Rock/Review Stephen Stanley - trustfall
Singer/songwriter Stephen Stanley makes music with immediate emotional impact, revealing a depth of talent that comes from years of devotion to his craft. At the age of nine, the Mansfield, Georgia-based artist learned to play his mother’s guitar after suffering an accident that rendered him deaf in his left ear and quickly uncovered an innate musicality and remarkable gift for melody.
Stephen Stanley's “trustfall” is a powerful illustration of spiritual surrender, resiliency, and vulnerability. Stanley co-writes his way through the highs and lows of faith in 12 moving songs, each one serving as a stepping stone in the frequently brittle process of learning to trust when the future is uncertain. With its roots in modern Christian music, the album offers listeners both encouragement and catharsis by fusing grounded emotional storytelling with soaring rock tunes.
“trustfall” achieves a careful balancing act between anthemic strength and personal introspection from the very first notes. Songs like "gonna have to trust you" and "hell or high water" remind listeners that surrender can be a source of strength rather than weakness, especially for individuals who are on the verge of a personal or spiritual crisis. Stanley's voice, which are unvarnished, melodious, and frank, bear the weight of life experience.
“trustfall,” the album's title tune, perfectly captures the album's theme: letting go when all your instincts tell you to stay on. Many people will find great resonance in this message, particularly during uncertain times. Although Stanley doesn't give simple solutions, he does offer hope—a hope that is strengthened by uncertainty and maintained by faith.
The album's power lies in its dynamics, which include soaring choruses, ambient breaks, and tight, emotionally charged arrangements that showcase Stanley's development as a musician and a believer. “trustfall” is more than just a worship album; it's a musically accompanied personal journal that finds unquestionable strength in its vulnerability.