Mike Davies has once again fused his deep Christian faith with his love of music, releasing his fourth album, Soul Wash – a heartfelt collaboration that reflects his spiritual journey and his musical roots.

A performer with his church band and appearing in local venues such as Mata Brewery, Davies writes and records music that speaks to believers and general audiences.

His latest project features seven songs.

“Seven rhymes with Heaven,” he said. “Five of the songs are mine, and most are fairly recent.”

The closing track, Heart Lights Up, was written by the late Mark Vallach, who once ran Bethel House, a rehabilitation centre in Whakatāne. Davies said including it was a way to honour his friend’s legacy.

“Soul Wash,” the album’s title track, holds personal significance for Davies.

“It’s about me being on a grassy hill watching the stars,” he said. “I wrote it during Covid, when I had a revelation about God’s unfailing love, even though we doubt it sometimes.”

The moment is visually captured by artist Michaia Richardson, whose artwork graces the album cover.

Though primarily worship-based, Davies said Soul Wash had crossover appeal.

The album features guest vocalists including his wife Robyn and fellow church musician Ngaroma Wignall.

One standout track, Holy is the Lamb, was written by Liberty Church member Andrea Marshall. “We’ve been singing that one at Liberty Church for a number of years,” he said.

The album also features a song in te reo Māori titled Hauria Ahau (Change Me).

Inspiration for Davies music has also come from a recent trip to Hawaii, where he and his wife attended an Indigenous Peoples’ Conference with their church group. While there, they also helped feed the homeless.

Production, mixing, and mastering were handled by Bobby Craig Bo’yack and Moj Mojin, helping bring the album’s message and sound to life.

And Davies isn’t slowing down. His next project is already in progress.

“My next album is going to be called Facing the Enemy, because if you’re not facing the enemy, then you’re probably going in the same direction as him,” he says. “I’ve already written four songs for that one.”

Soul Wash is available now on Spotify and Apple Music, with a Bandcamp release coming soon.