Best Jesus-y, Folky, Singer-songwriter-y, Worship-y, High Quality Music of 2020

I’m one of these nerds that enjoys year-end lists. You must be too. Welcome!

It’s nearly impossible for me to not click on top ten lists each time I see them appear on my social media timelines. I joke each year that I’m going to make a top 10 list of top 10 lists! I listen to a lot of music but the top music lists I read each year rarely resonate with me. There’s a whole world of mainstream, populist music that people listen to that I have no connection with. Those lists end up being great places for me to discover new music but it’s rare for me to find “my people.” You know, people who listen to the same sort of music I listen to.

So, what kind of music do I listen to? Well, it’s hard to describe. Most of what I listen to is Jesus-y, folky, singer-songwriter-y, worship-y, high quality music. Unfortunately, Spotify doesn’t have a genre for this. Yet. So, if you like that kind of music too, you’ve come to the right place.

I listened to a lot of music in 2020 and kept track of it all along the way so it’s my privilege to present to you the first annual Jesus-y, Folky, Singer-songwriter-y, Worship-y, High Quality Music Awards! By the way, all my favorite songs from 2020(including all the ones below), can be found on this Spotify playlist.

Most Catchy Song of 2020: “Trust in You” by Antoine Bradford

This song feels like from another era. It’s mellow, soulful, and…well…catchy. The mood and lyrics make it a perfect song for 2020. Give it a listen. You’ll be singing it all day.

If perfect love cast out fear / Then why should I ever be afraid / When I know that you will always /Be right next to me

Honorable Mention: “Who Am I?” by NEEDTOBREATHE; “Bet All I Have” by Mission House; “I Will Sing” by Sandra McCracken

Best Congregational Worship Song of 2020: “Christ Our Hope in Life and Death” by Keith & Kristyn Getty, Matt Papa

Another song that was fitting to be released in 2020. Adapted from the Heidelberg Catechism, this song reminds us that “hope comes only in trusting the one who died to take the curse of death and who crushed the power of death by his resurrection. The Christian can sing hallelujah, because Christ assures us of our glorious future.” You can learn more about the story behind this song here.

Honorable Mention: Shameless plug, I’m part of a guild of artists called Folk Hymnal. We released an album called Good News Songs and it’s great (clearly, I’m biased). If you like CityAlight, Sandra McCracken, and Indelible Grace — you’ll probably like our stuff.

Most Inventive Song of 2020: “Rest” by The Gray Havens

The Gray Havens continue to put out intricate, heady music and I love it! This is a smooth, layered song with a simple refrain: “Gotta rest, feeling low(Re-e-e-est).” The Gray Havens took an obscure song subject and made it memorable and enjoyable.

Best Reimagined/Retuned Hymn of 2020: “Even Still” by Greg LaFollette

Greg continues to make beautiful, well-produced music for the church. The added chorus to this hymn makes for a calm, comforting song.

“Come, you disconsolate, where’er you languish; come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel. // Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish; earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot heal. // He is with you, He is with you, He is with you even still; Here bring your wounded hearts, hear tell your anguish, Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal”

Honorable Mentions: “Come, Ye Disconsolate” by Eric Peters (coming to Spotify soon); “Leave it There” by Wilder Adkins

Most Powerful Song of 2020: “Constellations” by Ellie Holcomb

Ellie’s vocals are really something on this song. Quite a performance by her. This song is full of longing and her raw, transparent voice fit it so well. Regarding this song, she says, “This is probably the most raw song I’ve ever written, and the vocal that’s on the recording is actually the vocal I recorded the first time I ever sang the song. This song is for the moments when you want to shake your first at the sky because this life hurts. It breaks. It ends. It confounds us, and it confuses us. It makes sense to me that this earth is not our home. But while we’re in this chaos, desert valley, dust place, there is an echo from somewhere else that reminds us that we are not alone. That is my hope for this song.”

Most Honest Song of 2020: “Wake Up, Jesus” by The Porter’s Gate, Liz Vice

The Porter’s Gate released so much good music in 2020. Their Justice Songs and Lament Songs were so well done. Brilliant work was done on this song to take the story of the miracle of the calming of the storm by Jesus (Matt. 8:23–27) and turn it into a lament.

Best ‘Bob Your Head’ Song of 2020: “Fill My Cup” by Thad Cockrell, The New Respects

When it’s a nice day and you’re cruising down the road with your window open — you want a song to “bob your head” to. This is it. It’s impossible not to like this song.

Most Fun Song of 2020: “Survival” by NEEDTOBREATHE, Drew Holcomb, Ellie Holcomb

NEEDTOBREATHE’s new album continues their legacy of infectious rock music. This song features Drew and Ellie Holcomb, beautiful harmonies, and pure rock fun.

Best Seasonal Song of 2020: “The Thanksgiving Song” by Ben Rector

Usually a Christmas song would win this category but this Ben Rector song is nostalgic and full of longing. Many people couldn’t live out this vision of Thanksgiving this year which perhaps made it all the more sentimental and touching.

Honorable Mentions: “Oh Come, All You Unfaithful” by Sovereign Grace Music; “Hallelujah, Christ is Born” by Caroline Cobb

Most Beautiful Song of 2020: “Grace & Mercy” by Jess Ray

I found myself singing this song so much this year. Piano, strings, and a gorgeous voice singing, “I know now, that, I am still so in need of grace and mercy, I am still so in need of grace and mercy.” It, indeed, would be a sad life without grace and mercy.

Honorable Mentions: “Instrument of Peace” by The Porter’s Gate; “Psalm 1” by Poor Bishop Hooper.

Kids Favorite Song of 2020: “Peace Like a River” by Josh Garrels

I listen to a lot of music in my car and my kids are often with me. They like most of what I listen to but sometimes, there’s a song they request over and over. “Peace Like a River” is this year’s song. It’s a simple, joyful song and Josh has one of the best, most unique voices in the biz.

Honorable Mention: “Light of Your Grace” by Citizens

Favorite New Artist of 2020: Poor Bishop Hooper

They are not new to the music business but they were new to me in 2020. I discovered them over this past year as they released a Psalm-based song each week. These songs were my most listened to songs in 2020 (thanks Spotify wrapped!) and have been a balm to my soul. I’m in awe of their creativity, consistency, and talent. If you’re not familiar with them, be sure to check them out.

Best Seasonal Album of 2020: A Seed, A Sunrise: Advent to Christmas Songs by Caroline Cobb

Lots of fresh, folky Christmas songs on this album produced by Isaac Wardell. This album is full of gospel hope. Perfect for this holiday season. You can listen to the whole album here.

Best Album of 2020: I Heard a Song I Can’t Ignore by Mission House

I don’t think I’ve heard a song from Mission House that I didn’t like. Their lyrics are great, the vocals are top notch, and the production is excellent. I could talk about each song on this album but I’ll cut to the chase: they’re all great. There’s no clunkers here. We are spoiled to have this album come after their equally-as-good 2019 self-titled album Mission House. They’re a gift to the Jesus-y, Folky, Singer-songwriter-y, Worship-y, High Quality genre. If you haven’t listened to them, you need to.

Honorable Mentions: Out of Body by NEEDTOBREATHE; Patient Kingdom by Sandra McCracken

Best Song of 2020: Christ the Lord is with Me by Steffany Gretzinger, Amanda Lindsey Cook

Chills, goosebumps, all the feels. This is what you get when you listen to this song. If my memory serves me right, this song came out shortly after COVID. It was my go-to song this year in the midst of all the chaos and crazy. The song ends in a perfect way: Steffany’s daughter singing the chorus full of innocence, cuteness, and dependency. As 2020 ends and we wonder what 2021 holds, we know this: Christ the Lord is with us.

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Thanks for taking the time to read this. I had a ton of fun putting it together. We are truly blessed to have this much good music at our disposal. 2020 has increased my respect and admiration for what these artists do as a vocation.

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.

Again, you can listen to all the above music and other favorites of mine from 2020 on this Spotify playlist.