Josiah Queen’s “Mt. Zion” is a call to our generation

By Megan Deets

At the age of 22, Josiah Queen continues to rise to the top of Christian music charts. His newest album, titled “Mt. Zion,” was released on August 22. It includes 12 songs, which are three more than his first full-length album, “The Prodigal.”

In “Mt. Zion,” Queen stays true to his original style that blends folk, country, and contemporary Christian together. The instruments for his songs are soft and melodic, largely made up of acoustic guitar and, on occasion, a soft drumbeat. This simple background allows space for Queen’s mellow voice to shine. He has a voice that can range from haunting melodic lines to upbeat choruses. The lack of noticeable background vocals in his songs also brings things back to the basics. 

Queen stands out from the crowd of Christian contemporary artists. His music sounds as if he is trying to be genuine instead of just trying to fit into the mold of a genre. This novelty makes Queen’s music appealing to young people. But it’s more than just the music itself – it’s the lyrics. Queen incorporates themes that are resonating in the hearts of many American teenagers and young adults. Because he is around the same age as many of his listeners, these themes connect and develop naturally. 

There are many examples of these meaningful lyrics within “Mt. Zion.” Queen sings about topics that his audience struggles with. These topics range from the struggle against inappropriate language to rest and love. Probably the most obvious example of this relatability is in Queen’s song “Dusty Bibles.” This song is an appeal to spend time with God and other people instead of with your phone. 

Queen sets up his message with these lyrics: 

“Hey, I’ve been fine

I’ve been struggling to find some peace of mind

It’s the problem of our nation and in our generation

We’re too busy and can’t find the time

Are we busy or is it all a lie?”

This message, along with many others in “Mt. Zion,” is not only identifiable with many young adults, but it is also extremely convicting. Queen’s songs serve as reminders of where all the good things we search so hard for are truly found. They are found in Christ and Christ alone.

The following is my personal review of each of the album’s tracks:

(12) “Adonai (Lord of My Life)”: This is one of the most peaceful songs on the album. The strumming of the strings feels almost like a melody that would accompany one of the Psalms. There aren’t as many lyrics to this one, but that fits the feel of the song. 

(11) “Thief in the Night” with Gable Price: I would rate this as one of the least memorable songs on the tracklist. It isn’t bad, but it doesn’t stand out. The tune is not exciting or beautiful, and the words get lost in the boring melody. 

(10) “The Meaning of Life”: What I love about this song is how Queen draws in passages of Scripture from so many different places. He references Ecclesiastes, Daniel and Proverbs all in one song. 

(9) “I’ll Fly Away” with Benjamin William Hastings: You can’t help but feel joyful when you hear this song, which is a good thing for a song about heaven!

(8) “Slow Down, Please”: I like the concept of this song, but I found the analogy of cleaning a house in the first verse slightly confusing. I also found the switch from the speaker’s perspective to God’s to be unclear at first. 

(7) “Cloud and Fire”:  This is a beautiful song about our dependence on the Lord!

(6) “Dusty Bibles”: This song about how much time we spend on our phones is meant to lead to conviction. It also has a great beat! 

(5) “Mt. Zion”: For being the title song, this track was the most generic on the album. But it was probably selected for its overall focus on God’s love, a repeated theme throughout the album. 

(4) “Two Wooden Beams”: This song is a good synopsis of the gospel. It’s one song that benefits from a strong instrumental background.

(3) “Can’t Steal My Joy” with Brandon Lake: I love how much fun this song is! Yet it is also such a great reminder of what our attitudes should be when we experience trials. 

(2) “Watch Your Mouth”: The instrumental on this one is so catchy! It had great pacing and rhythm throughout the song.

(1) “Yesterday is Dead”: This song also has a great instrumental! It reminds me of the songs on Queen’s first album. 

Overall, “Mt. Zion” is a successful album that clearly demonstrates the reasons for Josiah Queen’s rise in popularity and amplifies his plea to our generation. 

“Mt. Zion” is available on all music streaming platforms.

Megan Deets is a freshman Professional Writing and Information Design student. Some of the things that she loves are new notebooks, fresh fruit, and musicals. 

Images courtesy of Josiah Queen’s Mt. Zion Album Promotion and YouTube.