JFH News: Anchor Hymns Release Debut Project, "Be Unto Your Name"

ANCHOR HYMNS RELEASE DEBUT PROJECT 'BE UNTO YOUR NAME'

The EP references the kind of music loved by this collective but rarely heard in church

NEWS SOURCE: Integrity Music
September 23, 2022

23 September 2022 – Nashville, TN – 'Be Unto Your Name' is the debut EP from Anchor Hymns, a community of Integrity Music songwriters and artists who care deeply about the theology and the craft of the songs the Church sings. This initial project was inspired by old hymns that have carried the Church for generations and across denominations. Andrew Osenga (A&R Director at Integrity Music) explains that three pillars continually showed up in those formative songs: "frank honesty about suffering and doubt, an acute awareness that we are in one specific time and place, and the reassurance that God is with us right here, right now, even in our suffering and doubt." 'Be Unto Your Name' references the kind of music loved by this collective but rarely heard in church; full of soul and groove, these songs are unafraid to tackle the sounds of suffering and grief, as well as joy and celebration. The new project features instruments most churches have on a Sunday, showcasing them in a slightly different way, hinting that perhaps "it will give a church somewhere some kind of permission to try something new," Andrew adds. Through this project and at their core, Anchor Hymns hope to communicate one of the greatest things about church hymnody: that it removes the pressure, and pride, of our own importance. Church hymnody has been going on for centuries and it will continue long after us, as Andrew concludes: "It’s my hope that in this brief moment we are marked by truthfulness in what we say, usefulness in the way we offer it, and a kindness to whoever the Lord brings into our orbit." The songs on 'Be Unto Your Name' are for funerals and home churches alike, in both traditional and modern houses of worship worldwide.

Anchor Hymns is a multigenerational collective of artists creating songs of substance from both a lyrical, theological, and musical frame. With roots spanning across generations past and yet-to come, as well diverse ethnic backgrounds, these songs create a place where honesty can be found in community, while simultaneously looking towards what's ahead with gratitude. Musically drawing from Neo Soul, Indie Rock, Brooklyn Fusion, (Blues, Jazz, RnB, Soul), these songs are unafraid to tackle the sounds of suffering and grief, as well as joy and celebration. Anchor Hymns is made of Paul Baloche, Leslie Jordan, Taylor Leonhardt, Jasmine Mullen, Dee Wilson, Antoine Bradford, Sarah Kroger, Jess Ray, Tim Timmons, Garrett Tyler, Lucy Grimble, Dwan Hill, Sandra McCracken, Chaunda Jefferson, Brian Eichelberger, Ricky Vazquez, Brent Milligan, and Andrew Osenga.