Tag: Christian Music

  • Hallelujah! It’s Christmas! by Phil Wickham (Album Review)

    Hallelujah! It’s Christmas! by Phil Wickham (Album Review)

    It was my first time listening to a Christmas album by Phil Wickham. This one is actually his fourth Christmas album – which I had no idea of. I’ve heard Phil Wickham’s songs in the past, but it had been a while since I’ve listened to his music. I remember enjoying his worship-fused tunes. I happened upon this one, because I was looking for a good holiday album. I have to say, it was a pleasant welcome back. I didn’t even know that this was his fourth Christmas album, but I’m so glad I discovered it through CMADDICT’s Spotfiy Christmas music playlist (check it out here!).

    Right away, I was drawn in. I liked how he took familiar songs and added his own festive spirit to them. It had more of a modern-worshipful spark, but somehow, the same comforting feel that you get from classic songs. When I got to the second track, I knew this was going to be one of the best Christian Christmas albums I’ve ever discovered. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman” is one of my favorite songs during the holiday season, and his rendition of it is now my go-to for Christmas.

    There were other favorites of mine, “Silent Night, Holy Night,” with its calm, but powerful melody, “Deck the Halls with CHPTRS,” it starts more toned down, but grows to a joyous celebration at the end, “Hallelujah! It’s Christmas!,” which is also the title of this album – it’s a beautiful, and cheerful track, and “Worth The Wait,” it spurs this ancient, and hopeful tune about Christ (He was indeed worth the wait!), “Holy Forever,” is a worshipful song that brings a focused glory of God, and lastly, “O Christmas Tree (Greatest Story),” is a sweet, and reflective story on the Greatest Story. In conclusion, all the songs are great, and sure to move you to sing along with the lyrics.

    Phil Wickham has a couple of albums, as well as his four Christmas albums. I first discovered him from his album Heaven and Earth. A friend of mine first introduced me to his music. I enjoyed that album and played the songs often. Because of this Christmas album, I’m curious to check out his other music again. I loved this new Christmas album by Phil Wickham, and I look forward to more. I highly recommend Hallelujah! It’s Christmas! and his other music, as well. You’ll like them for sure.

  • New Christian Christmas 2024

    New Christian Christmas 2024

    NEW 2024 SONGS INCLUDED – A mix of old and new, classic and original Christian Christmas songs. This list includes Sarah Reeves, for KING & COUNTRY, Ellie Holcomb, Fleurie, Relient K, Blanca, Grace Graber Music, Anne Wilson, Crowder, Sarah Kroger, Seventh Day Slumber, Riley Clemmons, TobyMac and more!
    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5l0FUQczSadgbzFJxNBP7y?si=c933d9f5c18c4a28
    #christian #Christmas #music #newmusic

    Listen on Spotify or below. Enjoy!

    The CMADDICT Team

  • Carly Ann Taylor Finds God’s Faithfulness in New Single “Why Should I Worry”

    Carly Ann Taylor Finds God’s Faithfulness in New Single “Why Should I Worry”

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — For rising artist Carly Ann Taylor, inspiration has often come from seeing God through the challenges she’s faced. This was true of her debut EP Changing My Story, and is again the case with her new Matthew 6-based single “Why Should I Worry” available today (November 15) on all streaming platforms.

    Produced by David Cook (Phil Wickham, Forrest Frank, Tate McRae), “Why Should I Worry” marks a new season for Carly Ann. After graduating from college, she battled self-doubt and depression, questioning what she was supposed to do next with her life and career. Through the support and encouragement of her family—especially her mom—she sought in Scripture for comfort and guidance.

    “I was reading in Matthew 6 about how God is taking care of us,” Carly Ann said. “If he takes care of the birds and the lilies, why would we question our value?”

    With that scripture in mind, she sat down at the piano. Organically, “Why Should I Worry” started coming to life.

    “I was writing ‘Why Should I Worry’ with my little sister at the piano with me, and I felt like I was speaking to her,” Carly Ann said. “I was looking at her as a little child—without worry or fear, enjoying life—but knowing one day she’ll come to be with worries. I started thinking about what I would want to say to her.”

    Although God was speaking to Carly Ann as she was writing “Why Should I Worry” she knew that the song would also be a way for other people to know that God sees and cares about them.

    “I pray that this song is something all generations can declare over their lives,” Carly Ann said. “It was born from a really heavy worry about my future, and I pray people can resonate with it.”

    Carly Ann hopes that “Why Should I Worry” brings direction to those struggling with anxiety, and the song becomes a reminder of who God is.

    Featuring soaring gospel vocals and catchy melodies, the song draws inspiration from R&B artists like Alicia Keys and Tori Kelly. Carly Ann’s powerful vocals are what drew listeners into her debut EP Changing My Story released on April 19. The six-track record vividly tells Carly Ann’s story of encountering Jesus. It’s available on all streaming platforms here.

    More new music from Carly Ann is set to be released in 2025. Until then, follow @CarlyIsMusic on Instagram and TikTok to stay up-to-date on future projects.

    Listen to “Why Should I Worry” here.

     

    ABOUT CARLY ANN TAYLOR

    Carly Ann Taylor is a soulful and passionate vocalist, songwriter, and worship leader based out of San Diego, CA who tells the chronicling story of her journey from a life of dysfunction to a life of redemption. Carly Ann showcases her voice through a rich combination of experiences and faith. Each song on her EP Changing My Story is a chapter of her life; coming from brokenness and abandonment to finding healing, hope, and salvation in Jesus Christ. Carly Ann’s life calling is to lead people in a transformational worship experience.

  • Lead Singer for Multi-Platinum Nu Metal Band, P.O.D., Shares Life of 30 years Between Two Worlds

    Lead Singer for Multi-Platinum Nu Metal Band, P.O.D., Shares Life of 30 years Between Two Worlds

    Born and raised on the streets of Southtown, two exits from the Mexico border, Sonny Sandoval was always going to go his own way. And as frontman of the platinum selling nu metal band P.O.D.–a group too Christian for the world and too secular for the church–he has broken every mold, defied every expectation, and reached into the hearts and minds of hundreds of thousands of people who wanted to belong to something but never felt like they fit in.
    In his book, Son of Southtown, he shares how he lived on the edge between two worlds, a line he has attempted to walk with integrity.
    Raw and uncut, this memoir tells his true story of growing up in the gritty beauty south of San Diego, his early musical influences and big breaks, his rise to fame and many hardships and struggles along the way.
    Readers will get an inside glimpse into stories of performing in cornfields at the Cornerstone Music Festival to rocking MTV’s Total Request Live with Carson Daly to playing in New York City just weeks after 9/11, and every unglamorous moment in between. His story will inspire readers to always be totally and uniquely them, without apology and without compromise–but with passion and integrity.
    Sonny is available for interviews and speak on the following topics:
    – His career in nu-metal and the impact on his faith
    – His struggles with identity
    – Why this generation needs “Youth of a Nation” more than ever

    To schedule an interview with Sonny Sandoval, please contact: Kelli B. Smith at 

    ksmith@bakerpublishinggroup.com

    “This book is such an open, honest look into Sonny Sandoval’s life. His story, his music, and his walk with Christ continues to inspire me and many others.” 
    — Jacoby Shaddix, frontman for Papa Roach
    About the Author
    Sonny Sandoval is the lead singer and lyricist of the multi-platinum band
    P.O.D. (Payable on Death) and cofounder of The Whosoevers. He is a
    product of Southtown, the southern part of San Diego that approaches the
    border with Mexico. He is the founder and president of the Youth of the
    Nation Foundation, which reaches out to children from underprivileged
    neighborhoods and gives them the opportunity to find their self-worth and
    value. Sonny is married to his high school sweetheart, Shannon, and they
    have three children.
  • Matt Sassano seeks to amplify the experience of sexual abuse and trafficking survivors on “Violated”

    Matt Sassano seeks to amplify the experience of sexual abuse and trafficking survivors on “Violated”

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Top-charting Christian rock artist Matt Sassano with his latest foray into stigmatized subjects. “Violated” seeks to amplify and dignify the experiences of those who have survived sexual abuse and trafficking. The song is streaming everywhere at https://offstep.link/449386378502.

    “I resonate with it as someone who hasn’t gone through that kind of abuse but really empathizes with any kind of abuse that people go through,” shares Matt Sassano, whose last single “Happy Family” uncovered his own experience of growing up in a home with domestic violence. 

    Always digging deep as a songwriter, Sassano was committed to doing the subject of human trafficking justice. He says, “I’ve been working with Mary Nikkel of The Exodus Road, who works with survivors directly. She educated me on a whole host of issues leading up to this release. Often when you think about trafficking, you get the Hollywood version in your mind: Liam Neeson and Taken, someone swept in a van and never heard from again. Although those cases do happen, it’s usually actually a friend or a family member or a loved one manipulating someone into slavery of some sort.”

    To bring the song’s empowering tone to life, Matt Sassano collaborated with producer Josiah Prince (Disciple). “Violated” was mixed and mastered by Kevin Jackson, who Sassano worked closely with for “Happy Family.” With a strong team behind it, “Violated” is a worthy successor to Matt Sassano’s uninterrupted string of #1 tracks at rock radio, a list that has included “Fuel,” “Dear God” and “Not My Name.”

    “Rather than focus on the victimization of these people, we wanted to focus on survivor stories,” Matt Sassano says earnestly. “Everything that we did was to honor their stories, from the artwork to the lyrics. It was all carefully crafted.”

    According to the United Nations, “trafficking occurs when a trafficker uses force, fraud or coercion to control another person for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or soliciting labor or services against his/her will. Force, fraud, or coercion need not be present if the individual engaging in commercial sex is under 18 years of age.”

    If you think that you or someone you love might be experiencing trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or chat live at humantraffickinghotline.org/en/chat. To learn more about trafficking and get involved in stopping it, visit theexodusroad.com

    For more from Matt Sassano, follow him on FacebookInstagram and Spotify.