[11] The band released their debut full-length studio album, Kids These Days, on September 9, 2014; it entered Billboard's Heatseekers chart at No.

During their touring schedule in support of Kids These Days, Judah & the Lion opened for Mat Kearney and Ben Rector.

[12][13] During their headlining tour, they performed for the first time in Sweden in 2015 and wrote a song for their fans titled "Stockholm", which would be included on their next album Folk Hop n’ Roll.

[15] Judah & the Lion released their second studio album, Folk Hop n' Roll, on March 4, 2016, putting them at No.

The album's sound was a mix of Americana, club pop, and hip-hop, which was polarizing to some of their longtime fans.

Cobb recorded the songs in a series of quick takes, aiming for performances that sounded real and raw rather than polished and perfect.

They made festival appearances at Bonnaroo, SunFest, Firefly, Governors Ball, Music Midtown,[20] and Hangout Fest.

[22] Judah & the Lion headed back into the studio in early 2017 to record four new songs dubbed the Going to Mars Collection, which, when combined with Folk Hop n' Roll, make up Folk Hop n' Roll Deluxe.

The rebooted version of the album includes the band's string quartet arrangement of "Take It All Back", "Suit and Jacket", which peaked at No.

[24] The album's seventeen songs explore thematic elements such as divorce and alcoholism intermixed with tracks covering lighter topics.

3 on the Alternative Albums chart,[26] and features tracks with Kacey Musgraves and Jon Bellion.

[28] Leading up to the album's release, the band played it on tour, also telling stories about its creation.

[29] Nashville Lifestyles Magazine praised Pep Talks, with writer Luke Levenson commenting, "The record is intensely personal, remitting lyrics and sensibilities born out of Akers' family struggles, but it's also typically innovative—giving folk instruments new latitude through hip-hop-leaning beat and avant-pop accessibility.

"[30] On August 8, 2019, the band added an eighteenth song, "Let Go", which was simultaneously announced as ESPN's College Football Anthem for the 2019 season.

[citation needed] The single "Never Give Up on You" was released on February 21, 2020, as the official club anthem of the Major League Soccer team Nashville SC.

[33] The band performed on Today in May 2019,[34] Late Night with Seth Meyers on May 2, 2019,[35] and Jimmy Kimmel Live!