Josiah Queen “Mt. Zion” Album Review

Prime Cuts: The Meaning of Life, Mt. Zion, Cloud and Fire

Overall Grade: 3.75/5

CCM comes in cycles: when the market is oversaturated with slick, synth-layered worship ballads, listeners often long for something more rustic. Josiah Queen arrives at this critical juncture with folk-pop worship that isn't afraid to bring out the banjo, offering a refreshing breath of air. It's no surprise that his 2024 debut album, The Prodigal, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, an impressive feat for a first project. Mt. Zion does not radically change the formula; rather, it advances further into folk-pop worship territory, this time with the help of stalwarts such as Brandon Lake, Benjamin William Hastings, and Gable Price. The success is already evident: lead single "Can't Steal My Joy" (feat. Brandon Lake) garnered around 12.5 million streams in the first three months following its January release.

Fans of his debut will find much to savor here. "Two Wooden Beams" stands out as one of the most powerful tracks, distilling the mystery of the cross into simple, haunting imagery, while "Dusty Bibles" offers a timely call to reawaken faith in seasons of spiritual dryness. "Can't Steal My Joy" is among the brightest and most infectious moments on Mt. Zion, built on a jubilant groove and a sing-along chorus that radiates the unshakable joy found in Christ regardless of circumstance.

Queen has shared that this record is more introspective, a shift reflected in tracks like "The Meaning of Life." Each verse redirects the listener from chasing fleeting goals to embracing the steadfast presence of God who satisfies the soul, creating a musical sanctuary that ushers listeners from striving to surrender. In "Adonai (Lord of My Life)," Queen delves fully into worship, beginning with a simple, quiet melody that gradually builds into a powerful chorus, mirroring the emotional journey of yielding one's life to God's will.

However, the record is not without flaws. Tracks such as "Mt. Zion" and "Cloud and Fire" are rich in Old Testament imagery, yet beyond a superficial application, the songs don't engage deeply with the richness of God's Word. A second, perennial weakness among singer-songwriters emerges in the album's overall structure: the country-folk approach is refreshing, but its repeated application across 12 tracks can feel a bit draining.

 

 

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