Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Indiana-based singer/songwriter Josh Garrels has become renowned for producing highly creative and intimate pieces of work throughout a career that his seen the independent artist forge his own path by releasing albums that each seem to top the previous one in terms of depth, class and ingenuity. His latest release is no exception and finds the songsmith in direct faith mode like never before with a collection of tracks that point upwards to God in praise and adoration in a way that dispenses with the intriguing spiritual ambiguity of previous releases like, using the analogy of the album title, a butterfly casting aside its pupa. As ever, Garrels lays on a sonic feast that satisfies and surprises at every turn and, over its hour plus duration, the album takes in fuller band sounds, ambient electronica, acoustic moments and even Eastern leanings (most notably in the utterly sublime "Invocation" which appears to feature former collaborators Mason Jar Music) to ensure that the man's songs are presented in as vivid and diverse a way as possible. Of course, Garrels' characteristic whispered and often falsetto vocals are what makes his music stand out and his performance on this album finds him using his voice as more of an instrument than just merely a way of communicating his message with tracks like the stirring opener "The Gift", the aforementioned "Invocation" and the simply stunning communion song "Take Eat" all being particular highlights in a masterpiece of an album full of highlights. Ultimately, this is a supremely spiritual piece of work that will reach deep into believers' hearts and help them find peace and purpose - in no small part thanks to Garrels' innate and God-given musical talents.

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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