Hi Pal,
Welcome to this edition of List of Ten, a newsletter where I give you ten music recommendations related to any theme(s) of my choice.
In my head, I know it’s practically impossible to listen to every Christian alternative/indie album from any given year but it still grinds my gears when I miss out on really cool albums. This list is dedicated to albums I did not listen to in 2022 or those I heard and forgot about when I was making my end-of-year list (not very professional, I know). In no particular order, let’s get into it.
Sounds of City and Field by KOTOKA
Experimental Electronic Pop
KOTOKA is one of the reasons that I regret using the word ‘unique’ to describe a lot of the music I talk about here because it kind of loses its spark when a truly unique artist like her comes around. This Singaporean artist has a distinct approach to electronic pop music, merging synth vocals and instrumentation in interesting sonic patterns.
Sounds of City and Field is a concept album that feels like a lover's tale between a woman and her lover. It is a heartfelt expression of adoration from an artist who clearly loves her God dearly.
The Twilight Gospel by Rob Ray
Indie Pop, Folk Pop
I have no excuses for this particular omission. I was excited about this album, I talked about every new single here prior to its release and genuinely enjoyed the album when it dropped. And somehow, I still totally omitted it from my list.
The Twilight Gospel is a really good album. Like the album art, it has a childlike and playful quality to it in certain parts but that is just a part of its charm. It’s a relaxing journey that reminds us of the place and plans of God for the world and His children.
Innocence & Experience by David Benjamin Blower
Folk
I came to the David Benjamin Blower party very late. Describing himself as an apocalyptic folk musician and poet, I approached this album with a certain degree of expectation and I was not disappointed.
Innocence & Experience is a concept album that has DBB singing the poems of the late William Blake. Although I am unfamiliar with the works of the English poet, David Benjamin Blower manages to create a sonic atmosphere that fits the mood of the lyrics for each song. That is an incredible feat.
Robot Hymns For Your Plastic Soul by Adam Anglin
Electronic Rock, Indie Pop, Indie Rock
Adam Anglin is my current ‘favourite artist that I knew nothing about three months ago’. His two albums are quite good and come highly recommended by me for folks who love creative and fun electronic infusions in their pop and rock music.
Robot Hymns For Your Plastic Soul is an album of hymn covers and somehow manages to be so much more than that. Every one of these hymns is given unique makeovers that do not compromise the heart of the messages that they pass. It’s stellar work.
The Greatest End by Benjamin Horton
Indie Folk
This album dropped in January 2022 and I remember saying it would make my top 10 list for sure. I should cover my face in shame because apparently, it didn’t. Recency bias is a real thing and I’m certain that this album would have made the list if it came out a little later in the year.
The Greatest End is a good album. It is a worship album full of reverence and total surrender to Christ Jesus with heartwarming vocal harmonies and instrumentation.
His Kingdom Above by Heaven’s Dave
Folk, Singer-songwriter
Early last year, I got a message from this band asking me to check out this album. I remember that they described themselves as ‘reimagining old hymns in a style similar to Dave Matthews’. Usually, I’m reluctant to make or accept artist comparisons because it always ends in some form of disappointment, in my opinion. Still, I have to admit that I can hear the Dave Matthews similarities on this album.
His Kingdom Above is much more than a DM cover band project though. It stands on its own as a soothing acoustic journey for lovers of old Christian hymns.
I: BRIGHTER BELIEVER by Crafted Child
Alternative Pop
Of all the albums on this list, this omission has the dumbest excuse of all. Here it is: I could not decide if this was an album or an EP (don’t ask, just don’t ask).
I: BRIGHTER BELIEVER is a fun ride from start to finish, clocking out at around 26 minutes. For a short album, it still manages to have a lot of variety within the tracklisting. If I had one critique, it would be that it tends to feel disjointed at times and I feel like tracks could have been arranged better.
Dust & Deity by Maximilian
Singer-songwriter, Folk, Gospel
I made a mistake with this album. I went into it thinking that I was going into an indie folk album and when it became clear that it was not that, I did not give it a fair chance (have I mentioned that I am quite unprofessional?). Now that I’ve had some distance and listened to it for what it is, here we are.
Dust & Deity is one of the best singer-songwriter albums of 2023! It’s rich and diverse blending elements of folk, country, southern rock and gospel to create a deeply moving listening experience.
SEEK by Jem Pryse
Alternative Fusion
The day this album dropped, I remember having a friend over and we listened and talked about how good it is. Why it did not make my final list is something that I can’t quite wrap my head around. I do not use Alternative Fusion lightly and there are only two albums I describe as this from last year.
SEEK is a cornucopia of genres ranging from R&B and Funk to Pop, Folk and Electronic. There’s something in here for everyone and that is a rare thing to say.
HOLY IS THE LORD & GOOD SPIRITS by God’s Warrior
Dubstep, Electronica, House, Pop
It may seem like overkill to end this list by posting two albums from the same artist but considering the fact that God’s Warrior dropped five albums in 2022, this is fair in my opinion. I didn’t add God’s Warrior to my lists last year because he’s so hard to categorize.
There aren’t many Christian projects committed to producing the type of electronic albums that come from this artist. HOLY IS THE LORD & GOOD SPIRITS are testaments to the hidden gems of creativity that exists within the Christian alternative music landscape.
That’s it for today.
Catch you at the next one!
Have you listened to any of these albums? What are your hidden gems from 2022?
If you’re not a paying subscriber and want to sign up for additional postings and to join conversations, here’s how:
I was surprised 'The Greatest End', bestest worship album from last year IMO (which is the only album on this list I've listened to) didn't make it on your list. But it's okay. We 'forgive' you 😀
It's the Heaven's Dave band for me. Listening to their 2023 as my first listen now, and I love what I hear. Will do the 2022 later.
As for Dust and Deity, I LOVE Maximillian a lot. My best tracks on that album are "Without You", "The Spirit & the Bride", "Song of the Lamb" and "Building You a Throne". He's pretty neat and I like the Southern Rock/Country elements this album has.
But yes, a mistake you made. LOL