If the only thing Andy Squyres released in 2025 was his Miracle Service EP, I doubt anyone would have complained. That 4-song offering easily ranked among the best tracks released by a Christian artist last year. However, the North Carolina troubadour was not to be deterred. He had another 4-song EP up his sleeve to release later in the year: Sacred Vows. As you might guess from that title, this EP revolves around love songs Squyres wrote for his wife. This is something of a departure for him, as his songs usually deal with down-to-earth yet worshipful songs about scraping by in life. If his usual fare is moody and contemplative, how do his love songs turn out?

From the start of the EP with "Dancing in the Kitchen," you might be tempted to think there's not much difference. The opening line goes, "Like a long-haul trucker/I'm another sucker/Punching through the heartache of the night." As the track continues, though, you realize what he's lamenting is the fact that he's away from home and his wife. The next two tracks, "There's No Way That I Can Love You Anymore" and "Utah by Tomorrow," are the more general songs of endearment, weaving past and present experiences together to form a touching tapestry of love. The former track contains the great line, "I did not deserve you/Your mother was right/Roll up my sleeves/Set the world right." "BAD DECISIONS" closes out the EP and is the most similar to Squyres' usual work. As he examines his own faults, and how he's grown in wisdom, he ultimately concludes, "I know I love you, baby/And I know that you love me."

Despite the thematic differences between the two 2025 EPs, they feel cut from the same cloth musically. These love songs don't bubble over with sugary pop sounds, but there is a pop element to their compositions. Folk/pop may sound like a funny combination, but that's the lane Squyres is veering into here. You have electronic beats and voice modulation intertwined with rich piano and soft acoustic guitar. It forms a unique sound that matches the playfulness of the lyrics, while complementing how homespun they are.

Andy Squyres continues to carve his niche in the indie sphere and even beyond (Forrest Frank gave a shoutout to "Dancing in the Kitchen" on social media). The attention is well-deserved. His knack for crafting slice-of-life songs that feel meaningful is impressive to experience. While his Sacred Vows EP may have been something of a risk, I'm glad he took the chance. These 4 tracks may not contain the same level of melancholy as his other recent work, but it is refreshing to get a batch of songs that celebrate a marriage that's been enduring for a while now. If you're looking for some unique love songs to add to your listening rotation, Andy Squyres has just what you need.

- Review date: 2/4/26, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com

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