In May of 2025, Andy Squyres released Miracle Service, a 4-song EP and the start of a trilogy. While subdued in its sound, the EP carried all the down-to-earth faith wrestling that won Squyres fans with his last album, Poet Priest. Then in the fall, Squyres released the second EP of his trilogy, Sacred Vows. While musically consistent with its predecessor, it found Squyres exploring new ground with 4 songs based around love and marriage. Now, the final entry in his EP trilogy is complete with Praise Songs. In many ways, this EP is Squyres returning to his roots. His debut album, Cherry Blossoms, was more of a straightforward worship record. However, the difference between that early album and this later EP is that the smaller collection combines all the other elements of this trilogy into an open expression of gratitude for the goodness of God.

One way you see Squyres combining all he's learned comes in the opening track, "Sing Your Glory." At the end of the first chorus, he declares, "You're not making this very easy/I'm packing my bags and leaving." He doesn't resolve the tension of that line until he comes around to the chorus again, this time adding a new section that begins with, "Just kidding, where else would I go?" References to struggling with faith are also found on "Mountain of Transfiguration," where Squyres sings, "Sunset in a parking lot/Praying prayers I haven't got/Looking for a miracle/In a Dollar General." However, he ultimately concludes, "This is God's exact location/Mountain of Transfiguration." Indeed, for all the admissions of struggle found on this EP, it's overwhelmed by an overflow of praise. This is perhaps best expressed on the closing track "I Praise You God," when Squyres sings, "After I die I will have no more chances/To love you from impossible circumstances/So even if all of my prayers go unanswered/Thank you for all of these days."

All of this is underscored by the subdued pop/folk sound that has been running through this EP trilogy. Squyres' collaboration with producer Jacob Early, and session musician Ethan Nathaniel, has worked well to keep the tone consistent. If there's a subtle difference between Praise Songs and its fellows, the music on this EP feels a little more optimistic and buoyant. I'd dare say this is Squyres' most optimistic offering overall in his catalog. There's even a humor here that hasn't been seen as openly before. The best example is on "My Honda," "Sometimes I go down to Texas,/To see your glory Lord.../I see the Buccee's billboard,/Shining forth your truth/LOL, this is a song for you." In some ways, this EP is a side of Squyres his fans haven't seen before in so complete of a picture.

Among CCM fans, there's been a debate over who is "the next Rich Mullins." Mullins had a way of expressing faith in a genuine manner that cut through the Christianese that plagued a lot of CCM songs. Since Mullins' death, Andrew Peterson is often considered the bearer of his torch. While Peterson certainly takes inspiration from Mullins, he always felt like a "safer" version. Something about listening to Andy Squyres on Praise Songs made me wonder if he's the current bearer of that hallowed mantle. His homespun approach to faith, doubt, and worship bypasses most of the ways Christians generally approach these topics, much like Rich Mullins. I highly doubt Squyres wants or even cares for such a title, but I think the consideration tells you what he brings to the table. Squyres is a troubadour fitting for our times, giving expression to thoughts and feelings that many have encountered but had no way to communicate. As this trilogy concludes, Squyres ends it where it belongs: worshipping in God's presence with honesty and thankfulness.

- Review date: 6/19/26, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com

---

(JFH Sponsor Spot)

---