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JesusfreakHideout.com 2025 Friends of JfH Picks

 

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One of my favorite things about being on the JfH staff is compiling our annual Staff Picks. The music world is very different than it was twenty years ago, but there's no shortage of great music each year, and I love getting to highlight a huge chunk of it all at the end of the year.

I also love the friends and connections that the staff has made over the years. Many of us have gotten to know and make friends with some great people, from other members of media to fellow music loving friends to the artists themselves. So this year, I thought it would be fun to highlight some of these folks by posting their own top ten albums and songs of 2025.

It would've been a task of epic (and, more realistically, impossible) proportions to include everyone that I wanted to. In an effort to keep it to a maintainable workload (because yes, putting these lists together is rather time-consuming), I kept it to around the same number of people as the 2025 Staff Picks, while also trying to get a broad perspective on the scope of Christian music. Each person's list will have a link back to his or her website/social media, so you can check out and/or follow any of their content!

Special thanks to all the wonderful people listed below for their contributions!

-Scott Fryberger, 1/2/26

 

Top Albums of 2025


Grace Graber's Album Picks
Pop Punk Rock Artist

  1. It Needs To Be Said, Mitch Wong
  2. Trustfall, Stephen Stanley
  3. Plastic Wine, Strings and Heart
  4. King of Hearts, Brandon Lake
  5. Heaven On My Mind, TobyMac
  6. More Like You EP, BLVRS
  7. No Skips, bodie
  8. Mt. Zion, Josiah Queen
  9. Every December, Chris Renzema
  10. Better Days EP, Bay Turner



Top Songs of 2025


Grace Graber's Song Picks
Pop Punk Rock Artist

  1. "Greater Than All I Know," Sam Wesley
  2. "Why Do You Love Me?," Gable Price and Friends
  3. "This Far Down," Stephen Stanley
  4. "Enemies," Wavorly
  5. "Praise the Lord," Bay Turner
  6. "Hey At Least I'm Feeling Something," Magdalene Rose
  7. "Vouch 4 Me," Audiophile
  8. "I'll Be Right There," Ben Lawrence
  9. "Move," Lin D
  10. "Jesus Freak (feat. TobyMac)," Josiah Queen




Christopher Adam's Album Picks
"For the Rock" Christian Metal Ministry
  1. ...And The Word Was God, Diatheke
  2. There Was A Light Here, Demon Hunter
  3. Wasteland, Wolves at the Gate
  4. The Light That Failed To Cease, A Life Aligned
  5. Agony in the Garden, Testimony of Apocalypse
  6. As Long As I Am in the Tent of This Body I Will Make A Joyful Noise, Pt. 1, John Van Deusen
  7. Three Bar Cross EP, HolyName
  8. Darkness Remains, Hope Deferred
  9. Thrones EP, Unbroken Reign
  10. Deep Water, Cosmic Cathedral




Christopher Adam's Song Picks
"For the Rock" Christian Metal Ministry
  1. "Memento Mori," Wolves at the Gate
  2. "The Promise," Diatheke
  3. "The Curse (feat. Michael Felker)," REFORMED
  4. "Blood," HolyName
  5. "Words in the Wounds," Seth Davey
  6. "There Is A Life," Carry Your Cross
  7. "Margins," Amy Jay
  8. "Keepsake," Brotality
  9. "Can You Fix Me?," Magdalene Rose
  10. "Dry Bones Reimagined," Collapse//Revive




Dave Trout's Album Picks
"Under the Radar"
  1. As Long As I Am in the Tent of This Body I Will Make A Joyful Noise, Pt. 1, John Van Deusen
  2. Curioso, Wilder Woods
  3. The Call, Liz Vice
  4. Miracle Service EP, Andy Squyres
  5. Cosmic Supreme, John Mark McMillan
  6. Richest Man in the World, Ben Rector
  7. Winning Streak, Andy Gullahorn
  8. Memory Bank, Drew & Ellie Holcomb
  9. 77, Pt. 1, Colony House
  10. Dopamine and Jesus, Luke Bower




Dave Trout's Song Picks
"Under the Radar"
  1. "Miracle Service," Andy Squyres
  2. "Fear," NF
  3. "Cicada," Drakeford
  4. "You Never Let Go," John Van Deusen
  5. "Praying For Me (feat. Mat Kearney)," Ben Rector
  6. "Revival!," nobigdyl. & KB
  7. "Telephone Pole," Colony House
  8. "God Is In No Hurry," Andy Gullahorn
  9. "Never Been The Same," Liz Vice
  10. "Human Point of View," Gable Price and Friends




Paul Hyde's Album Picks
Small Step Records
  1. Make Me A Mountain, Nate Parrish
  2. Nevertake, Anberlin
  3. Silver Glass Stare, Plead the Widow's Cause
  4. Waves Within EP, Feeble Attempt
  5. Phantoms/Twenty, Acceptance
  6. 4:32 AM EP, Charming to the Last
  7. Take the Plunge, Feeble Attempt
  8. I Want To See Clearly, Sower
  9. Exit 9B EP, Sam Hauge
  10. Duality EP, In the Arena




Paul Hyde's Song Picks
Small Step Records
  1. "Unrequited Love II," Chasing Victory
  2. "Bona Fide Fake," Chives McAlister
  3. "The Obstacle is the Way (feat. Josh Kemble)," Humble Kings
  4. "Old Shirt, New Jacket," bloke.
  5. "Basement Show Therapy," Brave Days
  6. "Pool Hoppin," Twenty Something Summer
  7. "Moving On," Keep Warm
  8. "Flux Capacitor," seventimesdriven
  9. "The Best In Me (feat. Humble Kings)," Homeplate
  10. "Holy Forever," Jason Dunn




Phil Hawkins' Album Picks
"Tuned Up" Website
  1. There Was A Light Here, Demon Hunter
  2. I Felt Called, Fine China
  3. Big Sir EP, Crash Rickshaw
  4. Darkness Remains, Hope Deferred
  5. Silver Glass Stare, Plead the Widow's Cause
  6. GVTH DVDDY, GVTH DVDDY
  7. Midnight Gold, Ravenhill
  8. New Mexico, Anchor & Braille
  9. This Pain Will Serve You, Confessions of a Traitor
  10. From the Belly of the Beast EP, (UN)WORTHY




Phil Hawkins' Song Picks
"Tuned Up" Website
  1. "You Never Let Go," John Van Deusen
  2. "There Was A Light Here," Demon Hunter
  3. "Deer God," Ravenhill
  4. "Television Set," Fine China
  5. "Overdose (feat. Christian Lindskog)," Memphis May Fire
  6. "Ritual," HolyName
  7. "Sweet Jesus Knows," Anchor & Braille
  8. "Straight Forward," Bloodguilt
  9. "The Flayed (Bartholomew)," With Blood Comes Cleansing
  10. "Miracle Service," Andy Squyres




Micah Smith's Album Picks
Empty Atlas (Rock Band)
  1. Modern Worries, Tyson Motsenbocker
  2. Nevertake, Anberlin
  3. The Richest Man in the World, Ben Rector
  4. The And, Andy Mineo
  5. Wasteland, Wolves at the Gate
  6. With Blood Comes Cleansing, With Blood Comes Cleansing
  7. Reconstruction, Lecrae
  8. Shapeshifter, Memphis May Fire
  9. m us eum, Citizens
  10. As Long As I Am in the Tent of This Body I Will Make A Joyful Noise, Pt. 1, John Van Deusen




Micah Smith's Song Picks
Empty Atlas (Rock Band)
  1. "Come Back To Me (Father's Song)," Chris Renzema
  2. "I Will," Tyson Motsenbocker
  3. "Highwire," Colony House
  4. "Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry)," Lecrae
  5. "Regular," Andy Mineo
  6. "The Richest Man in the World," Ben Rector
  7. "Human Point of View," Gable Price and Friends
  8. "Surprised," Citizens
  9. "Memento Mori," Wolves at the Gate
  10. "Return To One (feat. Invent Animate)," Silent Planet




Clifford Close's Album Picks
"I'm Clifford Today" YouTuber
  1. As Long As I Am in the Tent of This Body I Will Make A Joyful Noise, Pt. 1, John Van Deusen
  2. Breach, Twenty One Pilots
  3. Modern Worries, Tyson Motsenbocker
  4. New Mexico, Anchor & Braille
  5. I Want To See Clearly, Sower
  6. In Your Field, Former Ruins
  7. Bongo Chico, Bongo Chico
  8. Settle In, Kevin Schlereth
  9. Forever Phase, Paul Meany
  10. This World Ain't Mine To Change, Fepeste




Clifford Close's Song Picks
"I'm Clifford Today" YouTuber
  1. "Jesus of Nazareth," John Van Deusen
  2. "All Things New," Zane Vickery
  3. "Center Mass," Twenty One Pilots
  4. "Born Again," Sower
  5. "Say the Word," Paul Meany




Chris Miller's Album Picks
FYR FYTR (Indie Band)
  1. Heavenly Places EP, Ethan Nathaniel
  2. Let God Come In, Cageless Birds
  3. Crown, Andrew Aged
  4. Forever Phase, Paul Meany
  5. I Felt Called, Fine China
  6. For the Love, Luke & Rosemary Skaggs
  7. Miracle Service EP, Andy Squyres
  8. Rediscovery, Zahriya Zachary
  9. Here In Our Home EP, Jono MacSorley
  10. Cosmic Supreme, John Mark McMillan




Chris Miller's Song Picks
FYR FYTR (Indie Band)
  1. "All My Life," John Mark McMillan
  2. "Blue Ridge Mountain Magic," Ethan Nathaniel
  3. "Miracle Service," Andy Squyres
  4. "Crown For You," Andrew Aged
  5. "Let God Come In," Cageless Birds
  6. "Dancing in the Kitchen," Andy Squyres
  7. "Your Voice," Jacob Early
  8. "Passio (feat. Molly Skaggs)," Luke & Rosemary Skaggs
  9. "Soft Landing," Liv Douglas
  10. "Lacuna," Zambroa




Kevin Schlereth's Album Picks
Singer / Songwriter
  1. Songs for the Anxious (Voice Memos), Sarah Sparks
  2. As Long As I Am in the Tent of This Body I Will Make A Joyful Noise, Pt. 1, John Van Deusen
  3. Unplugged, Vol. 2, nobigdyl.
  4. Holy Ghost Over Bent World Broods, Andrew Goins
  5. Miracle Service EP, Andy Squyres
  6. Are We There Yet, Katy Martin
  7. Fielder, Fielder
  8. The Way of Love, Tenielle Neda
  9. Jesus, Jon Guerra
  10. In Your Field, Former Ruins




Kevin Schlereth's Song Picks
Singer / Songwriter
  1. "Min vän Ebbe," Sara Drewitz
  2. "Dirt and Breath," Rachel Blackmon
  3. "No Better Friend (Voice Memo)," Sarah Sparks
  4. "Jesus of Nazareth," John Van Deusen
  5. "Back Into A Body," Former Ruins
  6. "7 Horns, 7 Eyes, 7 Seals (feat. Mattie Montgomery)," Irae
  7. "Baja Blast," Andy Squyres
  8. "Human Being," Wind Words
  9. "Nashville (Those Guys)," Benjamin Daniel
  10. "Rearview Mirror," Visitor Pass




Aidan Lytle's Album Picks
"Rambling Ever On" Website
  1. As Long As I Am in the Tent of This Body I Will Make A Joyful Noise, Pt. 1, John Van Deusen
  2. A Liturgy, A Legacy, & the Songs of Rich Mullins (Live), Andrew Peterson
  3. Jesus, Jon Guerra
  4. Curioso, Wilder Woods
  5. This Is Not The End, The Gray Havens
  6. Nevertheless, Hammock
  7. MATIN (Complete Edition), Jess Ray
  8. Cosmic Supreme, John Mark McMillan
  9. Translucent, The Choir
  10. Fielder, Fielder




Aidan Lytle's Song Picks
"Rambling Ever On" Website
  1. "By Gracious Powers," John Van Deusen
  2. "Sometimes By Step (Live) [feat. Skye Peterson]," Andrew Peterson
  3. "Wild Fire (feat. Maggie Rose)," Wilder Woods
  4. "Anywhere," The Gray Havens
  5. "Where You Call Home," NEEDTOBREATHE
  6. "In the Beginning Was Love," Jon Guerra
  7. "Beauty of the Lord," John Mark McMillan
  8. "Liles & Sparrows," Jess Ray
  9. "Deliver Us," Petra
  10. "No Greater Love," John Van Deusen




Loyd Harp's Album Picks
Call and Response Records
  1. I Felt Called, Fine China
  2. Big Sir EP, Crash Rickshaw
  3. Endure (2025 Mix), Clear Convictions
  4. Hospital Lens, Pulpit Vomit
  5. Ex Nihilo, Manta Birostris
  6. Bad Faith, Radium88
  7. Gemini, Slow Salvation
  8. Agony in the Garden, Testimony of Apocalypse
  9. Sucker EP, Tyler Sr & the Meadowlarks
  10. Melting Elements EP, Melting Elements

*Note: Loyd did not submit song picks*



 



Eric McClanahan's Album Picks
"InEverglow" Store
  1. Love Like Raindrops Made of Light, Young Oceans
  2. Child of God II, Forrest Frank
  3. Three Bar Cross EP, HolyName
  4. As Long As I Am in the Tent of This Body I Will Make A Joyful Noise, Pt. 1, John Van Deusen
  5. There Was A Light Here, Demon Hunter
  6. God is the End EP, Advent
  7. Fear EP, NF
  8. New Mexico, Anchor & Braille
  9. I Call This One EP, Gileah Taylor
  10. Consume Like A Moth What Is Dear, Ronnie Martin

*Note: Eric did not submit song picks*



 

 

 



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.NEEDTOBREATHE Announces New Album, "The Long Surrender," For Release March 27
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Music Out This Week


This Friday, January 23, 2026
ALBUMS
Dragons & Astronauts 11:28 (independent)
JusJames WHIL3 U WAIT - EP [Polished Arrow]
Tim Lovelace On a Different Note [StowTown]
Jamie MacDonald Jamie MacDonald [Capitol CMG]
Various Artists House of Worship [The Fuel]
VOTA Back to the Start (independent)

SINGLES
Gracie Binion Hosanna - Single [BEC]
CAIN So Long Sad Songs - Single [Provident]
Dubem Lately - Single [Syntax]
Jason Dunn Divided States of America - Single (independent)
ELEOS Fool's Gold - Single [Ocean House]
Elevation Worship SO BE IT - Single [Provident]
Grace Graber That's Who I Praise - Single (independent)
Jonah Greene I Need You - Single (independent)
Griffin Mega Church - Single [Polished Arrow]
Ian Austin, Brice Davis Like The Prodigal (Come Home) - Single [Ocean House]
Amber Lynn Yahweh (Your Will Your Way) - Single [Sonlite]
Daniel Mulkey Pass It On - Single (independent)
NEEDTOBREATHE The Long Surrender - Single [UMG]
Troy Patterson Creating Something - Single [Syntax]

Warren Peay Gimme a Hallelujah - Single [Integrity]
Heather Suzanne Kingdom Walls - Single [Ocean House]
tylerhateslife mental health (heaven's remix) - Single [Syntax]
Zane Walls NAH UH - Single (independent)
Katy Weirich The River - Single [Wings]
Zach Williams Wait For Me (feat. Ben Fuller) - Single [Provident]

Next Tuesday, January 27, 2026
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb I Will Kill The Worst Parts Of Myself - Single (independent)

Next Friday, January 30, 2026
ALBUMS
Dreamers let love be your highest goal. - EP [DREAM Worship]
Kingdmusic JOY (independent)
Eddy Mann The Unveiling [MTS]
We The Kingdom Dear Jesus [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
John Long The Perfect Love of Christ - Single [Ocean House]
Mainstream Worship & Josh Daughtry Fresh Start (Live) - Single [DREAM Worship]
Seph Schlueter Life With You - Single [Provident/Sony]
For all release dates, click here!
 

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