By Christian Dispatch Staff | July 14, 2025
Christian and gospel music are experiencing a notable resurgence in the U.S., even as overall music streaming growth begins to slow, according to Luminate’s 2025 Midyear Report.
While global and U.S. music streams continue to increase—reaching 2.5 trillion and 696.6 billion respectively in the first half of 2025—the rate of growth has declined compared to previous years. In the U.S., on-demand streaming now accounts for 92% of all music consumption.
Among the fastest-growing genres are rock, Latin, country, and notably, Christian/gospel music. Unlike most genres, new Christian releases have continued to grow in popularity, fueled by artists such as Brandon Lake, Elevation Worship, and Forrest Frank. Luminate attributes this rise to a younger, digitally engaged audience, mostly female and largely millennial.
Also on the rise is “recession pop”—upbeat pop hits from the late 2000s and early 2010s—reflecting a nostalgic trend among listeners. Songs by artists like Miley Cyrus, Bruno Mars, and Lady Gaga are seeing renewed popularity, as Americans turn to feel-good music amid economic uncertainty.
Christian music’s upward trajectory signals a shift in listener preferences and a broader cultural moment where faith-based and uplifting content is finding renewed relevance.