Picture this: you’re scrolling through your favorite music platform, and a song hits you like a lightning bolt—raw, haunting, and impossible to shake. That’s exactly what “Jesus and John Wayne,” the new collaboration from googly eyes, Joy Oladokun, and Allison Ponthier, does. Released today, June 12, 2025, as the lead track for All Things Go’s benefit compilation supporting The Ally Coalition, this folk-rock indie pop gem is already making waves. With its poignant lyrics and soulful delivery, it’s a song that doesn’t just demand your attention—it grabs your heart and refuses to let go. Let’s dive into why this track is a must-listen and explore the artists behind it.
A Song That Reclaims Faith with Radical Love
“Jesus and John Wayne” is a powerful anthem about wrestling with faith, identity, and the often painful disconnect between spirituality and organized religion. Inspired by Kristin Kobes Du Mez’s New York Times bestselling book of the same name, the song tackles the politicization of faith and its exclusionary impact, particularly on marginalized groups like the LGBTQ+ community. The lyrics, like “I liked the teachings of Jesus so much that I followed him right out the door / When steeples kept preaching with hate on their tongues,” cut deep, reflecting a journey of deconstructing rigid beliefs while holding onto love and compassion.
Musically, the track blends the introspective strums of folk-rock with the emotive, atmospheric vibes of indie pop. The production is understated yet gripping, letting the vocals of googly eyes, Joy Oladokun, and Allison Ponthier shine. Each artist brings a unique texture—googly eyes’ raw vulnerability, Oladokun’s soulful warmth, and Ponthier’s ethereal clarity—creating a harmony that feels like a communal prayer. At 116 BPM in D Major, the song’s steady rhythm carries you through its 4:03 runtime, balancing grief and hope in a way that’s both cathartic and uplifting.
The song’s virality on social media even before its official release speaks to its resonance. Fans are already sharing snippets, drawn to its honest exploration of faith and queerness. As googly eyes shared, “There’s so much love, grief, gratitude, and deep ache wrapped into my religious journey... I hope this song resonates with those people.” It’s a message that hits home for anyone who’s felt alienated by the institutions meant to uplift them.
Meet the Artists: A Trio of Storytellers
The collaboration brings together three distinct voices in the singer-songwriter scene, each with a knack for storytelling and a commitment to authenticity.
- googly eyes: The mastermind behind the track, googly eyes (a moniker that’s as quirky as it is memorable) channels personal experiences of faith and deconstruction into their music. Their Instagram (@eyesg0ogly) and Substack (googlyeyes.substack.com) offer glimpses into their creative process, revealing a deep connection to their audience. For googly eyes, this song is a love letter to those navigating the “devastating and lonely” process of redefining spirituality.
- Joy Oladokun: A Nashville-based powerhouse, Oladokun’s music has always woven together her queer identity and spiritual reflections. With critically acclaimed albums like Proof of Life and Observations From a Crowded Room, she’s earned praise from The New York Times for her “conversational and confessional” songwriting. Oladokun, a proud queer Black woman and daughter of Nigerian immigrants, sees “Jesus and John Wayne” as a reflection of her lifelong integration of faith and queerness, noting, “I’ve never felt like God ever asked me to choose between faith and queerness. People did that.”
- Allison Ponthier: Known for her folk-pop gems like “Harshest Critic,” Ponthier brings a haunting vulnerability to the track. Her connection to the song’s themes is personal—she was reading Du Mez’s book when googly eyes approached her for the collaboration. Ponthier’s hope is that the song encourages listeners to see spirituality as a force for inclusion, asking, “Would anyone who loves us enough to create us want us to sow hatred among ourselves?” Follow her on Instagram (@allisonponthier) to catch her heartfelt updates.
A Cause Worth Supporting
This release isn’t just about the music—it’s part of a bigger mission. All Things Go, the festival behind the compilation, has partnered with The Ally Coalition (founded by Jack and Rachel Antonoff) to support LGBTQ+ youth. Every penny from the compilation, which will feature more artists from the festival’s history, goes to TAC’s work with organizations aiding homeless and at-risk queer youth. All Things Go’s commitment to diversity, seen in its female and non-binary-led lineups at festivals in D.C. and New York, makes this project a natural extension of its ethos.
The Ally Coalition’s impact is tangible, from artist-driven campaigns to on-site festival programming. Joy Oladokun, who’s currently on tour with TAC, is just one of many artists amplifying their mission. By streaming “Jesus and John Wayne,” you’re directly supporting a cause that fosters belonging and safety for those often sidelined.
Why You Need to Listen
“Jesus and John Wayne” isn’t just a song—it’s a conversation starter, a healing balm, and a call to rethink what faith can mean. Its eerie, unforgettable melody and raw lyrics make it a standout in the folk-rock and indie pop genres, perfect for fans of artists like Phoebe Bridgers or Maggie Rogers. The track’s release via Futures Music Group, a forward-thinking label home to Mt. Joy and Phantogram, ensures it’s reaching ears far and wide.
For artists out there, this is also a reminder of the power of platforms like DistroKid to share your voice. DistroKid makes it easy to distribute your music to major platforms, and you can save 7% on your membership with this link: https://distrokid.com/vip/seven/2058328. It’s a small step that could help you reach listeners who need to hear your story, just like googly eyes, Oladokun, and Ponthier are doing.
Join the Conversation
What do you think of “Jesus and John Wayne”? Does it resonate with your own experiences of faith, identity, or community? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and share this post with your friends—let’s get this song trending even more! Follow All Things Go (@allthingsgofestival) and The Ally Coalition (@theallycoalition) to stay updated on the full compilation dropping this fall. And if you’re an artist, why not take the leap and share your music with the world? Your voice matters.
