It’s fall, which means it’s the perfect season to put on some folk classics. But alongside the old favorites, there are plenty of new records worth adding to the rotation. Here are seven Christian indie folk albums from this year you should check out.
Jervis Campbell — good grief!
Jervis Campbell has steadily grown from an independent artist uploading songs online to one of the most recognizable names in Christian folk. His catalog is full of songs that refuse to separate vulnerability from faith, often blending rock grit with acoustic warmth. good grief! continues that trajectory, showing how Campbell can pair confessional songwriting with a sense of resilience.
Luke Bower — Dopamine and Jesus
Few albums this year feel as unguarded as Luke Bower’s. Dopamine and Jesus is a collision of two hungers: the quick fix and the eternal one. His lyrics land like late-night journal entries — “I want what I can’t hold, I chase what I can’t keep” — set against acoustic textures that unravel just as they settle in. Think Elliott Smith if he grew up in youth group. Bower doesn’t tie anything up neatly, and that’s the point. The songs linger because they admit how hard it is to live in between.
Leslie Jordan – The Agonist
Leslie Jordan, formerly one-half of All Sons & Daughters, returns in 2025 with The Agonist, her first solo folk album and one deeply rooted in personal history. When we spoke about her album in the spring, she shared that she had drawn inspiration from her late grandfather’s journals, poems and confessions — pieces he never could publicly share — and turned them into a narrative about redemption and legacy. Rather than chasing Christian radio or worship formats, Jordan embraces traditional folk storytelling. The result is her boldest statement yet: she’s no longer just part of a duo. She’s telling her own story, mess and all.
Josiah Queen — Mt. Zion
Josiah Queen has quickly gone from small-room gigs to a leading voice in modern Christian folk. His music blends biblical imagery with folk-pop sensibilities that connect with a wide audience. Mt. Zion reinforces his ability to write songs that feel intimate and communal at the same time, cementing his place as one of the genre’s breakout figures.
Jimmy Clifton — Crucified in Christ
Jimmy Clifton stands out for his stripped-down approach. He leans into acoustic minimalism, allowing his lyrics and vocals to take center stage. Clifton’s work feels timeless, echoing older traditions of folk and hymnody. His 2025 project, Crucified in Christ, reflects his continued dedication to simplicity and spiritual depth.
Sarah Spark — Into the Lantern Waste Voice Memos
Sarah Spark has built a career on songs that feel both literary and deeply personal, weaving faith and storytelling into folk that’s unafraid of vulnerability. Her 2014 album Into the Lantern Waste introduced her as a thoughtful voice with a knack for spiritual metaphor. A decade later she’s revisited the project with Into the Lantern Waste Voice Memos, a stripped-down companion that trades polish for intimacy. It’s a reminder of what makes Spark stand out: her willingness to reimagine her own work and keep things raw enough to feel human.
Rend Collective — FOLK!
Rend Collective has long brought a sense of energy and playfulness to worship and folk music. Their communal, foot-stomping style has made them festival favorites and a staple in church settings alike. With Folk!, they return to their roots, embracing the celebratory side of folk with a record that matches their reputation for joy and togetherness.
Indie folk doesn’t hide well. It’s intimate by design. These seven albums prove that when Christian artists take risks — whether through lo-fi experiments, mountain-sized anthems or unflinching laments — the results don’t just hold up against the broader folk scene. They expand it.
