A high-energy rock band and a gospel great are among this month’s releases

ANTHEMS
Todd Ballard
(New Day Christian Distributors)
6-26570-62263-5
Feb. 5

A founding pastor at one of the country’s fastest-growing congregations—Red Rocks Church in Golden, Colo.—Ballard recently left his position to pursue music full-time. Produced by Otto Price (TobyMac, BarlowGirl), Ballard’s national debut recording, Anthems, comprises 13 songs intended to connect with the worshipper’s heart. Showcasing an all-star lineup of industry professionals who have worked with the likes of One Republic, Justin Bieber and Maroon 5, the album “is simply anthems from the heart” with each song “an anthem of the way I love God,” Ballard said. Stand-out tracks include “Why We’re Singing,” written with multi-Dove-Award-winning Producer of the Year Ian Eskelin, inspired by a sermon from Charles Spurgeon; and “Immanuel,” a ballad about resting in God’s presence. The project also features a cover of Delirious’ “Find Me in the River.”

I GOT THIS—LIVE!
Dottie Peoples
Thirty Tigers Distribution (Provident Distribution)
7-94504-7899-3-5
Feb. 5

Recorded live in Peoples’ hometown of Atlanta, I Got This—Live! is a 13-song journey through a collection of praise & worship, contemporary and traditional gospel music woven together. The release features her signature vocals on the radio singles “I Got This” and an arrangement of the classic hit “Everything Must Change.” Known for her hits “On Time God,” “Do It!” and “Testify,” Peoples is a three-time GRAMMY Award nominee and winner of numerous awards, including the Stellar, Dove and Soul Train awards.

RELEASE THE PANIC
Red
Essential Records (Provident Distribution)
0-83061-09472-0
Feb. 5

Following Until We Have Faces, which saw Red achieve several No. 1 radio singles (“Not Alone,” “Faceless,” “Who We Are,” “Buried Beneath”), a year on tour with Winter Jam, P.O.D. and Thousand Foot Krutch, Red offers its high-energy rock on its fourth recording, Release the Panic. Themes include facing mistakes, confronting mortality and the fear of showing one’s true self. 

RUN
Sanctus Real
Sparrow Records (EMI CMG)
5-09993-067312-0
Feb. 5

On Sanctus Real’s sixth studio album, Run, the band has written songs that promise to become encouraging anthems of hope and healing that listeners can cling to in trying times. Through their struggles and victories, the members of Sanctus Real have come to realize there’s only one place to run—into God’s arms—and to the promises in His Word. At press time, new radio single “Promises” was getting more than 1.5 million in audience each week.

THE INVISIBLE
Daniel Bashta
Integrity Music (Provident)
0-00768-51442-9
Feb. 5

Bashta, church worship leader and songwriter of “God’s Not Dead (Like A Lion)” (Newsboys), aims to guides listeners to a place closer to God while offering creative, bold and fresh worship music on The Invisible.  

ZION
Hillsong United
Hillsong/Sparrow Records (EMI CMG)
5-09999-09303-2-4
Feb. 26

After a two-year wait, Hillsong United releases Zion, a recording that reflects the realization that God is establishing His church through His people. Featuring 13 tracks, Zion sets the theme with the opening track “Relentless,” about God’s love.

• Prev
• Next