Reviewed by Ian Homer

This is the Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter's sixth album under the name Gray, following on from 2014's 'Love Will Have The Final Word'. The first song "Learning" is a catchy pop-rock tune that I'm sure will get some radio airplay. "I know I can take it every day/If there's a way you can make it I won't be afraid" go the gang vocals on the refrain. It works well as an uplifting piece about confronting fear knowing God has our backs. "Sparrows" takes its inspiration from Matthew 10 where Jesus says to the disciples, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?" and again calls us to not be afraid and deals with our persistent tendency to worry since the Father holds everything in its place. "Stolen" is perhaps the weakest offering on the album - it's a tad too saccharin, but it's followed by "More Yours" which tackles many believers' tendency to try and take back control of their lives. The ambient, spacious intro and the verses are punctuated by a particularly rhythmic rock chorus. Another standout is "Death Without A Funeral", a clever allegory of love lost; a fine acoustic rendition featuring a bass drum underpinning reminiscent of a heartbeat and Jason's deft guitar playing augmented by some timely strings. All in all this is a balanced album from an artist who is maturing in his work.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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