I found Jon’s music over two years ago and he became one of my favorite artists. Your review summarizes what his music means to me and his writing style.
"The music swept over my lowered defenses, permeating the membrane of my soul, lifting me up in something like rapture. By the end of the set I felt wrung out, raw, and at peace."
I found the "Jesus" record and the "American Gospel" EP at the same time, in mid April 2025 and have been undone by them ever since. I can't stop thinking about the lyrics. Super challenging and encouraging at the same time. Not not not not not easy listening. "reckoner," "where your treasure is," and "love your enemies," among others are just devastatingly powerful using mostly the quoted words of Christ. And I agree with the Keith Green connection, and I'd add Rich Mullins as well - maybe the 2 greatest CCM songwriters. But to me this music completely stands apart and is incredible - like early Bob Dylan or something, just of another kind entirely. It grabbed me by the shirt and shakes me up and down and won't let go.
You summed it up so well. “Here is an artist unabashed in his devotion, unashamed in his expression of vulnerability, earnest in his desire to see the face of God, and seemingly unconcerned with who else may be listening.” Thanks for writing!
I found Jon’s music over two years ago and he became one of my favorite artists. Your review summarizes what his music means to me and his writing style.
Jon has become my favorite song writer over the past year or two. His voice is prophetic and powerful and so tuned into Jesus’s heart.
I completely relate with this part you wrote:
"The music swept over my lowered defenses, permeating the membrane of my soul, lifting me up in something like rapture. By the end of the set I felt wrung out, raw, and at peace."
I found the "Jesus" record and the "American Gospel" EP at the same time, in mid April 2025 and have been undone by them ever since. I can't stop thinking about the lyrics. Super challenging and encouraging at the same time. Not not not not not easy listening. "reckoner," "where your treasure is," and "love your enemies," among others are just devastatingly powerful using mostly the quoted words of Christ. And I agree with the Keith Green connection, and I'd add Rich Mullins as well - maybe the 2 greatest CCM songwriters. But to me this music completely stands apart and is incredible - like early Bob Dylan or something, just of another kind entirely. It grabbed me by the shirt and shakes me up and down and won't let go.
You summed it up so well. “Here is an artist unabashed in his devotion, unashamed in his expression of vulnerability, earnest in his desire to see the face of God, and seemingly unconcerned with who else may be listening.” Thanks for writing!
You have put perfect words to the feelings I have about Jon’s music as well. Thank you!