Relevant Magazine's The Drop Features Josh's Album

If you're interested in checking out the new hymns album, you can stream it for a limited time at Relevant Magazine's The Drop!  More about the album...

About "The Birds Their Carols Raise"

An album of hymns from singer-songwriter Josh Bales

I've wanted to make a hymns album for years.  Hymns are the songs I sing when I'm leading worship at my local church, or on the road.  I love their poetry.  I love their history.  I love their theology.  I love their ability to take a thousand different voices in a room and make them one.  They are common songs for a common faith, and that's a REALLY.  GOOD.  THING. This Is My Father's Worldand Fairest Lord Jesus both ask me to read the day's pessimistic headlines only after I've engaged nature and been reminded by it that, though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. and,  Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, who makes the woeful heart to sing.Be Thou My Vision asks me to consider the way Orthodox Christians talk about salvation- a life long process of God cleaning the lens of my heart so that I can see him, the world, myself, and others aright. I first heard The King Of Love My Shepherd Is on a choral album from John Rutter and The Cambridge Singers.  I'm brought to tears each time I sing, Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, but yet in love He sought me, and on his shoulder gently laid, and home, rejoicing, brought me. And of all the destructive ways and places that I seek to hide from life's storms, Rock Of Ages offers me the hope that God, in Christ, is my ultimate refuge. Holy, Holy, Holy! helps me sing the mysterious doctrine of the Trinity, and transports me into the heavens where, with all the saints and angels, I join in the song of Isaiah, Revelation, and the Church's early Eucharistic prayer (did you hear the Sanctus at the end of the track?). In Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah, I proclaim that God's provision for me- a weary pilgrim- will be enough. I also wanted to update the recordings of several original songs that I consider to be the brothers and sisters of hymns- at least that’s how I intended I Need You, The Pilgrim Song, Come to Me, and A Hymn For All The World.  Thanks for supporting my music all these years.  I hope "The Birds Their Carols Raise" will be the first of a few projects focused on the songs of the Church! - Josh

Stream Josh's Christmas Album on Relevant Magazine's The Drop

"The Holly & The Ivy" is a new Christmas album from singer-songwriter Josh Bales.  "I wanted to make a Christmas album that captured the longing of Advent and the hope of Christmastide," Josh said.  "I recorded most of the album in my home, and in my counseling office.

As a part time mental health therapist, it was very meaningful to sing the lyrics "He comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found..." in a place where the waiting of Advent is often felt more than the joy of Christmas.  So these songs reflect that mixed spirit of longing and hope.  I think that's what Christmas probably SHOULD feel like in a broken world."  This is Josh's first Christmas project, and it comes on the heels of "Count The Stars," a collection of songs he released in 2013 with multi-award winning producers Ed and Scott Cash.

You can stream the new Christmas album at RELEVANT MAGAZINE's THE DROP by clicking below.  THE DROP features all kinds of other great artists and albums to stream as well.  Thanks RELEVANT!

And of course you can download the album directly from this website, or on iTunes.

iTunes