been asking for a sign // Looking for the missing piece // Manufacturing holy ground // To see if God would speak // But every morning the sun rises // And every night it goes back down // Burning bushes everywhere // For those who would look around
Most Honest Song of 2024: ‘Faith More Precious Than Gold’ by Mission House, Jacob Early
This is one of my most listened-to songs of the year. I’m kind of a sucker for congregational songs that are honest about pain and suffering. I’m also kind of a Mission House superfan (if you’ve read previous music reviews, you are aware of this). You don’t get a lot of honest songs like this so when one comes along that is so singable, beautiful, and biblical (from 1 Peter 1) — you got to celebrate it. So, celebrate it by listening on repeat.
We have been tested by so many fires // Burned in the heat of what our hope requires // Find us here singing in a foolish choir // Our faith more precious than gold // Our faith more precious than gold // Though we don’t see you, we love you // When we don’t feel you, we still sing // We’ve got a reason to trust you // Jesus in everything
Best Relationship Song of 2024: ‘Magnolia Trees’ by Brogan Gaskill
This song was so good, I had to create a new category for it! Brogan has such a unique voice and is a great songwriter. I dare you to listen to this song and not fall in love with it.
Would you walk with me // Under magnolia trees // With your hand in my hand // And your heart on your sleeve? // We could learn how to dance // In the shade of the leaves // While the birds sing their song // With the dawning of Spring // Darling, life’s abloom // Fix your eyes anew
Honorable Mention: The Magic by The Gray Havens
Best Breakup Song of 2024: ‘Progress (Daylight Session)’ by Nathan Storey
You can’t have a relationship song on the list without a break-up song, right? Technically, this song is more of a conflict resolution song. Nathan Storey explains: “I thought the idea of something ending as progress was really interesting and tried to explore that. I feel like we most often want things to resolve when we experience conflict and the resolution we don’t often want to explore is ending something. Or, at least we’re most hesitant to see that as an option when conflict arises.” Sometimes progress means the end of something. If you resonate with that idea — or just love some great harmonies — check this one out.
Best Kingdom Song of 2024: ‘The Kingdom of Jesus’ by The Porter’s Gate, Jon Guerra, Sandra McCracken
Another new category for the awards that was originally entitled ‘Best Political Song of 2024.’ If I titled it that, no one would probably want to listen. Politics is what this song made me think of but there’s nothing partisan about it. It does seem to be a song written for our current political climate. So, all who have ears to hear: listen to these words of the chorus:
His Kingdom is not of this world or of any kingdom whose ruler’s face is on a penny // He comes to make all things bright and put a new wine in us // He’s chosen the small things to outlast the great // The meek and the merciful to shine through the hate // Though it seems some days that Hell and its gates are prevailing // Oh say can you see the kingdom within us is the Kingdom of Jesus?
Honorable Mention: ‘American Gospel’ by Jon Guerra
Best Sabbath Song of 2024: ‘Resting in the Lord’ by Jacob Early
The new categories just keep on coming! I hope there are so many rest/Sabbath songs in the future that this award is an annual tradition. The older I get, the more appreciative I am of people writing about the need — and experience of — rest. This song — more than any other — grew on me over the course of the year. Very catchy. I’m sure it will grow on you as well.
By the way, last year, there were two great songs about Sabbath I would encourage you to go back and listen to.
She’s cruising in the left lane // Her story’s dragging on // But I’m loving every minute of it, oh // ’Cause I’m resting in the Lord
Best Mental Health Song of 2024: ‘Loop Cycle’ by The Gray Havens
The first few times I’ve heard this, I enjoyed it for its sound and creativity. It’s just pure pop-folk goodness. Then, I fell in love with the song once I finally listened to the lyrics carefully. I especially like how the song is confessional but hopeful. All who worry or struggle with anxiety will resonate with this song.
Loop cycle, here we go // Anxious thoughts on repeat // Loop cycle, here we go // Livin’ life in defeat // Loop cycle, here we go // Every day, all the time // On replay in my mind // In my mind
Best Cover Song of 2024: ‘When He Returns’ by John Mark McMillan
Some of my favorite Bob Dylan songs…are sung by other artists. Add this one to the list.
The iron hand, it ain’t match for the iron rod // The strongest wall will crumble and fall to a mighty God // For all those who have eyes and all those who have ears // It is only He who can reduce me to tears // Don’t you cry and don’t you die and don’t you burn // For like a thief in the night, He’ll replace wrong with right // When He returns
Best Seasonal Song of 2024: ‘God Is With Us’ by Drakeford
I’ve been a big fan of Drakeford for many years. If you love male-female harmonies, you need to check them out. I especially enjoyed this song not just for its clever re-use of Christmas lyrics but also for the genuine appreciation expressed for the Christmas message: Immanuel, God with us. Drakeford explains how this song was written during a “dark night of the soul.” This song is the fruit of a fresh experience of God showing up in his life. I saw Drakeford perform this song live and you could feel the weight, confidence, and hope these closing lyrics: “And since we don’t speak heaven’s language, God personified Himself, And now He’s with us, Immanuel.”
This is the moral of the season, this is what it’s all about // God is infinitely bigger than our minds can wrap around // And since we don’t speak heaven’s language, God personified Himself // And now He’s with us, Immanuel
Honorable Mention: ‘Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery’ by Brice Davis
Most Beautiful Song of 2024: ‘The Whole Earth is Full of Your Glory’ by Mission House
Here’s another beautiful, poetic congregational song from Mission House. This one specifically points to God’s revelation of Himself in creation. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Each verse of this song points to an attribute of God seen in creation: “The whole earth is full of your: glory…goodness…patience…mercy.” Here’s such a good reminder that God is so vast and so loving that the evidences of His goodness are everywhere.
The whole earth is full of your goodness // There’s good in each glimmer of light // The secrets you paint into every sunset // The song you sing every night // Oh I don’t want to miss it // Oh open my eyes // I know if I go looking // I’ll find you every time
Kids Favorite Song of 2024: ‘Fresh Air’ by Northwest Stories
What a pleasant surprise stumbling across Northwest Stories this year. Great harmonies, multi-layered vocals, pop-sensibilities, great production. I highly recommend checking them out. My youngest son, in particular, fell in love with this song and so it became one of our most listened to songs of the year. Enjoy!
I’ve been a little bit stressed out // And I could use a breath of fresh air now // So take me where the trees grow // Take me where the river flows // I feel it deep within my soul // Let’s go build a garden // Plant some fruits and vegetables // Harvest everything we sow // He’s saying we should go
Favorite New Artist of 2024: Jimmy Clifton
Jimmy has a great Appalachian, countrified, folky sound. He’s put out a ton of stuff this year and it’s a good mix between overtly, faith-inspired music and more general, mountain-living kind of music. He’s a phenomenal songwriter with a lot of passion and zeal. Check him out!
Honorable Mention: Taylor Armstrong, Brice Davis, Northwest Stories
Best Album of 2024 (Co-Winners): ‘Message Songs’ by The Porter’s Gate and ‘Manna’ by Chris Renzema
On Message Songs:
I’m a long admirer of Eugene Peterson and was glad to back this Kickstarter to bring The Message to life through song: “Over the past 30 years, many people around the world have discovered new meaning to the Scriptures through the long and faithful work of Eugene Peterson in his work “The Message.” Our hope is to bring these texts to a new generation of readers through setting them to music through this project in partnership with The Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination.” I’m so impressed with the final product. Lots of amazing artists coming together to make an eclectic album. I especially liked Happy From the Inside Out, New Every Morning, Spirit Move! (Keep on Moving), and Your Love is My Song.
On Manna:
This album is filled with honest songwriting, great vocals, and excellent production. I honestly believe this is one of the most complete albums to come out in the Christian Folk/Worship space since I’ve started keeping track of this world back in 2019. It’s very mature but hopeful (which has been a theme of the music I’ve liked this year): no easy believism but still faith-filled. I especially enjoyed: Hereditary, Square One, Faith!?, and Narrow Road.
Best Song of 2024 (Co-Winners): ‘Narrow Road’ by Chris Renzema and ‘Back to the Dirt’ by Jimmy Clifton
Am I spineless for awarding co-winners on both album and song of the year? Absolutely. And I don’t care.
On Narrow Road:
Most of what is popular amongst “Christian music” today (if that’s such a thing) are emotive anthems that are relentlessly positive. There is a place for that music and I’m glad that it’s there. I like some of it. I do wonder if there’s too much of it though? There are so many talented artists putting out music that is distinctly less celebratory but perhaps more genuine and candid. I love this song because it’s very singable, it’s sticky, and it’s well produced. But, I also love it because it talks about how following Jesus is hard and can feel lonely. I resonate with it. It speaks to me. I hope it speaks to you as well.
You said it’d be a narrow road // You said it’d be a narrow road // So why am I surprised when it seems I’m on my own? // You said it’d be a narrow road // This world would never be my home // The journey might be lonely, but I’d never be alone // Oh, oh, oh // I’d never be alone
On Back to the Dirt:
I have a feeling this song won’t connect with as many people as it did with me but I feel compelled to share it. It’s a pretty stripped down song. For many people, it may even feel like a country song. I suppose I love it because it reminds me of my background growing up in rural Michigan. I also enjoy it because so much of the last few years of my life have been spent meditating upon local living, faith, home, community, the land, etc. This, of course, has coincided with planting a church and reading a lot of Wendell Berry and Leif Enger. These are good, hearty things to think about. I invite you to think about them too as you listen to this song.
Back to the dirt // Back to the Carolina border // Back to my honey, Lord knows I could not afford her // Back to my car that barely runs, to the rack of empty guns // Back to where Jesus saved me then for what it’s worth // Back to the dirt
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I had a ton of fun putting it together. Along the way, I’m sure I missed a lot. If so, let me know. Seriously. I want to listen to some good music I missed. I’ll listen to anything you email. You can reach me at tbriggs@steadfast.church.
I too am a songwriter/producer and if you want to follow along with some of my music, check out Folk Hymnal. “Folk Hymnal is a guild of church worship leaders creating theologically rich songs in an accessible and attractive way.” We released an EP in 2023 called We Have an Anchor and Lord willing, we will have some new music coming in 2024.
Again, you can listen to all the above music and other favorites of mine from 2024 on this Spotify playlist.
