“Gutter Punk” opens with intricate guitar picking, pulsating electronic percussion, and lyrics more akin to Kerouac than K-LOVE. It’s Squyres at his most prophetically poetic — a street preacher’s hymn, part elegy, part anthem for a faith that limps while singing. “I can’t afford to live in this economy/The Spirit of the Lord has got a hold on me/Buckle up if you insist/Drinking of this eucharist,” he sings with weary yet hopeful conviction. The production feels intimate, with human-tinged stuttering drums and a voice that sounds like it’s channeled through an old amp and a worn heart. This draws listeners in, showcasing Squyres’ lyrical prowess and Jacob Early’s deft production.
The title track, “Miracle Service,” melds electronic percussion with gentle guitar, urging listeners to live in the present: “Never mind the future/Turn off your computer/The side effect of faith is you get a sense of humor.” The chorus pleads, “Dash me on the Rock of Ages/Let me break as darkness rages/Anything to feel Your love again.” Its raw honesty resonates deeply, and I doubt I’ll be alone in feeling its solidarity. “Baja Blast” is Squyres’ most surprising and tender track yet. It’s brought me to tears with every listen, and I’ll leave it at that for you to discover. It may be one of his finest songs.
Finally, a worshipful song titled “Jeff Buckley” wasn’t on my 2025 bingo card, but it’s a bold, brilliant move. Naming a track after the late alt-rock icon, Squyres crafts a love letter to doubt. “There is more to life than economic pressure/We are earthen vessels overflowing treasure/In the age of doubt, all that’s left is to sing,” he concludes simply. Ardent yet hushed, nostalgic yet mournful, it’s a stunning closer.
Miracle Service is jagged yet tender, weary yet worshipful. These songs aren’t for Sunday morning playlists; they’re for the after-midnight crowd wrestling with grace’s reality. Listen closely, and you’ll hear God haunting every note.
– Review date: 6/14/25, written by Josh Balogh of Jesusfreakhideout.com