The roots rock band, Carrollton, will release their second project for Centricity Music, Sunlight and Shadows, September 18th. The eight-song EP was produced by Tedd T (for King & Country, Newsboys), Christopher Stevens (Michael W. Smith, Mandisa) and Carrollton, and features five original songs that were co-written by the group, along with three acoustic tunes from the Jetlag Studio sessions. These sessions allowed the band to capture a part of what they do at their live shows by stripping things back and telling stories in a more simple and intimate way. Sunlight and Shadows delivers Carrollton’s signature vocals and exceptional musicianship, while spotlighting the growth and maturity of the band since signing with the label in 2013.
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The Next Big Thing| Posted September 28, 2015
Centricity Music signees Carrollton first came on the scene in 2014 when their debut EP hit shelves and blew us all away. Their exceptional musicianship, catchy sound and deep lyrics combined to make Breathe In Deep a release you definitely wanted to hear. Now, almost a year and a half later, the band is following up with another EP, Sunlight And Shadows. This new project showcases their talents in a different way, allowing us to hear acoustic versions of some songs and full production versions of others.
"More Now" begins with the upbeat sound and faith-filled lyrics that have become a signature of sorts in Carrollton's music. "Cause I thought I was done and I almost gave up when my whole world was crashing down / now I can't shake this truth / after all I've been through / somehow, Lord, I believe in You more now," the chorus rings out. Packing a load of wisdom into a short three minute frame, "Let Love Win" is a standout track that highlights the importance of laying down our weapons and allowing love to take over. "Meant To Be" keeps the energy high while praising God for His sovereignty.
With "Tell Me," lead singer Justin's vocals shine bright as he sings a beautiful prayer for Christ to remind us of who we are. Previous single "Holding Onto You" is another standout track that speaks of trusting God in the hardest times and the confidence we have to cling to Him no matter what: "when I can't catch my breath and there's nothing left to hold onto, I'm holding onto You."
Bringing in the acoustic element, The Jetlag Sessions gives us intimate, stripped-down versions of a few new songs. "Withered" slows down tempo for a while to well fit the title, talking of a weary world and the redemption Christ brings to broken things. Southern-infused "Free To Live" shows the band's strength, mixing flawless harmonies with exceptional instrumentation before bringing the mood down one last time with "Open Wide," a heartfelt ballad of surrender.
Closing Thoughts:
Carrollton may not be an incredibly familiar name to you yet, but that should soon be changing. Despite the band's lesser known status, their talent matches that of the best in the business and blows me away with each song. In just the short time that they've been around, the group has mastered a unique sound that is sure to make fans out of anyone who hears it. Honest lyrics, strong vocals, and incredible musical skills are just a few of the things Carrollton brings to the table, and with Sunlight And Shadows, we get another taste of that. This is a band you definitely want to watch out for, and I'd be willing to call them the next big thing in Christian music. Carrollton is on the right path for sure and shows no sign of slowing down. When your sophomore release is this good, there's no telling what the future has in store.
Song To Download Now:
"Let Love Win" (Get it on iTunes here.)
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