Stephen Stanley Takes the Leap with Vulnerable and Uplifting New Album ‘trustfall’ (Review)

With the arrival of his second full-length album, trustfall, Stephen Stanley doesn’t just share a new body of work—he opens a door into his soul. Now available via Capitol Christian Music Group, the deeply personal 12-track project is as much an emotional reckoning as it is a musical journey, showcasing Stanley’s signature blend of vulnerability, faith, and genre-defying creativity.

From the moment the album begins, it’s clear that trustfall is rooted in something deeper than catchy hooks or polished production. The opener, “gonna have to trust you,” gently eases listeners into Stanley’s world with soaring melodies and unflinching honesty. His voice—intimate and quietly powerful—navigates the tension between letting go and holding on, setting the tone for the rest of the record.

Tracks like “hell or high water” and “not by sight” lean into Stanley’s pop-rock influences, echoing the emotional clarity of artists like Ben Rector and the atmospheric warmth of NEEDTOBREATHE. These songs don’t offer easy answers, but they do extend an invitation to keep moving forward—through doubt, pain, and the unknown.

One of the most striking moments on the album comes with “this far down.” Both explosive and introspective, it’s a cathartic anthem for anyone who’s wrestled with rejection or their sense of self-worth. Stanley’s vocal performance is staggering, teetering between fragility and resolve in a way that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Another standout, “don’t wait on me” featuring Fleurie, brings a cinematic softness to the project. Their harmonies float like smoke, fragile and haunting, capturing the essence of delayed healing and grace that refuses to be rushed. Fleurie’s ethereal presence is the perfect counterpart to Stanley’s grounded emotion.

Throughout trustfall, Stanley never forces a message. Instead, he invites listeners into his inner world—where questions coexist with hope, and faith is something felt in the tension, not just the resolution. Tracks like “i still have you,” “your heart,” and “find some peace of mind” read like pages from a journal, each one an offering of reflection and resilience.

Closing with the title track “trustfall,” the album ends not with a full stop, but with a breath. It’s a final moment of release, of choosing surrender even when the outcome is uncertain. It’s an ending that feels like a beginning.

Running just under 40 minutes, trustfall is a rich, emotionally layered experience that solidifies Stephen Stanley as a standout voice not just in the faith space, but across the broader singer-songwriter landscape. He’s created a record for anyone who’s ever felt lost, stuck, or on the edge—and needed to know they weren’t alone. In a time when authentic storytelling is more vital than ever, trustfall is a bold, beautiful leap worth taking.