1. The Ember Days

A five-piece indie outfit from New Zealand, The Ember Days is notable for their transparent approach to worship alongside mellow instrumentation. There is certain poignancy to their lyricism, echoing candid prayers and intimate reflections on God's grace. Perhaps my favorite thing about The Ember Days is the fact they are excellent at building up their sound throughout a song, creating a perfect space for letting go.

"You healed the lepers when they called your name, you healed the broken, will you heal me?"

Songs I recommend: "Face in the Dark," "Awake," "It Is Well."

2. Lovelite

You will be hard-pressed to find another group like Lovelite in the Christian music scene. Led by the married duo of Andrew and Jen Polfer, Lovelite's atmospheric sound is incredibly moving, wholly unique, and purely intimate. Andrew and Jen are incredible writers able to capture the feeling of yearning to be closer to God.

Songs I recommend: "Nearness," "Apathy," "I Belong."

3. Page CXVI

Built around the idea of making hymns accessible and meaningful in today's age, Page CXVI commits to their mission by pairing hymns with synthesizers and electronic instrumentation. If that does not interest you enough, maybe the fact that their name is in reference to the page number in "The Magician’s Nephew" by C.S. Lewis which tells of Aslan singing Narnia into creation will.

Songs I recommend: "Be Still My Soul," "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," "Oh to Be Loved."

4. Rivers & Robots

Hailing from Manchester, these guys are great. Rivers & Robots teeters between indie folk and electronica accompanied by echoing harmonies. Everything about their sound simply defies common tropes of the contemporary worship scene. Infectious and wholly dedicated to singing of the church as over comers, these guys are on the rise.

Songs I recommend: "We Have Overcome," "You Saved My Soul," "Washes."

5. The Brilliance

This worship duo is comprised of David Gungor and John Arndt (both former members of Michael Gungor Band). Expect beautiful harmonies and heartbreaking lyrics. Lacing elements of classical and experimental music layered over string accompaniments, David and John fashion very intimate creations.

"When I look into the face, of my enemy, I see my brother..."

Songs I recommend: "Brother," "Rescue Me," "Mercy."

6. Least Of These

Least Of These is a post-hardcore group from Texas you might not consider as your typical worship group but do not underestimate the emotion these guys put into their songs both lyrically and instrumentally. Least Of These is not afraid to be honest with the listener and speak about seasons of doubt and trials, often mirroring their guitar riffs to match the emotions on the track.

Songs I recommend: "Torches," "Carry Me," "Filthy Man."

7. Loud Harp

Asher Seevinck and Dave Wilton describe Loud Harp as "shoe-gaze, meets Peter Gabriel, meets the Holy Spirit." Expect prayers and psalms arranged into ambient indie rock riffs. Loud Harp is the kind of sound you yearn for while on the road, reflecting on struggles, identity, and praise.

Songs I recommend: "(73) the Nearness," "Hold Me Together," "(27) Take Heart."

8. The Sing Team

A merry ensemble hailing from Mars Hill Church in Seattle, The Sing Team often writes straight out of psalms and uses various different instruments to create a nearly danceable, jubilant sound. Listening to The Sing Team feels as if you were present in their laid back worship sessions surrounded by friends and family.

Songs I recommend: "Satisfied in You (Psalm 42)," "Oh! Great Is Our God!," "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."

9. Beautiful Eulogy

Described as "coffee shop rap," this trio comprised of Braille, Odd Thomas and Courtland Urbano is truly a group to follow. The amount of detail they invest in each song lyrically is astounding and the way they tackle tough topics is ingenious and respectful. At their best, Beautiful Eulogy curates music any believer can associate and relate with.

"How sweet the Gospel sounds to ears like mine. Well acquainted with pain and strained relationships. Friendships that suffer from long distances. Or even worse they get severed from something more severe."

Songs I recommend: "Beautiful Eulogy," Acquired In Heaven," "Instruments Of Mercy."

10. Ghost Ship

Another Mars Hill alum, Ghost Ship's marries rustic indie folk with lyrics wholly in love with the person of Jesus. Ghost Ship is exceptional at imbedding theology and gospel stories into their songs, most evident in their track "Where Were You," inspired by Job (chapter 38). Their latest album, "Costly" is out August 28.

"He said where were you the day that I measured, sunk the banks and stretched the line over, all the earth and carved out its corner stone?"

Songs I recommend: "Mediator," "Adoption," "Where Were You."

11. Steffany Gretzinger

Branching out of Bethel, Gretzinger's debut album"The Undoing"is honest, self-reflecting and inspiring. You can certainly feel the passion behind every note as if the album was leaping out of Gretzinger's own journal. As a writer, Gretzinger is excellent, this is most evident in her track "Out Of Hiding" written from the perspective of Jesus...yeah, you should go listen to this right now.

Songs I recommend: "Steady Heart," "Out Of Hiding," "No Fear In Love."

12. Citizens & Saints

These guys are something else entirely. Imagine if Tokyo Police Club (or your own favorite indie rockers) wrote about Jesus and you pretty much have Citizens & Saints. Their songs are full of explosive indie rock riffs and solos. Listen to their “Already Not Yet" release to see them put their own spin on classic hymns.

Songs I recommend: "Amazing Grace," "Nothing but the Blood," "You Brought Me Back to Life."

13. Cageless Birds

Cageless Birds is the definition of community. Helmed by husband and wife, Jonathan and Melissa Helser, the two have created a beautiful collection of live songs inviting the believer into their home and collective. Now part of Bethel Music, Cageless Birds is unquestionably a group to watch.

Songs I recommend: "Mt. Zion," "Beautiful," "Invitation."

14. Propaganda

On the same label as Beautiful Eulogy, Propaganda tackles hard topics through spoken word and rap. Prop is incredibly socially conscious yet always approaches topics with a respectable humility. If you enjoy hip-hop and like to be challenged, Propaganda is for you.

"I'm the son of a Black Panther, with a Mexican spouse and Caucasian best friends. And my writing tone, now, is not one that offers you a neat little bow to tie all your little problems up with, I learned enough to know that I don't know that much."

Songs I Recommend: "Crimson Cord," "Don't Listen To Me," "Excellent."

15. Rend Collective

Formerly "Rend Collective Experiment," you could certainly say the "experiment" was successful. The result is a Northern Irish band with a whole lot of heart and a contagious amount of fun. Rend Collective is the type of band that reinvents what worship is seen as, incorporating various instrumentation; their songs are pure fun, allowing you to come to God as a child. Their latest record, "As Family We Go" is out August 21.

Songs I recommend: "You Bled," "My Lighthouse," "Come On My Soul."