Andy Squyres is perhaps the best kept secret of the indie Christian scene. If I had to put him in a box, I'd describe him as an indie worship artist akin to John Mark McMillan. But then you might look at the track list of his latest EP, Miracle Service, and wonder how tracks titled "Baja Blast" or "Jeff Buckley" have anything to do with worship. That, my friend, is the treasure trove that is Squyres' music: the down-to-earth discovery of finding worship in the menial, everyday things. Tired of repetitive choruses full of overused cliches? Consider the almost stream-of-consciousness approach Squyres employs on his latest EP.

In many ways, the short 4 tracks of Miracle Service serve as an encapsulation of where Squyres has come from. The muted pop/folk sound of 2015's Cherry Blossoms returns, though this time mixed with the gut-level maturity of 2021's Poet Priest. The result is a little EP that gently pushes back against hopeless postmodernism with songs mixed with humor, hope, tragedy, and realism. These tracks are at once contemplative and thought-provoking while carrying melodies that encourage the listener to sing along (especially with strong choruses on the title track and "Jeff Buckley").

The message of these songs stares open-eyed at the struggles we face, but never loses sight of the hope we have in Christ. Each song deals with this in its own way, but "Baja Blast" serves as the greatest example. While recounting the funeral of a friend who passed from cancer, Squyres sings, "I moaned a bitter moaning/I sang the sweetest song/With my disappointed people/To our disappointing God." However, he follows this up with the pastor admitting he didn't have answers. Then Squyres sings, "That is when we knew our precious Lord was in our midst." This is the kind of tenacious faith Squyres leads his listeners to: one that doesn't take failure and pain as a reason to doubt. Instead, faith endures. It is all at once child-like and full of depth. This is expressed when a choir of children join the chorus of the title track to sing, "Dash me on the Rock of Ages/Let me break as darkness rages/Anything to feel Your love again."

While it's been a while since Andy Squyres has released a package of music like this, he hasn't been entirely silent. His Poet Priest essay books have filled the void somewhat as well as a single ("Death Defying Joy"). However, the return of a multi-track release (even if it's only 4 tunes) is a welcome one. If you're at a point in your faith where you need something beyond trite sayings and expressions, there's a Miracle Service you should check out.

- Review date: 6/16/25, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com

Record Label: None
Album length: 4 tracks: 16 minutes, 56 seconds
Street Date: June 6, 2025
Buy It: Apple Music
Buy It: Amazon Music

1. Gutter Punk (4:21)
2. Miracle Service (4:04)
3. Baja Blast (3:43)
4. Jeff Buckley (4:46)