I know I say this every year, but this time I mean it. 2019 was the year that we were presented with the most hard hitting and poignant songs, as well as the most inspirational albums in recent memory. From songs like “Almost Home” (MercyMe), “Greater Than All My Regrets” (Tenth Avenue North), “Head Above Water” (Avril Lavigne), “The God Who Stays” (Matthew West), “Fear No Mor” (Building 429), “I Don’t Care” (Ed Sheeran), “Sucker” (Jonas Brothers), “If I Can’t Have You” (Shawn Mendes), “Miracle” (Tauren Wells), “Lose You To Love Me” (Selena Gomez), “AMEN” (Micah Tyler), “Unstoppable God” (Sanctus Real), “Rescue Story” (Zach Williams) and “Goodness Of God” (Bethel Music); to albums like No Shame (Tenth Avenue North), Head Above Water (Avril Lavigne), Spectrum (Westlife), People (UNITED), Native Tongue (Switchfoot), Ocean (Lady Antebellum), No. 6 Collaborations Project (Ed Sheeran), UNITED (newsboys), Out Of My Hands (Mallary Hope), Unstoppable God (Sanctus Real), Rescue Story (Zach Williams), Reason (Unspoken), Victory (Bethel Music), GIRL (Maren Morris), Haven’t Seen It Yet (Danny Gokey) and the highly controversial Jesus Is King (Kanye West) – this year had it all. Sweeping ballads, head banging rockers, introspective tear-jerkers and just plain fun pop tunes to dance to. And now that it is nearing 2020, it’s that time again in our best of series. To talk about our most anticipated albums for the upcoming year ahead in 2020. So now without further ado, let me list 15 albums that will release within the next twelve months, of which I am anticipating. So which albums are you looking forward to?
1. The Church Will Sing – Volume 1 (January 3rd)
RIYL: Passion, Bethel, Planetshakers, UPPERROOM
2. Echosmith – Lonely Generation (January 10th)
RIYL: for KING AND COUNTRY, Aly & AJ, Everlife, UNITED
3. Selena Gomez – Rare (January 10th)
RIYL: Demi Lovato, Justin Bieber, Lauren Daigle, Stacie Orrico
4. Tauren Wells – Citizen of Heaven (January 24th)
RIYL: Michael Jackson, Royal Tailor, Anthem Lights, TobyMac
5. Colony House – Leave What’s Lost Behind (January 24th)
RIYL: needtobreathe, Ben Rector, Andrew Peterson, Jason Mraz
6. Matt Redman – Let There Be Wonder (January 31st)
RIYL: Tim Hughes, Chris Tomlin, Crowder, Christy Nockels
7. We Are Messengers – Power (January 31st)
RIYL: Delirious?, Newsboys, OneRepublic, Philippa Hanna
8. Matthew West – Brand New (February 14th)
RIYL: Brandon Heath, Josh Wilson, Sidewalk Prophets, MercyMe
9. Avalon – Called (February 14th)
RIYL: Point of Grace, Jason Crabb, FFH, Caedmon’s Call
10. Elle Limebear – Lost in Wonder (February 28th)
RIYL: Rend Collective, Soul Survivor, one sonic society, Lou Fellingham
11. MercyMe – The Spaceman (TBA April)
RIYL: Casting Crowns, Third Day, Audio Adrenaline, Jars of Clay
12. OneRepublic – Human (Release Date TBA)
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DXbZBKpgxsyXU
RIYL: Coldplay, Daughtry, Lifehouse, The Fray
13. The Young Escape – Untitled debut album (Release Date TBA 2020)
RIYL: Rachael Lampa, Riley Clemmons, Urban Rescue, Love & The Outcome
14. Evanescence – Untitled Rock Album (Release Date TBA 2020)
RIYL: Flyleaf, Skillet, Switchfoot, Fireflight
15. Rebecca St. James – Untitled Worship Album (Release Date TBA 2020)
RIYL: Nichole Nordeman, Meredith Andrews, Francesca Battistelli, Natalie Grant