Louder Than The Music

I'm sure you are used to being told by the world, you must get this, you must buy this. It's all marketing hype, on TV, billboards and pretty much everywhere. Yet I really wanted to recommend five albums that you should think about looking into. So here are my big top tips for the summer.

1. Tom Smith - Sound Of Heaven

At LTTM we get sent a lot of music to listen to, so it does take a lot for an EP to really stick out, especially when a lot of Christian music can sound the same sometimes! This EP stuck out like nothing we have heard in a long time. I even had to send Tom a message saying 'This is Epic'. From the moment the tracks play, it's in your face music that is so cool and trendy.

Tom has managed to make a bunch of songs that are truly enjoyable from the off. If anything, there must be more to come from Tom, because this EP isn't enough. He will be playing Soul Survivor this year, so if you are at that amazing conference go and buy his EP and tell him that Dynamite (opening track) just blew your musical mind.

2. Matt Richley - Awakening

This release is brilliant, Matt fits so much in on this EP with 6 songs that work together so well. Matt has a great vocal which is at times gritty and rich, yet still sounds vulnerable. These songs don't just keep to the same melodic lines and lyrics that can sometimes get reused over and over. They are a mixed bag of styles and sounds which gel together.

Matt approaches these songs as personal moments of how he feels about God, yet they are still accessible to anybody who has the same heart as his. Get these songs and spend some time exploring the themes Matt approaches. This guy is doing some amazing stuff.

3. Ben Thomas - Bring Forth

Where do I start with this album? I listened to it and instantly got blown away, then every time I revisit it, I get blown away again. Not many albums do that to you!

This isn't a guy who has stolen all the best hymns and 're-done them'. Ben has taken these hymns, and not the obvious ones either, taken the heart of the songs and flipped it upside down, turned it inside out, added a cool indie feel to it, sprinkled a massive dollop of creativity, and turned the song around again whilst still keeping the hear of the original hymn, without it sounding like the original song (does that make sense?). Only a true musical genius can pull off an album like this, and Ben Thomas has made something really special here.

4. Jenn Bostic - Faithful

Jenn's music is new to me. I was told by someone on twitter 'she isn't a new artist', but to me I am discovering her for the first time. And with this album Faithful I am loving the sounds that she is creating.

Yet it's those vocals that really draw the listener in. Jenn makes songs that make you want to sing along, songs that make you cry, and songs that make you happy. If an artist can make you feel all these emotions in one album, then it's well worth listening to.

Her music feels fresh and exciting and I for one can't wait to hear more of her songs, especially in a live context, in the future.

5. Bright City - Bright City

This album is a real must this summer. In a way it doesn't have the big name artist to push the album along, and it keeps everything fresh and real in regards to the look of the album and the overall vibe of what is happening on it.

The album has so many great vocalists and I could find no fault in any of them, they all sound beautiful and brilliant for different reasons. Musically this album is not just powerful, it's also elegant and beautiful, it's creative and engaging and it's all about our Creator. The album lyrics all deal with many different topics, but always point back towards the Creator. With these songs there is a raw and simple honesty and that's where its quality lies, it doesn't try and be too clever or 'out there' for the sake of it. This is an album that is creative musically, fresh sounding and honest. We tell you about many albums to purchase on LTTM, but this one is a must.

Jono