Knoxville, TN -- East Tennessee singer-songwriter and worship leader Lily Hooten is set to release her deeply personal approach to grassroots Christian indie music with Promised Land, her debut solo album arriving November 13. Produced by acclaimed songwriter and producer David Leonard (All Sons & Daughters, NEEDTOBREATHE) alongside Brad King and Collin Healer, the 10-track project captures Hooten's intimate, prayer-like songwriting and her evolving understanding of faith, grief, and the hope of Heaven.

Written in the wake of her grandfather's passing, Promised Land emerged from Hooten's realization that life is both profoundly beautiful and painfully brief. Confronting loss forced her to reconsider what she could hold onto, what she could control, and where she ultimately placed her hope. Rather than offering easy answers to grief, the album turns toward Jesus, finding meaning in the tension between the ache of being human and the promise of something beyond it. Through vulnerable storytelling and an intimate, folk-leaning sound, Hooten offers listeners an invitation to move beyond self-reliance and discover the grace, presence, and renewal found in a relationship with Jesus.

"I think the promised land is more than a place we are going. It is a promise that changes the way we live while we wait. It reminds us that death does not have the final word, that sorrow can deepen our capacity for beauty, and that the things we cannot keep can still teach us how to love. These songs are my attempt to make sense of that tension, to plant my feet firmly on this earth while keeping my eyes fixed on Heaven. I wrote them because I want to live awake to the beauty of this life without forgetting the life to come. And more than anything, I wrote them because I want to see Jesus. In the grief, in the goodness, in the ordinary days we so easily overlook, and in the moments that remind us how little time we have. Until the day faith becomes sight, may we learn to live here with open hands and Heaven in our eyes." -Lily Hooten

Two previously released singles offer a glimpse into the album's central themes. Inspired by the story of Jesus and the woman at the well in John 4, "Come Meet the Man" reflects on the ways people seek fulfillment through achievement, talent and self-reliance, only to find themselves still searching. With intimate folk textures and cinematic warmth, the song centers on the mercy of a Savior who meets people in their weariness and offers love without requiring perfection.

Her latest single, "Push and Pull," explores the complicated space between faith and doubt. Co-written with friends Jessie and Joel during a rainy afternoon in Nashville, the song draws inspiration from Ezekiel 37 and its vision of a valley of dry bones brought back to life. Born from a conversation about the difficulty of being honest about personal struggles while feeling pressure to appear put together, the track underscores a recurring idea throughout the album: renewal begins when people bring their brokenness before God rather than trying to fix themselves first.

At just 21, Hooten has already established connections within the contemporary worship community, collaborating with worship collectives House Fires and Trust God Bro while receiving mentorship from Will Reagan of United Pursuit. Her music has also earned early recognition on major streaming platforms, with "Come Meet the Man" garnering over 7M views on Instagram and featured at No. 3 on Spotify's All New Christian & Gospel playlist and included on Apple Music's New In Christian playlist, while "Push and Pull" earned featured placements on Apple Music's Morning Coffee and Heartstrings playlists alongside Gracie Abrams, Medium Build, Noah Kahan, Kacey Musgraces, and Hazlett. Rooted in her faith and missionary upbringing, Hooten describes her music as "letters to Jesus" - personal prayers transformed into songs that invite listeners to encounter God in the middle of their own stories. With Promised Land, she hopes to help listeners of all generations experience the beauty of Jesus and contribute to a broader wave of spiritual renewal.

To celebrate the album's release, Hooten will embark on a 10-date mini tour across Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Florida, beginning November 8 in Knoxville and continuing through November 19 in Chattanooga.

Promised Land Track List
Draw Me Close
Better
Push And Pull
Promise Land
Steady
Slow Down
Come Meet The Man
Sounds Like You And Me
Lord Build Me A Cabin
Receive The Invitation

Promised Land Tour Dates
November 8 - Knoxville, TN
November 9 - Nashville, TN
November 10 - Birmingham, AL
November 11 - Tuscaloosa, AL
November 12 - Opelika, AL
November 13 - Ozark, AL
November 15 - Tallahassee, FL
November 16 - Gainesville, FL
November 18 - Atlanta, GA
November 19 - Chattanooga, TN

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About Lily Hooten

Lily Hooten is a 21-year-old singer-songwriter and worship leader from Knoxville, Tennessee, whose music is a deeply personal extension of her faith and missionary roots. Her sound is often described as "letters to Jesus" -- intimate prayers turned into vulnerable songs about moving from brokenness to healing. Lily creates from an authentic, "scrapbook" aesthetic, utilizing film photography and quirky, creative visuals to pull listeners into a "colorful" encounter with the kingdom of God. With a heart for the generations to experience the beauty of Jesus, she is currently developing her debut album with Anotherland, aiming to see a wave of spiritual renewal across America through her stories and songs.

 

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