Emerging Christian artist Arielle Nicole releases her powerful new single, "Brand New," to Christian radio, delivering an uplifting anthem about transformation through the Holy Spirit. Written by Arielle Church, Taron Church, Javier Ordenes, Eris Ordenes and Cameron Theodos, and produced by Taron Church and Javier Ordenes, the vibrant track blends soaring vocals with an infectious melody that celebrates God's restoring power and the freedom found in Christ. Inspired by Arielle's personal journey overcoming anxiety and OCD through faith, the song reflects her testimony of renewal and grace. Following her debut EP Rest and recognition as ChristianSongwriting.com's 21st Annual Songwriter of the Year, Arielle continues to create heartfelt music that resonates with listeners seeking hope. "Brand New" is now impacting Christian AC and CHR radio and streaming worldwide.
Q: For listeners just discovering you, who is Arielle Nichole beyond the music, and what moments in your life most shaped your faith journey?
I'm a lover of Jesus first, and a wife, a daughter and a friend. I love life and connection with people. Small-town coffee dates, movie nights, and outings to get pho or sushi are all things that I absolutely love!
One moment when I was 11 years old marked the beginning of this amazing journey with the Lord - I was at a Dare 2 Share conference in Denver with my youth group, and during worship, the band was playing Revelation Song. Thousands of people were lifting their voices to God. In that moment I felt that Jesus was pursuing me, that He was calling me. I knew He was real and that He loved me, and I dedicated my life to following Him.
Since that day I've been so shaped by the quiet moments alone with my Bible at the kitchen table or in my room spent with Jesus. The intimate times of prayer and worship where I can just share any and everything with the Lord and get to know His character have been the times that have marked my journey with Him. He has been so faithful in every change, in every unknown, in every mundane moment. Life is so unpredictable, but He has never changed.
Q: "Brand New" centers on transformation through the Holy Spirit. Was there a specific season or moment in your life that inspired this song?
Funny enough, the story behind Brand New also began at a conference during worship. In 2024, my husband and I attended the Passion Conference at the Mercedes Benz Stadium. During worship, the roof opened up, and a fresh wind rushed into the stadium. I remember feeling the sunlight on my face and breathing in the outside air as an arena full of young people sang praises to the Lord.
Later that weekend, Christine Cain was talking about the "new thing" that God is doing, and that we get to be a part of it. I was encouraged by this to not look back, but to look ahead to what God is doing and how He wants to use me for His Kingdom. Because of Jesus, we can be brand new. This furthered the idea that was sparked earlier during Passion, and my husband and I got to work writing the song. We worked together with our friends Cameron Theodos, Javi and Eris Ordenes, Matt Marin and Jarin Bressler to complete the song and we are so excited with how it turned out. I love the reminder it brings that in Christ we are a new creation!
Q: You've been open about walking through anxiety and obsessive-compulsive struggles. How has Jesus met you in those places, and how does that healing show up in your songwriting?
I have struggled with anxiety from a super young age. I remember feeling trapped inside my own mind and honestly just exhausted. There was a time when the OCD was getting so bad that my parents asked a Christian counselor to come to our home and speak with me. The counselor said something that really helped me. He told me that I was under God's umbrella, and that I didn't need to worry. This simple statement brought so much comfort to my young mind. Slowly, I stopped obeying the obsessions and intrusive thoughts that would plague my brain, and I started realizing that nothing bad would happen if I didn't count the stairs, wash my hands 7 times, or repeat nonsense words in my head. This began the realization that there are things that are simply outside of my control, and that I could trust God with them. It was terrifying and difficult, but letting those thoughts come and go, not trying to fight them and going to therapy really helped loosen the grip that OCD had on me. I still have days when I struggle with the feeling of not having control and worrying about the future, but Jesus has been so near to me in those moments. He has helped me let my mind rest and assured me that I don't need to figure it all out. I get to see His faithfulness in the midst of my weakness, and to hopefully help others through their mental health struggles. There have been so many times when I'm going through something mentally and a scripture will pop into my head. I'll start singing that scripture over myself and it will bring so much peace to my heart. This has been the starting point of many of the songs I write.
Q: The lyrics describe the Holy Spirit "rushing in like a flood." What does spiritual renewal look like for you in everyday life, not just in worship moments?
Reading and delighting in God's Word is the way I've seen my mind be transformed. Sometimes that looks like reading a passage that day and it just speaks to the exact thing I'm going through, giving me direction and revelation about how to navigate it. Other times it looks like Googling what the Bible says about a certain topic. I'll be honest and tell you that reading the Bible doesn't always feel like the most exciting thing in the world. Some days it's really hard to stay focused and I can slip into the motion of "checking a box." On those days what has helped me is changing it up - going for a walk, drawing, calling a friend, or even just thanking God for specific things I'm grateful for that day. Seeing God's hand in my everyday life has shown me by experience who He is and has given me the hope that I need for the next day!
Q: Your debut EP Rest introduced listeners to a more contemplative side of your artistry. How does "Brand New" represent growth or a new chapter for you musically and spiritually?
I love the Rest EP and how that record helped me to overcome the anxiety I was dealing with in that season. It's funny because when I start to worry, multiple people in my life recite my own lyrics to me and tell me to let my mind rest! I go back to those songs when I need them and for that I'm so grateful.
With Brand New, I feel like I've been able to lean more into the Christian Soul/Pop space and I'm so excited about that. It feels like a brand new season of personal growth with the same heartbeat as my previous record. I cannot wait to continue to share the songs I've been working on with you! I have a passion for writing singable, memorable lyrics and melodies that serve as portable reminders for people when they need them. Taking scriptures and revelations and putting them to song has helped me so much, and I love getting to share those songs with my listeners! My prayer is that God be glorified through every single song I write and for people to be pointed toward a personal relationship with Jesus!
Q: For someone listening to "Brand New" who feels stuck, weary, or longing for change, what do you hope they walk away believing about God - and about themselves?
I hope that anyone who listens to Brand New is given the same hope that I have - that in Jesus, your past isn't held against you anymore. When you say yes to His invitation to follow Him, you are totally and completely forgiven. Every sin is washed away. You are given the Holy Spirit, Who gives you everything you need to be who He is calling you to be. It's not by your strength or your striving that you live anymore. It's through Him and the transformative love of Jesus that you walk through this life. Because of Jesus, you are a brand new creation!
Listen to "Brand New":
https://open.spotify.com/track/1OqFtetOBs2H2ovuxfutbL
Connect with Arielle Nichole:
https://www.ariellenichole.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ariellenicholemusic
https://www.instagram.com/ariellenichole.music/
