Expand Your Worship Playlist: 10 Christian Artists Who Hit the Same Deep Notes as John Waller
There's a specific kind of Christian music listener who gravitates toward John Waller. They're not looking for hype. They're not chasing the latest radio trend. They want music that feels earned — lyrics written by someone who's actually been through something, melodies that carry weight rather than just energy. If that describes you, this list was made with you in mind.
We've pulled together ten artists whose catalogs share that same heartfelt, worshipful spirit. Some are well-known, some are a little more under the radar, but all of them bring the kind of authenticity that John Waller fans tend to respond to.
1. Andrew Peterson
If you appreciate the storytelling depth in John Waller's writing, Andrew Peterson is an essential listen. He's a Nashville-based singer-songwriter who treats Christian music like literature — careful, layered, and emotionally precise. His album Resurrection Letters is a masterclass in theological depth wrapped in genuinely beautiful folk-influenced arrangements. Start there and work backward through his catalog.
2. Nichole Nordeman
Nordeman has been one of Christian music's most thoughtful voices since the late '90s, and her work holds up remarkably well. Like Waller, she writes from a place of honest spiritual wrestling rather than triumphant certainty. Songs like Brave and Every Season carry the kind of quiet power that sneaks up on you. If you haven't revisited her catalog lately, now's the time.
3. Matt Redman
The British worship leader and songwriter has produced some of the most enduring congregational worship songs of the last two decades. 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) is an obvious touchstone, but dig deeper and you'll find the same spirit of reverent, unhurried worship that defines John Waller's approach. Redman writes for the long haul — songs meant to be sung in seasons of both joy and grief.
4. Audrey Assad
For listeners who connect with the more contemplative, intimate side of John Waller's music, Audrey Assad is a revelation. Her voice is extraordinary, and her songwriting leans into the mystical and the vulnerable in ways that feel genuinely rare in American Christian music. Her album Heart is a perfect starting point — quiet, honest, and deeply moving.
5. Fernando Ortega
Ortega has spent decades crafting worship music that feels more like a sacred conversation than a performance. His piano-driven arrangements and hymn-influenced sensibility create a listening experience that's reflective and reverent. If John Waller's slower, more searching songs resonate with you, Ortega's catalog will feel immediately familiar.
6. Jason Gray
Gray is one of those artists who deserves a much wider audience than he currently has. His songwriting is clever without being showy, and his themes — grace, identity, the long work of spiritual transformation — overlap significantly with what John Waller explores. A Way to See in the Dark is a strong entry point and showcases his ability to find hope in genuinely difficult places.
7. Waterdeep
This husband-and-wife duo (Don and Lori Chaffer) built a devoted following in the late '90s and early 2000s through music that felt raw, communal, and spiritually alive. Their approach to worship was less polished production and more honest expression — which is exactly the spirit that runs through John Waller's best work. Their album You Are So Good to Me remains a quiet classic in American Christian music.
8. Chris Rice
Rice had a string of genuinely beloved songs in the late '90s and early 2000s that combined melodic warmth with thoughtful, image-rich lyrics. Come to Jesus is probably his most enduring piece — a song that walks through the full arc of human experience with grace and simplicity. For fans who love the way John Waller can make a simple lyric carry enormous emotional weight, Rice's catalog delivers consistently.
9. Ellie Holcomb
Holcomb is one of the most compelling voices in contemporary Christian music, full stop. Her songwriting is grounded in scripture but never feels rote or mechanical — she has a gift for making ancient truths feel immediate and personal. Albums like Red Sea Road and Find You Here are particularly strong and carry the same spirit of faith-under-pressure that runs through so much of John Waller's work.
10. The Brilliance
For listeners who want something a little more sonically adventurous while keeping that same depth of worship, The Brilliance is worth exploring. This brother duo blends liturgical tradition with modern production in ways that feel both ancient and fresh. Their music invites slow listening and repeated engagement — not unlike sitting with a John Waller album and letting the layers open up over time.
Building Your Own Worship Library
The thread connecting all of these artists — and John Waller — is a commitment to authenticity over polish. These are musicians who seem genuinely invested in the spiritual lives of their listeners, not just their streaming numbers.
If you're looking to deepen your personal worship music library, this list is a solid foundation. Start with the artists whose descriptions resonated most, then follow your instincts. The best worship music has a way of finding you at the right moment — and when it does, it tends to stick around for a long time.
Keep exploring, keep listening, and as always — let the music take you somewhere real.
