By Andy Argyrakis

NEW JARS EP

Two years have passed since Jars of Clay’s last proper project Good Monsters (Essential), but Christmas and retrospective collections helped tide over faithful followers. Today’s digital EP release, Closer, provides an even more productive bridging of the gap with five new alternative pop/rock tracks (one of which is a new rendering of the golden oldie “Love Song For a Savior”). Those preferring the physical format can also pick up the collection on August 19 via the band’s own Grey Matter Records.

NEW NOISE FROM NORMA

Those who’ve caught this summer’s “Vans Warped Tour” have already heard tracks from Norma Jean’s fourth studio CD, The Anti Mother, though the wait is finally over for those who didn’t catch one of its scalding shows. Outside of the band’s backbreaking rhythms and hardcore rumblings, the project also features an impressive list of guest stars, including Page Hamilton (Helmet), Chino Moreno (the Deftones) and Cove Reber (Saosin).

COMFORTING COUNTRY FROM COLLINS

Faith-based country crooner Curt Collins launches his third project, Another Day (FSS Music Group), which comes under the production helm of Curb recording artist Jamie Slocum. The project includes two cuts penned by Collins, covers of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” and Richard Page’s “Shelter Me,” plus re-arranged versions of the classic hymns “Blessed Assurance” and “Jesus Paid It All.” Thus far, the title track has skyrocketed into the Top 10 of Christian Radio Weekly’s Inspo chart and was No. 18 on Radio & Record’s Inspo chart at press time.

AGGRESSION FROM ALAKRITY

Indie act Alakrity is all about the online world, releasing its spiritually centered Whatever Happened To Good TV? via iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster, eMusic, GroupieTunes, Amazon and all other major digital retailers (though a standard edition is coming soon). As for the sounds packed within, expect plenty of bubbly pop/punk produced by Dan Needham (Everlife) and also feature guest singer John Schlitt on a cover of Petra’s “Beyond Belief.”

For a complete list of new and upcoming albums, check out our new releases page.