Rebecca St. James Returns With First Studio Project In Nine Years

Rebecca St. James will return with her first studio recording in nine years, and her first for Heritage Music, when she releases the six-song EP Dawn on July 24. The project, produced by Seth Mosley and Tedd T., features guest contributions from St. James’ brother—for King & Country’s Luke Smallbone—as well as Bethel Music’s Josh Baldwin and Brandon Lake.

“Worship just seems to be the right kind of music for me to make in this season; it’s so true to who I am and my roots,” St. James says of her return. “The foundation of the EP is the idea of dawn—a new sunrise, a new beginning, a new spring. The theme throughout is God’s redemption; new seasons of joy after pain, and hope.

“Nearly three years ago God did a rebirth in our little family during what we would call a winter,” St. James explains. “I miscarried twice after our first daughter, and it just felt like when it rains, it pours. It was winter on so many levels—dealing with internal pain, major vocational change and unknowns, outside family issues—just a lot all at once. Then God brought about a total change in my heart and in my husband’s heart too, and we felt that He delivered us into a spring season, a renewal that started on the interior.”

She collaborated with songwriters including Smallbone, Baldwin, Bethel Music’s Kristene DiMarco and Mia Fieldes and others. The title track highlights St. James and Smallbone’s sibling harmonies, while “Middle of the Fire,” featuring Baldwin, offers an anthem of trust.

“The time away from music has helped me come back with fresh energy,” St. James says. “It’s much easier to go with a formula that feels safe or sure to be received, but I’ve not wanted to do that. I’ve really wanted this project to feel progressive but also really accessible.”

St. James debuted on the CCM scene in 1994 with her self-titled ForeFront Records album and has since won numerous Dove Awards, and earned nine No. 1 Christian radio singles as well as two Gold-certified recordings. As an author, she penned titles including Wait For Me (Thomas Nelson) and Pure (Hachette/Faithwords). She starred in the 2009 film Sarah’s Choice and portrayed Mary Magdalene in the rock opera !Hero. She also co-wrote songs for for King & Country’s 2019 album Burn the Ships and is the co-host of the weekly podcast Rebecca St. James & Family.