“There is always that indescribably out of this world feeling you get when you get to listen to an artist like Amanda for the first time. Amanda Danziger- an independent singer-songwriter from Pennsylvania, has a voice of gold; one that you’d easily confuse for a mega superstar and the way she performs, owning the craft and showcasing passion will leave a lasting impression on any listener. Her music really transcends the spiritual boundaries and having a strong foundation through her church upbringing and also from her own personal experiences, she is now a vessel for the gospel and the best thing about her moving songs is that they reflect a very inner and deep reverence for God and his never-ending grace and love.”
-DERRICK TCHIE, Gospel Hydration
Amanda Danziger Music
Discography
Seasons Instrumental
RELEASE DATE: January 21, 2023
Seasons highlights soundscapes that paint musical pictures for each season.
Seasons is an EP project done over the coarse of 2022. Written in collaboration with Filipe Michael (co-writer and composer), Seasons released one song in its season during the year. We then completed the project on November 4, 2022 with an introductory track, titled Seasons, and ending the last track on Be Still, which concludes the season of fall. This is the instrumental EP of Seasons.
Seasons
RELEASE DATE: November 4, 2022
Seasons highlights soundscapes that paint musical pictures for each season.
Seasons is an EP project done over the coarse of 2022. Written in collaboration with Filipe Michael (co-writer and composer), Seasons released one song in its season during the year. We then completed the project on November 4, 2022 with an introductory track, titled Seasons, and ending the last track on Be Still, which concludes the season of fall.
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Amanda Danziger is really pushing the boundaries of what worship music is and can be. Nothing on this EP “sounds” like what we know as “worship music,” but the lyrics seem to lift up Christ in a more real way. The music is captivating, and the vocals and melodies do so much to get the best out of each song. The EP is put together with a lot of forethought and you can easily see the effort put in from both Danziger and Michael. Seasons would be a great listen to get away from the coming holiday madness for some quiet reflection and time of worship. The world may not know it yet, but Amanda Danziger is a star. Her heart for the music and for worshipping our Creator just make the experience that much better.
-MICHAEL WEAVER, JESUSFREAKHIDEOUT.COM (READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE)
Refining Fire
RELEASE DATE: August 12, 2022
Refining Fire is the third installment to my Seasons project, representing summer. I will be releasing one song per season this year (2022). For more information about Seasons check out CCM Magazine.
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There is always that indescribably out of this world feeling you get when you get to listen to an artist like Amanda for the first time. Amanda Danziger- an independent singer-songwriter from Pennsylvania, has a voice of gold; one that you’d easily confuse for a mega superstar and the way she performs, owning the craft and showcasing passion will leave a lasting impression on any listener. Her music really transcends the spiritual boundaries and having a strong foundation through her church upbringing and also from her own personal experiences, she is now a vessel for the gospel and the best thing about her moving songs is that they reflect a very inner and deep reverence for God and his never-ending grace and love.
“Refining Fire” feels like the Holy Spirit just dropped- everything about the song is attractive; talk about the impactful songwriting that feels so poetic and is embellished with a certain depth of worship and inspiration that the world really can do with right now. Her vocals are so pure and feel like cotton candy, melting faultlessly through your heart and possessing so much faultless power!
-DERRICK TCHIE, GOSPEL HYDRATION (READ FULL REVIEW HERE)
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Amanda Danziger has become one of my more highly-anticipated recent discoveries. Single after single, she proves to be a competent songwriter with a strong gift for songwriting. She's even caught the attention of Integrity Music, who struck up a licensing deal with Danziger just in time for her current series of singles. "Refining Fire" is the third single from her upcoming Seasons EP, and is the summer song from the project.
The song is releasing in mid-August, right in the middle of the summer season. However, the song's style is (whether ironically or intentionally) almost the anti-summer jam. It's a slower tune, with a much more mellow rhythm than you'd expect from a summer theme. The song does pick up, in a sense, but instead of a growing BPM, Danziger adds layer after layer, with a huge crescendo of orchestral instrumentation around the mid-point of the song. After the big build-up and release, the song then quietly fades out with some soft piano and calls it a day (or a season, if you will), likely feeding directly into her forthcoming autumn song (which is scheduled to come alongside the release of the full EP).
While the music is more akin to the colder months of the year, the lyrics are where the summery feeling come in. As summer is generally the season of nostalgia for many, myself included, it makes sense that Danziger would make references to childhood, wanting to desire Jesus with a passion she had for lesser things as a kid ("The embers are falling thin / Jesus take hold of my sin / the passion I had as a kid / the summers I ran with the wind"). The song is quite simple, with easy-to-grasp lyricism and familiar imagery, which, for me, makes it easily relatable. It's a call to the Lord for purification: "Refine my heart, fan into flame / breathe on my life a burning desire / capture my heart, the embers within / breathe on this heart a roaring fire."
Not all of Danziger's singles have been hits for me, personally, but those misses have been few and far between. "Refining Fire" is another hit, and an indication that her Seasons EP will be one to keep my eye on and spend some time with. I'd love to get a full album from her at some point in the near future instead of a series of singles, but I've also found some enjoyment in her current output. Whatever happens, I plan to be along for the ride.
-SCOTT FRYBERGER, JESUSFREAKHIDEOUT.COM
Written by, Amanda Danziger & Filipe Michael
Produced by, Filipe Michael
Mixed by, Filipe Michael
Mastered by, Lucas Pimentel
Art Direction, Amanda Danziger
Prison Walls
RELEASE DATE: April 29, 2022
Prison Walls is the second installment to my Seasons project. I will be releasing one song per season this year (2022). For more information visit CCM Magazine.
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Amanda Danziger is back in 2022 with a second helping of a tantalizingly good single in advance of her upcoming fall EP. This track, titled “Prison Walls,” contains more of the swirling instrumentation, acrobatic vocals, and wailing electric guitars for which she is becoming increasingly known. But though the music is excellent, the best part of this particular song, in my estimation, is her vocals.
With holy defiance, she uses her voice to match the tension produced by the haunting melody, with it rising and falling to accentuate lyrics like these from the chorus, “These prison walls fall down when I sing/Hallelujah, my chains are gone/You break the walls down, Lord, when I sing.” Elsewhere, Amanda sings the reminder to herself and her listeners that the war is already won, stating resolutely, “The war is over, so raise a white flag/There’s no time for battle, we’re in the promised land.”
All in all, “Prison Walls” is another tasty appetizer for what promises to be a set of interesting and fresh indie tunes that more ears need to hear.
-JOSH BALOGH, JESUSFREAKHIDEOUT.COM
Written by, Amanda Danziger & Filipe Michael
Produced by, Filipe Michael
Mixed by, Filipe Michael
Mastered by, Vinnie Albrandi
Art Direction, Amanda Danziger
Vindicate
RELEASE DATE: January 21, 2022
Vindicate is the wintery start to my seasons project. I will be releasing a song per season this year (2022). For more information visit CMM Magazine.
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From the listener's perspective, 2021 may not seem to have been a busy year for Amanda Danziger, having released only three singles, but when you consider the strength and growth found in each new single, this relative newcomer seems to be doing things right. Her upward trajectory only continues with her newest single, "Vindicate," the first in a series of seasonal singles.
"Vindicate" was tailor-made to be released in January, the dead of winter, with its somber, almost dark mood. The acoustic guitar, haunting white noise, and Danziger's quiet, breathy vocals could make the listener think that it was recorded in a cabin during a snowstorm, with just a candle for light. It picks up a little, with some Neon Beach-esque synth (his track "Love So Blind," in particular), and Danziger does get louder and more experimental with her voice, reminding me of singers like Björk or the late Dolores O'Riordan (The Cranberries). But even as it becomes slightly more upbeat, the song still gives off a chilly, wintery vibe.
In a bit of juxtaposition, the lyrics are far from sharing that same sense of darkness and loneliness. Danziger doesn't shy away from the season or try to hide the fact that it's cold outside. Instead, she shifts her focus to the sustainer of life, who promises to never forsake us ("Come walk with me / show me all Your wonder / illuminate the road from me to You / there is a light beyond the cold / in Your garden I long to see)." The contrast is unexpected, but more than welcome, as she reminds us several times that "winter is just a season."
With her recent work, Amanda Danziger has rightfully placed herself on my radar. She keeps getting better, and I have nothing but high hopes for the music she'll be releasing throughout 2022. Make sure to check out "Vindicate" in January, and if you haven't already, go check out her other material. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
-SCOTT FRYBERGER, JESUSFREAKHIDEOUT.COM
Written by, Amanda Danziger & Filipe Michael
Produced by, Filipe Michael
Mixed by, Filipe Michael
Mastered by, Vinnie Albrandi
Art Direction, Amanda Danziger
Don’t Look Back
RELEASE DATE: August 11, 2021
When a toxic person can no longer control you, they will try to control how others see you. Misinformation feels unfair, but you have to stay above it — trust God through the process, and trust that other people will eventually see the truth as you have. Moving forward and forgetting about what others think, and allow your heart to rest in God’s trust.
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“‘Don’t Look Back’, is a song that describes a situation that we all may fall prey to at one point or another. When you are being treated unfairly, or your name is being dragged through the mud, it can be tempting to bite back out of anger, hurt, and vengeance.
Amanda gives us a reminder of who it is that truly fights our battles. Although it can be dreadful and painful, those closest to us and more importantly, God, knows our heart. When you find yourself in a place like this, know that you can rest in God’s faithful and comforting presence, even in the midst of the chaos.
Don’t allow that which lies behind to keep you from where God is leading you, or more succinctly put, ‘Don’t’ Look Back’. ”
— MELISSA MAYBURGH, GOSPEL HYDRATION
“Her latest single, "Don't Look Back," is a pop song with a darker feel to it. Given the subject matter of dealing with fears, however, it's a perfect fit. The song has three verses that all have a different sound. The opening verse is a favorite and hooks you from the start. The fuzzier sounding guitar that helps carry the rhythm is an immediate attention grabber, but the clean delayed guitar really fills the gaps and sets it off nicely. The second verse is more straightforward musically, but still pushes the main sound forward. However, the music in third verse drops out and relies heavily on effects. The background vocals here are eerie, but they work perfectly - as does the repeated "(un)breakable" that brings it to a close. In the chorus Danziger sings, "How can I face my fears with all my tears? I know that You interfere and persevere. Please assure me You are here and always near. I can never go back, no, and I'll follow and I'll go."
-MICHAEL WEAVER, JESUSFREAKHIDEOUT.COM
Written by, Amanda Danziger & Filipe Michael
Produced by, Filipe Michael
Mixed by, Filipe Michael
Mastered by, Vinnie Albrandi
Art Direction, Amanda Danziger
How Long
RELEASE DATE: April 23, 2021
A song based off of Psalm 13
Up your listening experience: listen with headphones for 8-D audio, and experience “wrestling thoughts.”
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“Amanda Danziger sprung onto the music scene in 2019 with her five-song EP, Head & Heart, which featured a refreshing indie/alt bent adding a slight twist on the familiar worship formula. With lyrics drenched in Scriptural influence, arresting vocal chops, and musical soundscapes soaked in gorgeous string sections, she quickly established herself as one to watch.
After releasing only one song in 2020, titled “The Only,” she dropped the tune “Intercede” early in 2021, and has immediately followed it with this absolute career highlight song, “How Long.” Taking the anguished lament of Psalm 13 directly and putting it to a haunting minor-key melody with assistance from her frequent arrangement collaborator Filipe Michael, Danziger seeks to deliver a knock-out blow to anxiety, depression, and suffering. This she does deftly and resoundingly. Starting with a simple guitar-pick and transitioning to a tight string arrangement at the one-minute mark effectively adds the tension being conveyed in Psalm 13 by the Psalmist who is desperately calling out for God to respond while He seems strangely quiet. Utilizing her emotive voice, Amanda alternates between the powerful rich center of her range and the lilting higher range, bobbing and weaving artfully like a skilled dancer. It’s truly satisfying and begs to be listened to in headphones to catch all the nuances.
”How Long” is a home run of a song and a much-needed encouragement for the body of Christ that is sure to make this listener’s top tracks of the year playlist. I sincerely hope that there is more music from Amanda Danziger in the works; I for one am keeping my ears open for more as soon as possible.”
— JOSH BALOGH, JESUSFREAKHIDEOUT.COM
Written by, Amanda Danziger & Filipe Michael
Produced by, Filipe Michael
Mixed by, Filipe Michael
Mastered by, Vinnie Albrandi
Art Direction, Amanda Danziger
Based off the words from Psalm 13
Intercede
RELEASE DATE: January 8, 2021
When the words are gone, there is an advocate on my behalf: searching and groaning the prayers that are too deep for words.
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“After releasing her 5-song EP Head & Heart in 2019, singer/songwriter Amanda Danziger has decided to take things a little slower (at least compared to modern standards), releasing one single in 2020. But she jump-started 2021 with another new single, “Intercede.” Danziger follows in the footsteps of singers like Audrey Assad and JJ Heller, albeit with a bit more of a synthetic pop sound. The song isn’t necessarily a busy song, but it does have a lot of things going on: a mid-tempo, techno-like thumping beat in the chorus; pretty, music box-style verses; and electric guitars near the end that take the song out in grand fashion. Additionally, Danziger uses a lot of layered vocals when it enhances the song, but she also shows off her singing skills from time to time with no layers, proving herself as a wonderful vocalist. Lyrically, “Intercede” pulls from Romans 8:26-27, which says, “”Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Danziger recounts the times in prayer where we can be so desperate for something from God without necessarily knowing what. The lyrics are rather simple, but easy to resonate with: “Dear Spirit, I’m weak, intercede for me / deep inside, search my heart, know my mind / intercede for me, pray the words I cannot / search me and know me, intercede for me.” With her terrific combination of solid indie pop music, strong vocals, and honest, relatable lyrics, Amanda Danziger is an artist that we should pay close attention to. I hope to hear more from her sooner rather than later.”
— JOHN UNDERDOWN, JESUSFREAKHIDEOUT.COM
Written by, Amanda Danziger & Filipe Michael
Produced by, Filipe Michael
Mixed by, Filipe Michael
Mastered by, Vinnie Albrandi
Art Direction, Amanda Danziger
The Only
RELEASE DATE: May 3, 2020
This song is meant to be a prayer of hope shared with the world. Because, despite this turmoil, for me there has been hope and peace in Jesus. I had a personal reality check two years ago in a hospital bed where fear overcame my soul to the point of hopelessness and I was blatantly faced with my own mortality. That experience has become a creative springboard for my writing. I want to share the genuine hope I found with others. At this time people are facing uncertainty about life, the possibility of death, and are on the verge of losing hope. This song is intended to share the hope we have in Jesus and to reflect Jesus’ light into the darkness around us.
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“In a time of bleak uncertainty, indie artist Amanda Danziger releases a single that intends to bring hope through the gospel. “The Only” is a quick three-minute listen that is musically haunting and lyrically worshipful, crediting Jesus as the only hope for the lonely and broken. Given how isolated people feel coming out of quarantine and how shaken society seems with the riots, “The Only” touches a nerve but also soothes it.”
— JOHN UNDERDOWN JESUS FREAK HIDEOUT
“This is not your typical worship leader kinda of stuff that all sounds the same to me. Her new song, “The Only” is just another one of my new favorites.”
Written by, Amanda Danziger & Filipe Michael
Produced by, Filipe Michael
Mixed by, Filipe Micahel
Mastered by, Vinnie Albrandi
Art Direction, Amanda Danziger
Head & Heart
RELEASE DATE: October 7, 2019
“This project is refreshingly elegant. It’s stripped-down, yet not simple. The string arrangements make it stand apart from all of the synth-heavy worship that currently dominates the worship scene.”
All songs written by, Amanda Danziger / Musical arrangements, Filipe Michael, Amanda Danziger, Antonio & Allison Marin, Darius Smith / Vocals, Amanda Danziger, Josh Burgos / Drums, Ish Melton / Bass, Bruce Kite / Guitars, Filipe Michael / Keys, Filipe Michael, Alexis Manzueta / Piano, Darius Smith / Strings, Antonio & Allison Marin / Programming, Filipe Michael
Produced by, Filipe Michael
Recording Engineers, Filipe Michael, Paul Ney, David Sviontek
Mixing Engineer, Jeff Cain
Mastered by, Vinnie Alibrandi
Photography, Bruce Kite / Art Direction, Amanda Danziger