15 Christian Artists Redefining What Faith Sounds Like

In past Christmas seasons, I found it hard to find religious Christmas decor, but this year I saw it everywhere, from Target to Rifle Paper Co. to our local boutiques. In fact, some Christian retailers and manufacturers have said they can hardly keep up with the new demand for Christian products.

The arts are no exception to this revival. There’s a blossoming renaissance in Christian art and music, with many artists stretching the very definition of what it means to make Christian music. While there are still plenty of popular artists making what’s known as Contemporary Christian Music, there are many new artists whose work proves that Christianity isn’t a musical genre. Instead, it’s a lens, or a heart posture, through which to create beautiful and meaningful works of art.

My Own Journey with Christian Music

As a singer-songwriter, this topic is very personal to me. Growing up in a Christian home, I listened to Christian artists like Eli, Switchfoot, Reliant K, and Superchick as a kid. The fact that their music had intentional spiritual meaning inspired me as an artist and as a young person.

However, the rawness, creativity, and experimental aspects of secular music soon drew my attention. Groups like Bright Eyes, Bon Iver, and The Cure seemed to be speaking to the human experience on a level Christian artists might appear to gloss over: the real burning pain of heartache, the messiness of an imperfect life, and the quiet despair of modern living.

While drifting from my faith as a young adult, I listened almost exclusively to secular music. I did, however, find myself drawn to religious music from other parts of the world, like Indonesian gamelan or Persian music, which have inherent spiritual themes and intentions. In fact, I largely studied world music in college because it was spiritual without being Christian. The Christian music I was hearing at the time, if I heard any at all, seemed too cheesy to me as an outsider to capture my imagination as an artist.

What happened next surprised me. After I got married, had kids, and felt inexplicably drawn to make my relationship with God something I could share in ritual and tradition with my family, I began a slow breakup with my normal listening habits. Groups I used to love for their sound and lyrics now disappointed me with their constant praise and even crowdfunding of things like abortion. Others I used to deeply connect with now felt stagnant as they continued to write dating and breakup songs late into their forties. For a long time, I found myself hardly listening to music at all.

Slowly, artist by artist, I began to discover a different sort of music. As I collected a longer list of new Christian artists, I began to have something that felt worth sharing. And more than that, I once again had music that could help me in the ways that only music can.

Recently, our family went through unexpected loss and hardship. During a pivotal moment, I put on my playlist of new Christian music and felt God’s comfort in my anxiety and uncertainty. In particular, the lyrics of Former Ruins’ song “To Wonder” reminded me to look for God during life’s most difficult and consequential moments. With this reminder, even while experiencing suffering and grief, I was able to see God’s hand in our lives.

My interest in this musical renaissance comes not only from my own musical background, but from my experience as a listener in need of something that can soothe my aching soul. The idea that music can incorporate the creativity and innovation I enjoy in secular music, while holding the hope, introspection, and spirituality of Christianity, is not only a very exciting one, but it’s what the world wants, and indeed needs, more than ever before.

Here are 15 artists who are making this sort of Christian music. You can follow along with this playlist on Spotify or Apple Music.

Allie Paige – “Teaching Me Again”

Influenced by Brazilian and reggae music, Allie Paige has the kind of upbeat, unique sound that would be totally at home on your local college radio station. This track off her recent album, His World, explores her dependence on God’s love through the metaphor of a flower reaching its face toward the sun.

Former Ruins – “To Wonder”

If you’re a fan of indie rock groups like The National or War on Drugs, your ears will thank you for checking out Former Ruins. This particular song appears on his 2025 album, In Your Field. As I mentioned above, it’s a gorgeous meditation on the idea that at every pivotal moment, we risk missing an encounter with God if we aren’t willing to quiet ourselves enough to hear Him.

Josh Garrels – “A Long Way”

Josh Garrels is a Christian folk singer-songwriter known for his pastoral indie sound that sometimes dips its toes into hip-hop. This track is from his album Home and focuses on themes of forgiveness, family, and sacrifice. If you like the Midwestern folk sound of groups like Bon Iver, you’ll love the sonic world of Josh Garrels.

The Hillbilly Thomists – “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say”

If you’ve been wondering when you’ll be able to hear a bluegrass band solely comprised of friars from the Province of St. Joseph of the Dominican Order, the time has come. The Hillbilly Thomists are a Billboard-charting group that performs their own original songs as well as traditional hymns and other covers. I had to pick this track for the playlist because it’s one of my favorite versions of one of my favorite hymns.

Andy Squyres – “There’s No Way That I Can Love You Any More”

This song focuses on a particular gift from God: the love between a husband and wife. With the album title Sacred Vows, Andy Squyres appreciates the sacramental nature of marriage as well as the day-to-day romance and joy it can bring. Great for anything from cooking to driving, you’re sure to find yourself singing along with this one.

M.I.A. – “The One”

If you already know any of the artists on this list, you probably know M.I.A., first famous for her song “Paper Planes,” which was featured in the 2008 Academy Award-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire. Although she grew up Hindu, Maya Arulpragasam, known as M.I.A., had a vision of Jesus Christ in 2017 that led to her conversion to Christianity. With this in mind, I hear the chorus of “The One” as the voice of God speaking to all searching hearts.

Taylor Armstrong – “Canyon”

For fans of the folky flavors of artists like The Tallest Man on Earth, Taylor Armstrong’s “Canyon” is an ode to God’s unchanging love and how it can fill us completely if we let it. Armstrong echoes the simplicity of this evergreen message with acoustic guitar, drums, and vocal harmonies that inspire an internal confidence in the divine.

Jonathan Ogden – “Be My Peace”

This short but undeniably sweet track by Jonathan Ogden finds peace in God even amidst the chaos and suffering of life. With tasteful instrumentation and understated vocals, Ogden’s focus is certainly on message over flashiness. You’ll leave this one feeling calmer and more grounded in truth.

Sondae – “YOURS”

Sitting inexplicably between indie pop, R&B, rap, and worship music, Sondae makes emotional and hard-hitting tracks that explore biblical themes. “YOURS” finds him asking to hear God’s voice from a place of humility.

Strings & Heart – “good shepherd”

Known for their “indie Christian” sound, Strings & Heart is a band made up of three brothers. The gentle folk feel of their song “good shepherd” would fit perfectly on any coffee shop playlist, with the brothers’ harmonies bringing an instant sense of peace to any room.

Kings Kaleidoscope – “Day By Day”

The colorful, upbeat sound of Kings Kaleidoscope recalls indie rock groups like Wolf Parade and TV on the Radio. “Day By Day” describes the process of sanctification and spiritual transformation.

Caleb Gordon – “Rivers of Zion”

Caleb Gordon is making a name for himself with his own blend of rap and Christian ministry. With “Rivers of Zion,” he leans into a classic reggae sound that’s undeniably catchy. The song explores the power, glory, and intimate love of God.

Maria, etc. – “This Old Life”

Self-described singer-songwriter and elementary school teacher Maria, etc.’s work reflects the delicate songwriting of artists like Joni Mitchell and Neko Case. While many of her songs aren’t overtly religious, “This Old Life” takes a more direct approach and dwells on a G.K. Chesterton quote that suggests there is a purposeful Creator.

Jess Ray – “Morning Song”

Jess Ray’s sound is as lovely as it is raw. “Morning Song” caught my attention with vulnerable lines that read like a prayer. The song explores both our love of and need for God.

Poor Clare Sisters, Arundel – “My Love For You”

Similarly surprising to the Hillbilly Thomists’ membership, this group is comprised of cloistered nuns who sing meditative choral music. Drawing on Latin hymns, Franciscan texts, and other spiritual writings, the result is uniquely calming and moving. Whenever you need a spiritual reset, I recommend putting on the Poor Clare Sisters.

A New Horizon for Christian Music

One thing you’ll notice as you listen along is that some of these artists explicitly mention Jesus Christ or God, while others don’t. Some sound more worship- or praise-adjacent than others. Some explore biblical themes, while others focus on daily human life.

What I hope you’ll notice they all have in common is a grounding in the deep tradition and teachings of Christianity. With different musical expressions, personal backgrounds, and denominations, they’re all using their God-given artistic abilities to create something beautiful that, in their own way, honors God and His creation.

This list is by no means exhaustive. There are surely many other artists creating music in a similar vein, and I’m still discovering them myself. I should also mention that I do still listen to secular music, too. In fact, I often find myself identifying biblical themes within secular songs. But if you’re someone who loves music that uplifts rather than degrades, that draws our focus toward loving others and loving God rather than toward ourselves, and if you crave spiritual depth in the music that fills your rooms, ears, and heart, then I hope you’ll find this playlist to be a good place to start. These songs are sure to remind you that there is a God who sees you, loves you, and knows you by name.