Mt. Zion (album)

Mt. Zion
Studio album by
Josiah Queen
ReleasedAugust 22, 2025 (2025-08-22)
Genres
Length38:51
Labels
Producers
  • John Michael Howell
  • Zac Lawson
  • Josiah Queen
  • Jacob Sooter
  • Hank Bentley
  • Jared Marc
Josiah Queen chronology
The Prodigal
(2024)		 Mt. Zion
(2025)
Singles from Mt. Zion
  1. "Can't Steal My Joy"
    Released: January 10, 2025
  2. "Yesterday Is Dead"
    Released: March 14, 2025
  3. "Two Wooden Beams"
    Released: May 16, 2025
  4. "Dusty Bibles"
    Released: June 20, 2025
  5. "Cloud and Fire"
    Released: July 29, 2025
  6. "I'll Fly Away"
    Released: August 8, 2025
Alternative cover
Exclusive vinyl cover

Mt. Zion is the second studio album by American folk rock musician Josiah Queen, released on August 22, 2025, via Josiah Queen Music, Capitol Christian Music Group, and F&L Music Group. The album features guest appearances from Brandon Lake, Benjamin William Hastings, and Gable Price. Production for the album was handled by John Michael Howell, Zac Lawson, Josiah Queen, Jacob Sooter, Hank Bentley, and Jared Marc.

The album was supported by the release of "Can't Steal My Joy", "Yesterday Is Dead", "Two Wooden Beams", "Cloud and Fire", and "I'll Fly Away", and "Dusty Bibles" as singles.

Release and promotion

The lead single off Mt. Zion was "Can't Steal My Joy", released on January 10, 2025, featuring guest vocals from Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Brandon Lake. Several teasers to the song were released to social media predating the song's release, achieving a combined three million views.[1] On DSPs, the song accumulated 12.5 million digital streams within three months of release.[2][3] On January 9, 2025, an official music video was released, featuring song lyrics.[4][5][6] Queen said about the song that it, "came from the idea that our joy isn't dependent on the situations we face in our lives".[7]

Following the release of "Can't Steal My Joy", Queen released the album's second single, "Yesterday Is Dead" on March 14, 2025.[8][9] He spoke about it, saying, "Yesterday is Dead feels like a weight being lifted off of my back. This song is all about the freedom and new life I have found in Jesus. I have lived through times with regrets of the past and this song came from the release of those cares."[10] Teasers from the song surpassed three million views, and both a music video and lyric video were released.[11][12] On Easter Sunday of that year, the song was performed on the Fox News channel Fox & Friends.[13] "Yesterday is Dead" gave Queen his highest ever streaming debut without a feature. Within two months, the song achieved nine million global streams and 22 million short form video views.[14]

On May 16, 2025, the album's third single was released, titled "Two Wooden Beams".[15][16] In support of the song's release, an official music video was released.[17][18] Queen spoke about the song and its inspiration, saying, "I spent a long time searching for love and I finally found it – on two wooden beams where God gave everything for me. His sacrifice taught me that love is much more about sacrifice than it is a feeling."[19]

On June 20, 2025, Queen released a single titled "Dusty Bibles", which he deemed as "one of the most honest songs I’ve ever dropped".[20] Alongside the song's release, he announced Mt. Zion as his second album, slated for release on August 22, 2025.[21][22]

The album's fourth single, "Cloud and Fire", was released on July 29, 2025, described as being a "gentle, emotional track".[23] Queen spoke about the song saying, "I wrote Cloud and Fire after reading about the story of Moses and the Israelites journeying through the desert, led by a pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire at night. It’s a reminder of God’s steadfast guidance through every trial," referencing the Biblical story of The Exodus.[24][25] The single was supported by the release of an official lyric video.[26]

On August 8, 2025, "I'll Fly Away", a collaboration with Benjamin William Hastings, was released as the fifth single from Mt. Zion.[27] The song was supported by an official lyrics video.[28]

Predating the album's release, five tracks were released exclusively to Air1 radio stations, including "The Meaning of Life" on August 18, 2025, "Adonai (Lord of My Life)" on August 19, "Watch Your Mouth" on August 20, "Slow Down, Please" on August 21, and the title track, "Mt. Zion", on August 22.[29]

Queen will perform two headlining album release shows, including at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, on October 27, 2025, and at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida, on November 1.[30] Both shows will perform the album's full setlist.[31]

Style

Lindsay Williams of K-Love observed that, similar to Queen's The Prodigal (2024), Mt. Zion writing contains "honest, conviting delivery" and "acoustic-grounded sound", building on its predecessor's "Americana-threaded storytelling".[32] The album is characterized by "rich storytelling" and "definitive folk-pop stylings", in which Queen writes lyrics inspired by various Bible passages.[33] Jesus Freak Hideout observed the album to be folk, nu-folk, and country.

Mt. Zion demonstrates the styles of Christian/gospel and AC/Inspo, folk, folk rock, and country.[34][35]

Tours

The Mt. Zion Tour, featuring Jervis Campbell and Gable Price, will begin on March 7 and last until May 8, 2026. The tour will visit thirty-one locations in the United States, making it Queen's biggest headlining tour.[36]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Jesus Freak HideoutStarStarStarHalf star
Jubilee CastStarStarStarHalf star

Critical

Josh Balogh of Jesus Freak Hideout awarded Mt. Zion a 3.5-out-of-5 star review, identifying Queen's "authentic lyrics" and "folk-infused sound". He recognized that the album features a "stomp and shout" template, criticizing its lack of diversity.[35] Speaking for Jubilee Cast, Timothy Yap praised the album for being more "rustic" than the average Christian music's "slick, synth-layered worship ballads". However, he stated that "the record is not without flaws", observing that, "the country-folk approach is refreshing, but its repeated application across 12 tracks can feel a bit draining". He credited the album with a 3.75-out-of-5 star review.[37]

Commercial

Selling 15,000 equivalent album sales within its first week, Mt. Zion debuted at No. 22 on the Official Charts Company UK Americana Albums and No. 8 on the Christian/Gospel Albums charts.[38][39] In the US, the album debuted at No. 57 on the Billboard 200, No. 1 on the Top Christian Albums, No. 4 on the Americana/Folk Albums, and No. 12 on the Top Rock & Alternative Albums.[40]

The lead single from Mt. Zion, "Can't Steal My Joy", hit No. 38 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, No. 10 on the Hot Christian Songs chart, and No. 10 on the Christian Airplay chart.[41][42][43] The following single, "Yesterday Is Dead", charted at No. 25 on the Hot Christian Songs chart, with "Two Wooden Beams" hitting No. 19 on the same chart.[44][45]

"Dusty Bibles" peaked at No. 17 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, No. 3 on the Hot Christian Songs, No. 28 on the Christian Airplay, and No. 6 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100.[46][47][48][49] The song notably marks Queen's first top 10 debut onto the Hot Christian Songs chart.[50] "Cloud and Fire" peaked at No. 28 on the Hot Christian Songs, and "I'll Fly Away" hit No. 25.[51][52]

Accolades

Year Organization Category Result Ref.
2026 Dove Awards Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year Pending [53]
Recording Music Packaging of the Year Pending
Year-end lists
Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
Jesus Freak Hideout Alex Caldwell's Album Picks of 20259[54]
Grace Graber's Album Picks of 20258[55]
New Release Today Top 10 Albums of 2025Unordered[56]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Yesterday Is Dead"
2:45
2."Watch Your Mouth"
  • Elijah Queen
  • Jared Marc
  • Josiah Queen
  • Romeo Barela
Jared Marc3:42
3."Can't Steal My Joy" (featuring Brandon Lake)
  • Jacob Sooter
3:33
4."Two Wooden Beams"
  • John Michael Howell
  • Josiah Queen
  • Zac Lawson
John Michael Howell3:21
5."Mt. Zion"Josiah QueenJared Marc2:45
6."Dusty Bibles"
John Michael Howell3:10
7."Cloud and Fire"
  • Dylan Thomas
  • John Michael Howell
  • Josiah Queen
  • Zac Lawson
John Michael Howell2:57
8."Slow Down, Please"
Jared Marc3:44
9."I'll Fly Away" (with Benjamin William Hastings)
Hank Bentley3:00
10."The Meaning of Life"
  • Angelo Espinosa
  • Josiah Queen
Ben Foster3:27
11."Thief in the Night" (with Gable Price)
  • Angelo Espinosa
  • Gable Price
  • Josiah Queen
  • Ben Foster
  • Gable Price
3:20
12."Adonai (Lord of My Life)"
  • Jared Marc
  • Josiah Queen
Jared Marc3:00
Total length:38:51

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes and Tidal Music.[57][58]

Charts

References

  1. ↑ Carpenter, Abby (January 15, 2025). "Josiah Queen Teams Up With GRAMMY Winner Brandon Lake On "Can't Steal My Joy"". Free CCM. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Josiah Queen Declares 'Yesterday is Dead' with New Single". Jesus Freak Hideout. March 14, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Josiah Queen Releases New Single – 'Yesterday Is Dead'". Praise Jamz Blog. March 18, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Can't Steal My Joy (Official Lyric Video)". Jesus People. January 27, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  5. ↑ Tate, Lanzen (January 12, 2025). "Josiah Queen – Can't Steal My Joy feat. Brandon Lake (Official Lyric Video)". Folded Waffle. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  6. ↑ Queen, Josiah (January 9, 2025). Can't Steal My Joy (Official Lyric Video) (Video). Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Josiah Queen Drops "Can't Steal My Joy" Feat. Brandon Lake | Coghive 2025". Coghive. January 11, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  8. ↑ Clarks, Jessie (March 14, 2025). "Josiah Queen Drops New Single "Yesterday Is Dead"". The Christian Beat. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Josiah Queen Shares "Yesterday Is Dead", A Powerful Anthem of Renewal". Next Up. March 17, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Josiah Queen Shares New Single, "Yesterday Is Dead" – View Official Video Here". Jesus Freak Hideout. March 14, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  11. ↑ Queen, Josiah (March 14, 2025). Josiah Queen – Yesterday Is Dead (Official Music Video) (Video). Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  12. ↑ Queen, Josiah (March 18, 2025). Josiah Queen – Yesterday Is Dead (Official Lyric Video) (Video). Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  13. ↑ Clarks, Jessie (February 21, 2025). "FOX & Friends Weekend Announces 2025 "Faith And Friends" Concert Series Lineup". The Christian Beat. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  14. ↑ Carpenter, Abby (May 16, 2025). "Josiah Queen's New Single "Two Wooden Beams" Is Out Today". Free CCM. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Josiah Queen's New Single, "Two Wooden Beams", is Out Today". Jesus Freak Hideout. May 16, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  16. ↑ Clarks, Jessie (May 16, 2025). "Josiah Queen's New Single "Two Wooden Beams" Out Now". The Christian Beat. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  17. ↑ Queen, Josiah (May 14, 2025). Josiah Queen – Two Wooden Beams (Official Music Video) (Video). Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Video: Josiah Queen – Two Wooden Beams". Louder Than The Music. May 27, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  19. ↑ Carpenter, Abby (May 16, 2025). "Josiah Queen's New Single "Two Wooden Beams" Is Out Today". Free CCM. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  20. ↑ McCarty, India (June 26, 2025). "Viral Worship Artist Calls Out This Common Struggle In New Single". Movie Guide. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  21. ↑ Clarks, Jessie (June 20, 2025). "Josiah Queen Announces New Album & Drops "Dusty Bibles"". The Christian Beat. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Josiah Queen Announces New Album & Drops "Dusty Bibles"". Coghive. July 23, 2025. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Josiah Queen's New Single, "Cloud and Fire", From Upcoming Album, Mt. Zion, is Out Now". Imprint Entertainment. July 29, 2025. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  24. ↑ Longs, Herb (July 30, 2025). "Josiah Queen Debuts New Single "Cloud And Fire"". The Christian Beat. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  25. ↑ Yap, Timothy (August 1, 2025). "Josiah Queen Releases New Single "Cloud and Fire"". Jubilee Cast. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  26. ↑ Queen, Josiah (July 28, 2025). Josiah Queen – Cloud And Fire (Official Lyric Video) (Video). Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  27. ↑ Clarks, Jessie (August 8, 2025). "Josiah Queen Partners With Benjamin William Hastings On "I'll Fly Away"". The Chistian Beat. Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  28. ↑ Queen, Josiah (August 7, 2025). Josiah Queen, Benjamin William Hastings – I'll Fly Away (Lyric Video) (Video). Retrieved August 13, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Josiah Queen "Mt. Zion" Early Access". Air1. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  30. ↑ "August Delivers some Can't-Miss Albums!". CCM Magazine. August 25, 2025. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  31. ↑ Clarks, Jessie (July 23, 2025). "Josiah Queen Announces Two-Night Album Release Celebration For 'Mt. Zion'". The Christian Beat. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  32. ↑ Williams, Lindsay (August 22, 2025). "Josiah Queen Solidifies His Banjo-Infused Storytelling on 'Mt. Zion'". K-Love. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  33. ↑ Williams, Lindsay (August 22, 2025). "Josiah Queen Scales the Mountain of Faith on 'Mt. Zion'". Air1. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Mt. Zion by Josiah Queen | CD Reviews and Information". New Release Today. August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  35. 1 2 Balogh, Josh (August 22, 2025). "Josiah Queen, "Mt. Zion", Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  36. ↑ Clarks, Jessie (September 6, 2025). "Josiah Queen Announces 'The Mt. Zion Tour' Marking His Biggest Headline Run Yet". The Christian Beat. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  37. ↑ Yap, Timothy (August 22, 2025). "Josiah Queen "Mt. Zion" Album Review". Jubilee Cast. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Official American Albums Chart: Week of August 29, 2025". Official Charts Company. August 29, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Official American Albums Chart: Week of August 29, 2025". Official Charts Company. August 29, 2025. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  40. ↑ Rutherford, Kevin (September 3, 2025). "Josiah Queen Earns Second Top Christian Albums No. 1 With 'Mt. Zion'". Billboard. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
  41. ↑ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of August 16, 2025". Billboard. August 16, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Hot Christian Songs: Week of August 2, 2025". Billboard. August 2, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  43. ↑ "Christian Airplay: Week of August 23, 2025". Billboard. August 23, 2025. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  44. ↑ "Hot Christian Songs: Week of April 19, 2025". Billboard. April 19, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  45. ↑ "Hot Christian Songs: Week of May 31, 2025". Billboard. May 31, 2025. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  46. ↑ "Hot Rock & Alternative Songs: Week of July 26, 2025". Billboard. July 26, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  47. ↑ "Hot Christian Songs: Week of July 19, 2025". Billboard. July 19, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  48. ↑ "Christian Airplay: Week of August 23, 2025". Billboard. August 23, 2025. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  49. ↑ "Bubbling Under Hot 100: Week of August 16, 2025". Billboard. August 16, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  50. ↑ Asker, Jim (July 1, 2025). "Marcus Jordan's 'I Can,' the First Song He Ever Wrote, Hits No. 1 on Gospel Airplay Chart". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  51. ↑ "Hot Christian Songs: Week of August 16, 2025". Billboard. August 16, 2025. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  52. ↑ "Hot Christian Songs: Week of August 23, 2025". Billboard. August 23, 2025. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  53. ↑ "2026 Nominees". Gospel Music Association. July 29, 2026. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
  54. ↑ Dickens, Evan; Balogh, Josh; Tremaine, Chase; Fryberger, Scott (December 30, 2025). "2025 Staff Picks". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  55. ↑ Fryberger, Scott; Graber, Grace; Adam, Christopher; Trout, Dave; Hyde, Paul; Hawkins, Phil; Smith, Micah; Close, Clifford; Miller, Chris; Schlereth, Kevin; Lytle, Aiden; Harp, Loyd (January 2, 2026). "Friends of JFH Picks 2025". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  56. ↑ Davis, Kevin (December 10, 2025). "Top 10 Albums of 2025 — An NRT Exclusive Editorial — New Release Today". New Release Today (NRT). Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  57. ↑ Mt. Zion (CD liner notes). Josiah Queen. Josiah Queen Music, F&L Label Group. Capitol Christian Music Group. 2003.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  58. ↑ "Mt. Zion / Josiah Queen / Credits". Tidal Music. August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  59. ↑ "Official Americana Albums Chart on 29/8/2025 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  60. ↑ "Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart on 29/8/2025 – Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  61. ↑ "Josiah Queen Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  62. ↑ "Josiah Queen Chart History (Top Americana/Folk Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  63. ↑ "Josiah Queen Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  64. ↑ "Josiah Queen Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  65. ↑ "Top Christian Albums". Billboard. December 9, 2025. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
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