The first new live Hillsong United recording since 2006 releases May 26 from Integrity Music (Provident-Integrity Distribution). Across the Earth: Tear Down the Walls features 11 new songs from the best-selling band.

Urban inspirational vocal band G.I. (God’s Image)—brothers Branden and Marlon Anderson on keyboards and bass, respectively; drummer Lamonte Harris; and keyboardist Curtis Langley—debuts May 5 with God’s Image on its own BGA Music Group label. Distribution by K1 (formerly Koch) Entertainment.

Joy Lippard—an 18-year-old pop singer and former winner of the Gospel Music Association’s Music in the Rockies competition for songwriting—released her debut album Feb. 24 (Go Global Entertainment/Koch Entertainment Distribution). The self-titled album’s first single, “Miracle,” is getting interest from Christian adult contemporary radio.

Crash, the sophomore album from Christian rock quartet Decyfer Down (INO Records/Provident-Integrity)—featuring new lead singer TJ Harris, who replaces Caleb Oliver—releases May 5. The hard-driving album’s title track has already reached the top spot on the Christian rock charts. The group previously had its music featured in professional sports stadiums, including NBA and NHL arenas.

Hip Hope Hits 2009, a compilation of hip-hop and rap, released Feb. 3 from Gotee Records (EMI CMG Distribution). The fifth album in the series features tracks from Toby Mac, Verbs, B. Reith, KJ-52, Canton Jones and others.

Christian songs continue to find their way onto television as labels look to increase licensing revenue and find new ways to market music. The latest examples include “Get Up” by Mary Mary (from 2008’s The Sound, Integrity Music/Provident-Integrity Distribution), heard on ABC’s Ugly Betty in November 2008, and Lanae’ Hale’s “Back and Forth,” featured on MTV’s The Hills the following month. The song is from Hale’s forthcoming album (Centricity Music/Word Distribution), which is currently untitled but slated for a spring release.