Just 15 months after he released his full-length debut, Josiah Queen bows his sophomore album, “Mt. Zion.” His second LP builds on the solid foundation of the Americana-threaded storytelling he handcrafted on “The Prodigal.” This time around, the Florida native expands his co-writing circle ever so slightly, but still leans into the honest, convicting delivery and acoustic-grounded sound that swiftly amassed him a legion of ardent fans.
Now signed to a major label, Queen ups the ante on his features with cameos from Brandon Lake and labelmates Benjamin William Hastings and Gable Price. In fact, the Queen/Lake collaboration has already taken radio by storm as the pair set out to write a “joy bomb.” Mission accomplished. The infectious barn-burner 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.
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Together, Queen and Hastings look toward eternity on the jubilant “I’ll Fly Away” as they extend a subtle nod to the old hymn of the same name and reflect on the wonder of heaven. Meanwhile, alongside Price, Queen surrenders his vanity and ego to a God who shapes His children into His image on “Thief in the Night.” The selection especially showcases his lyrical maturity as he calls the exchange a “divine robbery.”
Although Queen’s star is still rising, he doesn’t need bigger names to amplify his songs. His unique lyrical prowess speaks for itself and belies his youth. At only 22, he connects with Gen Z in a way few artists can; perhaps because of his age. There’s no better evidence of this than “Dusty Bibles,” a viral hit that’s quickly become one of Queen’s fastest-rising singles. Its counter-cultural message of forsaking scrolling for reading Scripture immediately resonated with teens and young adults, who were screaming the song word-for-word during his opening slot on this year’s “Summer Worship Nights” tour.
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Similar to much of his previous material that initially 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.
Whimsical ballad “Cloud and Fire” references the signs that led the Egyptians through the wilderness across a song that speaks to a God who provides exactly what we need, precisely when we need it.
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. Later, “The Meaning Of Life” serves up a modern-day take on King Solomon’s sage reflections.
Elsewhere, arena-ready “Watch Your Mouth” offers a cautionary tale about toxic self-talk, and the Gospel-centric “Two Wooden Beams” provides an urgent pop portrait that magnifies the message of the cross.
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Queen’s lyrics are arrestingly poetic across the project’s dozen tracks, stirring up vivid imagery with each distinct verse. Even the title, “Mt. Zion,” conjures visions of rugged landscapes and vibrant mountainous terrain. While the title cut is a reference to the holy city of Jerusalem, it also draws from the beauty of Utah’s famous national park, helping listeners visualize a place where they belong.
The “My Promised Land” singer seems to have found his home in the faith-based niche. The genre has warmly embraced Queen as he’s brought the folk-pop stylings of Noah Kahan and Mumford & Sons straight to Christian music. His immediate popularity has garnered the newcomer collaborations with a diverse array of artists, ranging from TobyMac to Henrik; a slew of award nominations; an RIAA Gold certification and several high-profile touring opportunities alongside buzzworthy acts like Lake, Phil Wickham and Forrest Frank.
To celebrate the release of “Mt. Zion,” Queen will headline shows at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and Tampa’s Yuengling Center, where he’ll play the entire record front to back both nights.
