Josiah Queen Confronts Fear and Reclaims Joy on New Single “demons”

Josiah Queen opens 2026 with a bold, soul-searching statement. His new single “demons,” out now via Capitol Records/Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG), is a triumphant anthem about confronting fear, reclaiming joy, and refusing to let darkness have the final word. Anchored by a soaring chorus — “Fear ain’t gotta home here up inside my mind / Darkness has to leave up in this light” — the track captures Queen at his most resolute and vulnerable.

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Co-written by Queen alongside singer-songwriter John Michael Howell (who also produced the track), Zac Lawson, and Dylan Thomas of Hillsong UNITED, “demons” reunites the same creative team behind Queen’s breakout hit “Dusty Bibles.” Anticipation for the song was immediate and overwhelming: teasers amassed more than 11 million views and inspired over 1,200 TikTok creations before the official release.

For Queen, the song is deeply personal. “This song came from a real battle in my mind and the reminder that I don’t fight alone,” he shares. “When I prayed, God didn’t just hear me — He answered. It’s a declaration that fear and darkness don’t get the final word when your trust and hope is in Jesus.”

That message carries into the official music video, directed by frequent collaborator Brady Pettee. Set against a stark winter backdrop, the visual finds Queen stranded in the snow with a broken-down truck. As he builds a fire to survive the night, he makes a symbolic sacrifice — surrendering one of his most cherished possessions to the flames — a powerful metaphor for release, faith, and renewal.

“demons” marks Queen’s first solo release since his 2025 album Mt. Zion, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart, reached No. 4 on Americana/Folk Albums, and landed at No. 12 on the Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart. The album’s lead single “Dusty Bibles” became his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Gold by the RIAA less than six months after release.

Billboard has praised Queen’s artistry, highlighting his “rustic, acoustic-folk sound” and noting that he possesses “a troubadour’s knack for translating keen observations into evocative songs.” At just 23 years old, the Tampa native turned Nashville resident continues to prove that acclaim is well earned.

Following the release of Mt. Zion, Queen celebrated with a headline show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, which sold out in under 48 hours. He now brings that momentum to the road with the Mt. Zion Tour, kicking off March 7 in Louisville, Kentucky. With over 90,000 tickets already sold, the 34-date North American headline run is nearly sold out, marking the largest tour of his career after two consecutive sold-out outings.

The tour includes a sold-out stop at The Novo in Los Angeles on April 12 and two highly anticipated nights at New York City’s Palladium Times Square on May 6 and 7. Special guests Jervis Campbell and Gable Price will join Queen throughout the run. Price also appears with Queen on “Thief In The Night” from Mt. Zion, while Queen’s collaboration with Brandon Lake, “Can’t Steal My Joy,” spent multiple weeks at No. 1 on Christian radio and appeared on Billboard’s year-end Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.

With over 1.3 billion combined global streams, Josiah Queen now ranks among the top three Christian streaming artists worldwide — and with “demons,” he makes it clear that his next chapter is defined not by fear, but by faith, resilience, and light.