Fresh off an opening slot on Phil Wickham and Brandon Lake’s “Summer Worship Nights” tour, Josiah Queen invites listeners on a pilgrimage to “Mt. Zion,” his sophomore effort. The album finds the newcomer on a quest to discover the depths of God’s love across a dozen tracks.
“I poured my heart and soul into this one,” he says of the project. “It’s a journey into the presence of God.”
Air1 listeners were among the first to hear select originals from “Mt. Zion” as the radio network premiered a new selection every morning throughout the week leading up to the record’s release.
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While Queen’s acclaimed debut, “The Prodigal,” introduced his rich storytelling and definitive folk-pop stylings, it also hinted at his ability to write songs that are convicting without being overly preachy. Even on “Dusty Bibles” — an infectious bop that claims we spend more time on our iPhones than in the Word of God — Queen doesn’t browbeat his peers. Instead, he seems to offer a doctrine they’re eager to adopt. In three minutes, Queen manages to unite scores of young adults hungry for something real and lasting. He’s more than a unifier, however; Queen is a Gen Z troubadour, who wears his tendencies on his sleeve.
He confesses his pride on “Thief in the Night (feat. Gable Price),” warns of negative self-talk on standout selection “Watch Your Mouth,” and ponders his purpose on “The Meaning of Life.”
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More storyteller than worship artist, Queen does steward a few instances of reverent praise on “Mt. Zion.” While not exactly congregational-friendly, the atmospheric “Two Wooden Beams” emphasizes the significance of the crucifixion in a poignant and powerful fashion. Meanwhile, Queen calls whimsical ballad “Cloud and Fire” his “love song to Jesus.” Additionally, album closer “Adonai (Lord of My Life)” offers a stripped-back moment of surrender.
Queen enlists Lake for lead single “Can’t Steal My Joy,” an obvious barn-burner that submits challenging circumstances won’t threaten the kind of joy that comes from a relationship with Jesus, despite what the world may say about true happiness.
Later, Queen and Benjamin William Hastings join forces for “I’ll Fly Away,” a jubilant reflection on all the goodness that awaits us in heaven.
Similar to much of his previous material that caught fire on TikTok, Queen finds his sweet spot when he marries highly textured acoustic instrumentation with stories from the Bible, transporting listeners directly into the shoes of key historical figures.
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Valuing presence over productivity, “Slow Down, Please” crosses the threshold of Mary and Martha’s house as Jesus pays the sisters a visit, reminding us that sometimes we get so busy doing things for God that we miss God completely.
Meanwhile, the title cut employs the rugged terrain of Mt. Zion to paint a beautiful picture of the road to spiritual growth — a winding, uphill climb filled with surprising beauty at every turn. Queen’s second album is an invitation into the vast, wild expanse of a life with Jesus — an adventure that isn’t for the faint of heart, but rather a heart that’s fully committed to the marathon of faith.
On “Mt. Zion,” Queen doesn’t reach the summit; but the destination was never really the point. Instead, he’s a fellow sojourner — wise beyond his years — walking a path his forefathers treaded before him. Perhaps more importantly, he emerges as a fresh voice for his generation.
More headlines than ever before whisper that a revival is unfolding with Gen Z at the forefront. Artists like Josiah Queen are leading the charge with their brave manifestos, boldly standing up for what they believe in and declaring that maybe, just maybe, the authenticity we’re actually craving behind our screens can be found in the person of Jesus.
