Jayne Denham brings faith, fire and rock ’n’ roll together on ‘God Knows’

Seven-time Golden Guitar nominee Jayne Denham has teamed up with INXS co-founder Andrew Farriss and Nashville songwriter Marti Frederiksen for ‘God Knows’, a soulful country-rock single from her forthcoming album CHURCHES, arriving in February 2027.

Jayne Denham has never been afraid to turn up the volume, but her next musical chapter is bringing her back to where it all began. With her new single ‘God Knows’, the Australian country-rock artist is drawing together the sounds that have shaped her life, from the gospel music of her childhood to the rock anthems that have long been part of her live performances.

Co-written with INXS co-founder Andrew Farriss and Nashville hitmaker Marti Frederiksen, ‘God Knows’ explores the uncertainties of being human, the mistakes people make and the questions that don't always come with easy answers. For Denham, the collaboration was as meaningful as the song itself. 

‘Writing God Knows with Andrew Farriss of INXS and Marti Frederiksen was incredibly special. What started with a shared love of music has grown into genuine friendships, and I feel so lucky to have created this song with two people I respect and admire so much.’

Frederiksen, whose songwriting and production credits include Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill and Def Leppard, has become an important creative partner for Denham as she pushes her contemporary country sound further into rock territory.

Together with Farriss, the trio have created a song that balances soulful reflection with the grit and attitude Denham has become known for.

‘We all lose our way sometimes, and we all have those moments when we wonder who is going to save us or where the answers are going to come from,’ she explains. ‘That’s where the title God Knows really comes into play — sometimes it feels like the answer, and sometimes it feels like the question.’

It's a sentiment that sits at the heart of her forthcoming album, CHURCHES, due for release on 5 February 2027.

Blending country, rock and gospel influences, the record explores the relationship between faith and everyday life, embracing both the certainty and the questions that come with it.

For Denham, it's also an opportunity to bring together musical influences that have often existed in different parts of her career.

‘I grew up singing in church, and that gospel influence has stayed with me throughout my life,’ she says. ‘As I discovered rock music, it became another defining influence on my sound and style, shaping the country rock artist I am today.’

Anyone who has seen Denham perform live will already be familiar with that side of her musical personality.

Her shows have long featured a healthy dose of rock ’n’ roll, including covers of AC/DC's ‘Back in Black’ and Pat Benatar's ‘All Fired Up’, alongside her own country-rock material.

With CHURCHES, those influences are no longer simply part of the live experience. They're central to the music she's making.

The album follows two distinct creative chapters, WANTED, which drew on Spaghetti Western imagery, and MOONSHINE, inspired by the Prohibition era.

Denham describes this next phase as a period of redemption, bringing together the different sides of her musical identity rather than building another record around a particular historical theme.

‘Each chapter has reflected a different part of my musical journey, but CHURCHES brings everything together,’ she explains.

‘With this album, I finally get to bring every side of myself together. If I’m going to tell my story through music, it has to sound like me.’

‘God Knows’ follows a steady run of releases throughout 2026, including ‘Hillbilly Halo’, ‘Preacher’s Son’, ‘Angel of Mercy’, ‘Gotta Believe It’ and ‘Amen’, each offering another glimpse into the direction of the new record.

Together, the songs suggest an artist increasingly comfortable exploring the space between her country foundations and her love of rock and gospel. And while the music may be bigger and bolder, the stories remain grounded in the personal experiences and contradictions that make people human.

For Denham, CHURCHES isn't about having all the answers. It's about acknowledging the questions, accepting the imperfections and finding something meaningful along the way. It's a fitting direction for an artist whose career has been built on powerful performances and a willingness to follow her own musical instincts.

With ‘God Knows’, Jayne Denham is bringing those influences together in a way that feels both familiar and new, setting the stage for what could be her most personal record yet.

‘God Knows’ is released to radio on 12 October and arrives on streaming services on 16 October 2026. CHURCHES is due for release on 5 February 2027.

Upcoming shows

24 October 2026 – Horsham Regfest, Horsham, VIC
15 November 2026 – i98 Illawarra Convoy, Shellharbour Airport, Albion Park Rail, NSW
22 January 2027 – Tamworth Country Music Festival, *CHURCHES* album launch night, Toyota Park, Tamworth, NSW
17 April 2027 – Echuca Country Music Festival (Regfest), Echuca, VIC