Joy, Hope, and Soul Posted July 11, 2025 By JasminPatterson_NRT, Staff Reviewer
What You Need to Know
Following 2022's Grace In The Wilderness, which gave us the bold, faith-filled anthem "Authority (In The Name of Jesus)," Stars Go Dim has released its fourth full-length studio album, Roses. Roses is a musically diverse and hope-filled collection of songs, grounded in real life and human experience.
What It Sounds Like
In true Stars Go Dim fashion, Roses combines Pop, Funk, and Soul stylings and it's just down right fun and refreshing to hear in Christian music. There's no way you're going to listen to Roses and not move a little bit. The album opens with a celebration. "Mama Don't Lie (Alright)" is a joyful reminder to be grateful for the gift of life each day and know that with God everything will be alright. There are percussion parts that feel reminiscent of Hip Hop, chord progressions that resemble Gospel ("Down To Earth"), and horn sections and three-part harmonies in background vocals ("Jesus Works") that make this album a real treat to listen to.
Spiritual/Lyrical Highlights
Joy, faith, and hope amidst real-life human experiences is a consistent theme on Roses. The messaging in the lyrics is filled with joy and gratitude about even the simple things in life, believing you can make it even when things are hard ("A Little Light"), being present, and making space for what matters most in life ("Waste of Time.") You will definitely walk away from listening to this album feeling inspired, as if you've caught a second wind to help you take that next step no matter what you're going through in life.
Best Song On The Record
I'm giving best song to "G.I.R.L (God In Real Life)" because it captures the heart of the entire album: recognizing that God is with you and active in your everyday life. It's also one of my favorite musical moments on the album, starting with a subtle acoustic guitar and singer-songwriter vibe and ending with an epic musical interlude that will make you groove and take you to church at the same time. Frontman Chris Cleveland also shows off his vocal chops during that interlude and it's just a fun moment.
Final Word
Stars Go Dim's Roses is versatile and creative musically, as well as down-to-earth and inspirational lyrically. Listen to Roses if you need some music to make you feel good and a message to lift your spirits.
