Brandon Lake has firmly established himself as one of the most powerful voices in contemporary Christian music — and his fifth studio album, King of Hearts, is his boldest statement yet. From chart-topping singles to sold-out arenas and a Grammy nomination, the Brandon Lake King of Hearts project is a milestone not just for the artist, but for Christian music as a whole. Here is a comprehensive look at the song, the album, and everything surrounding it.
Who Is Brandon Lake?
Brandon Lake is a five-time Grammy Award-winning and GMA Dove Award-winning artist, songwriter, and worship leader based in Charleston, South Carolina, where he lives with his wife Brittany and their three sons. Over the course of his career, he has received a total of ten Grammy nominations and has become a central figure in the global Christian worship movement.
Known for his work with Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music, Lake has built a devoted following through a combination of soul-stirring songwriting, genuine faith, and an ability to blend musical genres in a way rarely seen in Christian music. He has been open about the fact that fame is not his motivation. His focus has always been on shepherding the hearts of his listeners and leading people into authentic encounters with God.
The “King of Hearts” Song: Meaning & Background
“King of Hearts” is the title track from Brandon Lake’s fifth studio album of the same name, released on June 13, 2025, through Provident Label Group and Sony Music Entertainment. The song was co-written by Brandon Lake, Jacob Sooter, and Hank Bentley, with Sooter and Bentley also serving as producers. A full music video and lyric video were released alongside the song on the same date.
Musically, the song is set in the key of D, moves at 87 beats per minute in a 6/8 time signature, and runs for 4 minutes and 28 seconds — a thoughtful, unhurried piece built for reflection and worship.
The song was first unveiled on April 2, 2025, during a live “record reveal” performance at the Riviera Theatre in Charleston, South Carolina, which was also live-streamed to fans around the world. It received its first radio airplay on Air1 on June 10, just days before the full album dropped.
Lake has spoken openly about the heart behind the song and the album as a whole: “It’s not for the seemingly put together, but for those honest about their brokenness, longing to connect with their Creator. He is King of the universe, nations, creation — but most of all, King of hearts.”
The King of Hearts Album: A Complete Overview
Release & Label
King of Hearts was released on June 13, 2025, through Provident Label Group and Sony Music Entertainment — a joint venture that places Lake among the most prominently distributed artists in Christian music today. The album contains 16 tracks with a total runtime of 1 hour and 13 minutes.
The Vision Behind the Album
King of Hearts builds on the success of Lake’s 2023 breakthrough album Coat of Many Colors, which produced major hits including “Praise You Anywhere” and “Count ‘Em.” Where that album established Lake as a solo superstar, King of Hearts pushes his artistry even further, weaving heartland rock, country twang, R&B grooves, and pop anthems into a musically ambitious worship project.
The album is deeply personal. Lake described his vision for the project as something made not for the polished or the perfect, but for those who are honest about their struggles and still reaching out toward their Creator. That vulnerability is felt across every track.
Featured Artists & Collaborations
The album features an impressive roster of collaborators. Grammy Award-winner CeCe Winans, rapper and singer Hulvey, country superstar Jelly Roll, and singer-songwriter Hank Bentley all appear on the record. The project also includes a version of “I Know a Name” with Elevation Worship, the ministry with which Lake has had a long and celebrated relationship.
The album has received major media coverage, earning features on American Idol, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NPR, Forbes, Billboard, and American Songwriter — a testament to how far Brandon Lake’s reach now extends beyond traditional Christian music audiences.
The Hit Singles
“That’s Who I Praise”
The lead single from King of Hearts was released on July 29, 2024 — nearly a year before the full album arrived. Written by Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Benjamin William Hastings, Micah Nichols, Zac Lawson, and JVKE (Jake Lawson), the song became a major Christian radio hit, spending 15 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard Christian Airplay. It earned Lake Worship Song of the Year at the K-LOVE Fan Awards, alongside Artist of the Year and Male Artist of the Year.
Hard Fought Hallelujah” (feat. Jelly Roll)
Released on November 8, 2024, “Hard Fought Hallelujah” became the breakout crossover moment of Brandon Lake’s career. The song reached No. 40 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 — his first-ever entry on the chart — and climbed to No. 1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart, where it remained for 29 weeks. It has been certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA.
The collaboration with Jelly Roll, a Grammy-nominated country artist known for his own story of redemption and faith, gave the song a universal message that resonated far beyond the Christian music world. The track led to performances at the Grand Ole Opry, appearances on American Idol, and a string of sold-out arena shows across North America. It also earned Song of the Year at the K-LOVE Fan Awards.
“I Know a Name” (feat. Elevation Worship & CeCe Winans)
Released on February 14, 2025, “I Know a Name” reunited Lake with Elevation Worship and brought in Gospel legend CeCe Winans for a version that became an instant favorite among worship communities. The song peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart. An exclusive solo version was also released on Amazon Music.
“Daddy’s DNA”
Released on April 29, 2025 as a promotional single, “Daddy’s DNA” showcases one of the more tender and poetic sides of the album, drawing on themes of identity, belonging, and spiritual inheritance.
“Sevens”
The fourth and final pre-release single, “Sevens,” dropped on May 15, 2025, to celebrate King of Hearts reaching 20,000 presaves within its first week of announcement. Lake revealed that the song is a reference to the rainbow, which features seven colors — a symbol of God’s promise and covenant love.
Chart Performance & Commercial Success
King of Hearts made an immediate and remarkable commercial impact. The album sold approximately 37,000 copies in the United States within its first week, debuting at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 — Lake’s first-ever top-ten entry on the chart. It also landed at No. 3 on the Top Album Sales chart and No. 30 on the Top Streaming Albums chart.
The album simultaneously topped three Billboard genre charts: Top Christian Albums, Top Rock Albums, and Top Rock & Alternative Albums — a rare crossover achievement for any Christian artist. In the United Kingdom, it reached No. 1 on the Top Christian & Gospel Albums chart, marking the highest Christian album debut of 2025.
Critical Reception & Grammy Nomination
Critics responded warmly to the album’s ambition and authenticity. The project was praised as Lake’s most musically ambitious work to date, praised for blending multiple genres into a cohesive and emotionally compelling worship experience. It was named a top-ten album of 2025 by at least one major Christian music publication.
At the Grammy Awards, King of Hearts received a nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album — further cementing its cultural significance within the genre.
The King of Hearts Tour
Lake announced the King of Hearts Tour on April 6, 2025, in anticipation of the album release. The tour spans 48 cities across the fall of 2025 and into the new year, with Franni Cash — lead vocalist of We The Kingdom — serving as the supporting act for the fall dates.
The tour kicked off on October 2, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida, and has featured a setlist blending fan favorites like “Gratitude,” “Graves Into Gardens,” and “Count ‘Em” alongside new songs from King of Hearts. The fall leg wrapped on November 23 in Spokane, Washington.
Lake has described the response to the tour as overwhelming, calling the experience of selling out arenas “mind blowing.” The King of Hearts Tour has been praised as one of the most significant Christian concert events in recent years, drawing audiences of all ages and backgrounds who are hungry for the kind of authentic, Spirit-filled worship that Lake consistently delivers.
Why “King of Hearts” Resonates
At its core, the message of Brandon Lake King of Hearts is one of radical grace and unconditional love. Lake has said that the album is for the broken, the lonely, the hopeless, the misfits — and even the critics. It is a reminder that no matter how far someone has wandered, God is still pursuing them.
That message, paired with genuinely excellent music and a roster of meaningful collaborations, is exactly why this project has connected with millions of people both inside and outside the church. “Hard Fought Hallelujah” alone has generated tens of thousands of user-created videos on TikTok and Instagram, showing how deeply the song’s message of perseverance and praise has taken root in popular culture.
In a music landscape that can often feel noisy and shallow, King of Hearts offers something different: a body of work that is both creatively adventurous and spiritually substantive.
Final Thoughts
The Brandon Lake King of Hearts album and its title song represent a defining chapter in contemporary Christian music. With back-to-back No. 1 singles, a Grammy nomination, historic chart debuts, sold-out arenas, and an album that dares to be both musically ambitious and raw in its honesty, Brandon Lake has proven that worship music can reach the hearts of people at every stage of life.
Whether you first heard his name through “Hard Fought Hallelujah” or have followed his journey since his early days with Elevation Worship, King of Hearts is an album worth sitting with — and the title song is as good a place as any to start.