Ryan Stevenson: ‘Fresh Start’ album review

Those in the know already regard Ryan Stevenson as a promising, hook-heavy singer-songwriter who broke big as cowriter of TobyMac’s “Speak Life.” Like many on the Gotee roster, Stevenson combines beat-driven acoustic pop, hip-hop and electronica to create a concoction that’s musically trendy and topically relevant. Chances are, listeners have already caught the lead single, “Not Forgotten,” a collaboration with Mac that’s an ideal summary of Stevenson’s sound. Yet it’s the solo “All Yours” that boasts commitment to spiritually enriching lyrics together with its dusty guitar grooves and call/response chorus echoing his commitment to Christ.  In fact, each of the ten tunes deliver when it comes to mouth-watering sounds and faith fortification, further positioning this relative newcomer as one of Christian music’s sure-to-be stars of tomorrow.