pop worship Jimmy Needham Vice & Virtue (Platinum Pop Records) FOR FANS OF: Justin Timberlake, OneRepublic, Mat Kearney QQQQ Unspoken Unplugged (Centricity) FOR FANS OF: Newworldson, Jimmy Needham QQQ Planetshakers Outback Worship Sessions (Integrity Music) FOR FANS OF: New Life Worship, Gungor, Hillsong United QQQQ Armed with an ultra-smooth voice and some seriously contagious R&B grooves, Jimmy Needham could just as readily rule the dance floor as stir the soul. Wrapped around production from Will Hunt (Crowder, Shane & Shane) and some extra seasoning from rapper KB, the singer/ songwriter turns in his most confessional lyrics yet, making this brave new batch not only a career cornerstone, but also a soundtrack for anyone looking to recalibrate their faith through a lens of unvarnished authenticity. –Andy Argyrakis Unspoken’s soulful pop songs were already rich and rewarding in their original studio form. On the band’s latest release, Unplugged, the songs reveal new layers of depth and meaning. Chad Mattson’s vocal sounds silky smooth on “Broken Man” and demands repeat listens, while the power of “Call It Grace” has never been more resonant than this tender, sparse treatment. It’s definitely a release for the already convinced, but Unspoken’s many fans will be very pleased with the addition. –Matt Conner With more than twenty successful albums to date, Australia’s Planetshakers are no strangers to crafting powerful, meaningful anthems. However, for Outback Worship Sessions the band chose to go in a soulful, stripped down direction. Producer and catalyst Ed Cash infused a more intimate and organic tone, eschewing a commercial sound in favor of a personal and heartfelt timbre. Selections also boast the same considerations lyrically. –Rebekah Bell WE LIKE: “Momma Didn’t Raise No Fool” WE LIKE: “Call It Grace” CCMMagazine.com WE LIKE: “My Soul Longs for Jesus”